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 him directly against a group that includes the club’s present owners, the Lewis family. According to a report from Sky News, the Lewis family is part of a broader investment consortium that is being led by the Checketts family, a group with a long‑standing pedigree in North American professional sports. The Checketts have built a portfolio that spans several major leagues. They own Real Salt Lake, a Major League Soccer club that competes in the United States, and they also hold a stake in the St.
Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Their experience in managing and growing sports properties gives the consortium a credible edge in the auction for the London NBA Europe team.
Joining the Checketts and the Lewis family in this bid is the Eccles family, another well‑known name in European football ownership. The Eccleses already own shares in Burnley Football Club and the Spanish side RCD Espanyol, and they are aligning their resources with the Checketts to present a unified front in the bidding process. Levy, meanwhile, is not entering the fray alone. Earlier reporting from Sky News indicated that he is working alongside Liberty Global, a multinational telecommunications firm, and MSP Sports Capital, an investment vehicle that previously backed McLaren Racing.
This alternative consortium is also vying for the coveted London franchise, meaning that the final decision will come down to a close contest between two heavyweight groups. London has quickly become the most sought‑after location among the twelve new NBA Europe franchises that the league plans to launch. The other cities slated to host teams include Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome, but the capital’s global profile, commercial appeal and massive fan base give it a distinct advantage. The NBA’s strategy is to monetize the league’s European expansion by selling franchise rights for billions of dollars, with the first deals expected to be sealed within the next few weeks.
The competition for the London franchise reflects a broader trend of wealthy American families and investment groups seeking footholds in the UK sports market, particularly in football and now basketball. Over the past decade, we have seen a surge of cross‑Atlantic capital flowing into Premier League clubs, Championship sides and other sporting assets, driven by the promise of lucrative broadcasting deals, sponsorship opportunities and the global reach of sport. Levy’s own departure from Tottenham adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. After almost a quarter‑century at the helm of the football club, he stepped down as executive chairman in September 2025.
While the official narrative from both Spurs and Levy framed the exit as a voluntary resignation, many observers interpreted the move as being forced by the club’s board and shareholders. This background suggests that Levy is now looking to channel his extensive experience in sports administration into a new arena. If successful, Levy’s consortium would bring a deep understanding of the UK sporting landscape, combined with the financial muscle of Liberty Global and the strategic insight of MSP Sports Capital. Their bid could potentially leverage existing relationships with broadcasters, sponsors and local authorities to accelerate the development of a world‑class basketball venue in London and to build a fan base from scratch.
On the other hand, the Checketts‑Lewis‑Eccles partnership offers a blend of North American sports franchise expertise and European football ownership experience. Their track record of operating clubs in both the MLS and the NHL could prove valuable in navigating the regulatory, commercial and cultural challenges of launching a brand‑new NBA team in a city that has never hosted a professional basketball franchise before. Both consortia will need to address a series of practical questions: where will the team play its home games, how will ticket pricing be structured, what will the marketing strategy look like, and how will the club integrate into the existing fabric of London’s sporting calendar?
The NBA has hinted that the league will work closely with the winning owners to ensure that the new franchise meets the league’s standards for facilities, fan experience and community outreach. The stakes are high not only for the bidders but also for the NBA itself. The league is betting that a successful rollout of its European clubs will open up new revenue streams, increase its global footprint and create a pipeline of talent that could eventually feed into the NBA in North America. By establishing a presence in major European capitals, the NBA hopes to tap into the continent’s deep basketball culture, while also introducing the sport to new audiences.
For fans in the UK, the prospect of watching NBA‑level basketball live on home soil is an exciting development. The league has already begun to promote the upcoming season through a series of media partnerships, including live broadcasts on Sky Sports and streaming options that do not require a traditional contract. This accessibility is designed to build momentum ahead of the inaugural games, which are expected to feature a mix of star players, local talent and promotional events aimed at engaging the community. In summary, Daniel Levy’s bid to acquire the London NBA Europe franchise sets the stage for a compelling showdown between two powerful investment groups.
Whether the former Spurs chairman’s alliance with Liberty Global and MSP Sports Capital or the Checketts‑Lewis‑Eccles consortium emerges victorious, the outcome will shape the future of professional basketball in the United Kingdom and could serve as a blueprint for further expansion of the NBA’s global ambitions.