Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has entered a high‑stakes competition to acquire the NBA Europe franchise that will be based in London. He is not pursuing the deal alone; a rival consortium that includes the current Spurs owners, the Lewis family, has also thrown its hat into the ring. According to a report from Sky News, the Lewis family is aligned with a broader partnership headed by the Checketts family, a group that has a track record of investing in major North American sports properties. The Checketts are well‑known in the sports business world for their stakes in Real Salt Lake, a Major League Soccer club, and the St.
Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Their involvement adds significant credibility and financial muscle to the bid. Joining them in this venture is the Eccles family, which holds interests in English side Burnley FC and the Spanish club RCD Espanyol.
Together, these three families form a diversified sports‑investment consortium that aims to secure the coveted London slot in the newly announced NBA Europe league. Levy, on his part, is not a newcomer to the world of trans‑Atlantic sports deals. Earlier reports indicated that he is part of a separate consortium that includes Liberty Global, a major telecommunications conglomerate, and MSP Sports Capital, a firm that previously backed McLaren Racing. This alternative group is also vying for the same franchise, meaning the auction has at least two serious contenders with deep pockets and extensive experience in managing professional sports teams.
The race for the London franchise is especially intense because the city has quickly become the most desirable location among the twelve new NBA Europe teams slated for launch. The league’s expansion plan includes clubs in other European capitals such as Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome, but London’s global profile, commercial appeal and large fan base give it a distinct edge.
The NBA’s strategy behind the European expansion is to tap into a multi‑billion‑dollar market by selling franchise rights, media deals and sponsorship packages. The first wave of transactions is expected to close within the next few weeks, making the current bidding process a race against time. Levy’s involvement in the bid comes after a long and influential tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. He stepped down as executive chairman in September 2025 after nearly a quarter‑century at the helm.
While the official statement from both Levy and the club framed his departure as a voluntary resignation, many observers interpreted the move as being forced by the board, suggesting that internal politics may have played a role in his decision to explore new ventures. The broader context of this deal reflects a growing trend of wealthy American families and investment groups purchasing stakes in UK sports entities, particularly football clubs.
Over the past decade, we have seen a surge in cross‑Atlantic ownership structures, with investors attracted by the Premier League’s global reach and the lucrative commercial opportunities it presents. The NBA Europe project is poised to accelerate this pattern, offering a new avenue for capital inflow and international brand exposure. If Levy’s consortium succeeds, it could signal a shift in how traditional football executives approach diversification, moving beyond the domestic game into the fast‑growing basketball market. Conversely, a victory for the Checketts‑Lewis‑Eccles alliance would reinforce the idea that multi‑sport investment groups can leverage synergies across different leagues and continents.
Beyond the business implications, the establishment of an NBA franchise in London promises to enrich the city’s sporting landscape. Fans will gain access to live NBA games, a development that could inspire a new generation of British basketball players and increase participation at the grassroots level. The partnership with broadcasters such as Sky Sports, which will stream games both on traditional TV and via contract‑free streaming platforms, ensures that the product reaches a wide audience.
In summary, the competition for the London NBA Europe team is shaping up to be a landmark moment in trans‑atlantic sports investment. Daniel Levy, backed by Liberty Global and MSP Sports Capital, is pitted against a consortium led by the Checketts family and bolstered by the Lewis and Eccles families. Both sides bring a blend of experience, financial strength, and strategic vision to the table.
As the auction draws to a close, stakeholders across football, basketball and the broader sports business community will be watching closely to see which group ultimately secures the rights to bring the NBA’s brand of high‑octane basketball to the heart of the United Kingdom.