Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has entered a high‑stakes contest to acquire the NBA Europe franchise that will be based in London, pitting himself against a powerful consortium that includes the current Spurs owners, the Lewis family. According to a report from Sky News, the Lewis family is aligned with a broader investment group led by the Checketts family, which has formally lodged a bid as part of the ongoing auction process for the coveted franchise. The Checketts family is no stranger to professional sports ownership. Their portfolio already includes a stake in Real Salt Lake, a Major League Soccer club based in Utah, as well as an investment in the St.
Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Their experience in managing teams across different sports markets gives them a solid foundation for entering the NBA Europe landscape. Joining the Checketts and the Lewises in this venture is the Eccles family, another well‑known name in football circles. The Eccles own shares in Burnley Football Club, a club that has oscillated between the Premier League and the Championship, and they also hold a stake in RCD Espanyol, a historic club from Barcelona, Spain.
This triad of families—Checketts, Lewis, and Eccles—forms a consortium that combines trans‑Atlantic sports expertise with deep roots in the European football scene. Levy, on the other hand, is not entering the fray alone.
Earlier reporting from Sky News indicated that he is part of a separate consortium that includes Liberty Global, a major international telecommunications company, and MSP Sports Capital, a private‑equity firm that previously backed McLaren Racing in Formula 1. This alternative group is also vying for the London NBA franchise, making the bidding war a multi‑layered contest between seasoned sports investors and a high‑profile football executive. London has quickly emerged as the most sought‑after location among the twelve new NBA Europe teams slated to launch across the continent. Other cities slated to receive franchises include Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome.
The capital’s global profile, large population, and established sports infrastructure make it a prime market for the NBA’s ambitious expansion plan. The NBA’s European rollout is designed to generate billions of dollars in revenue through the sale of franchise rights, sponsorship deals, broadcasting contracts and ancillary merchandise. The league expects the first financial transactions to be finalized in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a new era of professional basketball that blends American-style entertainment with European market dynamics. The stakes are high not only financially but also culturally.
The NBA hopes to tap into the growing appetite for basketball across Europe, where the sport has seen a surge in participation and viewership in recent years. By establishing teams in major European capitals, the league aims to create local fan bases, develop homegrown talent, and forge new commercial partnerships that will sustain long‑term growth.
Levy’s involvement adds a compelling narrative to the proceedings. He stepped down as Spurs’ executive chairman in September 2025 after nearly a quarter‑century at the helm, a departure that was officially described as a voluntary resignation but widely interpreted as being prompted by external pressures. His extensive experience in managing a top‑flight football club—overseeing stadium projects, commercial deals and community initiatives—could prove valuable in navigating the complexities of launching a new basketball franchise in a competitive sports market.
The broader context of American investors acquiring stakes in UK sports entities also frames this story. Over the past decade, wealthy U.S.
families and investment groups have increasingly turned their attention to British football clubs, purchasing partial or full ownership of teams ranging from Premier League giants to lower‑division sides. This trend reflects a belief that the UK’s sports ecosystem offers attractive returns, strong brand equity, and opportunities for cross‑border marketing. If Levy’s consortium succeeds, it would mark a significant diversification of his portfolio, moving from football administration into basketball ownership.
Conversely, a victory for the Checketts‑Lewis‑Eccles group would underscore the growing influence of trans‑national investment families that already have a foothold in multiple sports properties. Regardless of the outcome, the upcoming NBA Europe season promises to be a landmark moment for basketball fans across the continent. The league has already begun promoting the new franchises through a series of media campaigns, including scheduled broadcasts on Sky Sports and streaming options that do not require a traditional contract. Fans can look forward to live coverage of the regular season and the playoffs, with the league promising high‑quality production values and interactive digital experiences.
In addition to the on‑court action, the NBA is leveraging its brand to introduce ancillary content such as player interviews, behind‑the‑scenes documentaries, and community outreach programs aimed at encouraging youth participation in basketball. The league’s strategy mirrors its previous expansions into markets like China and Canada, where it combined elite athletic competition with localized fan engagement.
The competition for the London franchise is therefore more than a simple business transaction; it represents a convergence of sports, media, and cultural trends that could reshape the entertainment landscape in the United Kingdom. Whether the winning bid comes from Levy’s Liberty Global‑MSP partnership or the Checketts‑Lewis‑Eccles consortium, the eventual owner will inherit a platform with the potential to generate significant economic impact, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of basketball enthusiasts in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.