Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has entered a high‑profile contest to acquire the NBA Europe franchise that will be based in London. He is not pursuing the deal alone; instead, he is up against a powerful consortium that includes the club’s current owners, the Lewis family, as well as several other prominent sports‑investment groups. According to a report from Sky News, the Lewis family is aligned with a broader partnership headed by the Checketts family.
The Checketts have a long history of involvement in North American professional sports, having owned or taken significant stakes in clubs such as Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Their experience in managing multi‑sport enterprises is seen as a key advantage in the bid for the London NBA team. Adding further depth to the consortium is the Eccles family, who already hold shareholdings in English side Burnley FC and Spanish club RCD Espanyol.
Their participation links the bid to a wider European football network, potentially opening cross‑promotional opportunities and shared resources across the different sporting properties. Levy’s own consortium is reportedly being backed by Liberty Global, a multinational telecommunications firm, and MSP Sports Capital, a private‑equity vehicle that previously supported McLaren Racing.
This alliance brings together media distribution expertise, substantial financial muscle, and a proven track record in high‑performance sport investment. Both consortia are therefore positioned as serious contenders in the auction process that the NBA has launched for its twelve new European franchises. The NBA’s European expansion plan is ambitious. Twelve cities across the continent—Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and others—have been earmarked for new teams, with London emerging as the most coveted market.
The league hopes to monetize the venture by selling franchise rights, projecting multi‑billion‑dollar revenues once the teams are operational. The first round of transactions is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks, making the current bidding round a decisive moment for investors. Levy’s involvement in the bid is notable because he stepped down from his role as Spurs executive chairman in September 2025 after nearly a quarter‑century at the helm of the club. While the official statement from both Levy and Tottenham described his departure as a voluntary resignation, insiders suggested that the move was precipitated by external pressures and a desire to explore new opportunities, such as this NBA venture.
The competition between Levy’s group and the Lewis‑Checketts‑Eccles consortium reflects a broader trend of wealthy American families and global investors seeking footholds in the UK’s sports landscape. Over the past decade, we have seen a surge in cross‑border ownership structures, with foreign capital flowing into Premier League clubs, Championship sides, and now, potentially, into basketball franchises that will bring the NBA brand to European fans. If either bid succeeds, the new London team will join a slate of sister clubs spread across major European capitals, each expected to host games that blend the NBA’s entertainment spectacle with local cultural flavors.
The league’s strategy includes leveraging existing broadcasting partnerships—such as its deal with Sky Sports—to deliver live games, playoffs, and ancillary content to a massive audience. Sky Sports has already promoted the upcoming NBA Europe schedule, promising contract‑free streaming options and encouraging viewers to switch to the platform for seamless access. Beyond the financial and logistical considerations, the launch of an NBA franchise in London carries significant sporting implications. It will provide a pathway for British and European basketball talent to showcase their skills on a global stage, potentially accelerating the development of the sport at the grassroots level.
Moreover, the presence of a high‑profile team could inspire new fan engagement, corporate sponsorships, and community outreach programs that mirror the NBA’s successful model in the United States. In summary, Daniel Levy’s bid for the NBA Europe London team pits him against a well‑connected consortium that includes the current Spurs owners and seasoned sports investors. Both sides bring substantial resources and strategic vision to the table, and the outcome will likely shape the future of professional basketball in the United Kingdom. As the NBA prepares to roll out its European franchise network, all eyes will be on London, a city poised to become the flagship of the league’s ambitious transatlantic expansion.