Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has entered a high‑stakes bidding war to acquire the NBA Europe franchise that will be based in London. He is not pursuing the purchase alone; he is up against a powerful consortium that includes the current Spurs owners, the Lewis family, as well as several other prominent sports‑investment groups. According to a report from Sky News, the Lewis family has joined forces with the Checketts family to form a joint venture that has formally submitted an offer for the London team as part of the league’s ongoing auction process. The Checketts are no strangers to professional sport ownership.
They have previously held stakes in the Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake and the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, giving them a solid track record of managing and growing sports properties across North America.
Adding another layer to the consortium is the Eccles family, which already holds interests in English football club Burnley FC and the Spanish club RCD Espanyol. Their involvement means the consortium brings together expertise from both football and North‑American sports markets, potentially creating a cross‑continental synergy that could benefit the new NBA Europe franchise.
Levy, on the other hand, is reportedly working with a separate group that includes Liberty Global, a major telecommunications conglomerate, and MSP Sports Capital, a firm that previously backed McLaren Racing. This alternative consortium is also in the running, making the competition for the London franchise particularly intense. The London franchise is widely regarded as the most coveted of the twelve new NBA Europe teams that the league plans to launch. The other cities slated to receive teams include Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome.
London’s appeal stems from its status as a global financial hub, its large and diverse population, and its well‑developed sports infrastructure, all of which promise strong ticket sales, lucrative sponsorship deals, and significant media rights revenue. The NBA’s strategic push into Europe is aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in new revenue streams. By selling franchise rights and establishing local partnerships, the league hopes to tap into a massive fan base that has traditionally followed football and other sports. The first batch of franchise transactions is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks, setting the stage for a rapid rollout of the new teams.
Levy’s involvement in the bidding process comes after he stepped down as Spurs’ executive chairman in September 2025, ending a 25‑year tenure at the football club. While the official statement from both the club and Levy framed his departure as a voluntary resignation, many observers interpreted the move as being forced by the board, suggesting a possible shift in his professional focus toward broader sports‑investment opportunities. The competition for the London NBA franchise reflects a broader trend of wealthy American families and investment groups acquiring stakes in UK sports entities, particularly football clubs. This influx of foreign capital has been reshaping the ownership landscape, bringing in new financial resources, advanced analytics, and global marketing expertise.
If Levy’s consortium succeeds, it could signal a new era for the club, potentially leveraging his extensive experience in football administration to build a world‑class basketball operation. Conversely, a victory for the Lewis‑Checketts‑Eccles alliance would combine deep local knowledge of the Spurs organization with proven North‑American sports management skills, possibly creating a hybrid model that blends European fan engagement with American franchise economics.
Beyond the business implications, the arrival of an NBA team in London promises to boost the sport’s popularity across the UK. It could inspire a new generation of British basketball players, increase youth participation rates, and provide additional content for broadcasters. Sky Sports, which holds the broadcasting rights for the NBA in the UK, is already promoting the upcoming season with a suite of streaming options, including contract‑free access via its NOW platform. Fans can look forward to a packed schedule of regular‑season games, followed by playoffs that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The league’s marketing machine is also expected to roll out a series of community outreach programs, school visits, and grassroots initiatives designed to embed basketball more firmly in the British sporting culture. In summary, the battle for the London NBA Europe franchise pits Daniel Levy and his partners against a consortium that includes the Lewis family, the Checketts, and the Eccles. Both sides bring distinct strengths—Levy’s deep football administration background and the consortium’s proven track record in North‑American sports ownership.
The outcome will not only determine who controls a valuable new sports asset but also shape the future trajectory of professional basketball in the United Kingdom.