How Rupert Murdoch Changed Sports Media Forever
Todd Boehly is in the process of setting a record for the most expensive team sale ever in his consortium’s $5.2 billion purchase of Chelsea FC.
The Denver Broncos, however, are not far behind, with recent reports projecting the NFL team could sell for north of $5 billion.
The latest estimate exceeds previous reports that the team would go for around $4 billion, which would still break the record sale for a U.S. professional sports team — the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets sold for $2.35 billion in 2019.
Boehly, an owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Sparks, and Dodgers with an estimated $4.5 billion net worth, is also a bidder for the Broncos. While Boehly could potentially break two team-sale records, Rob Walton, the son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is considered by some outlets as the Broncos’ frontrunner.
Walton reportedly visited the Broncos team facilities on Monday.
- The 17th-wealthiest person in the world as of Tuesday, Walton’s estimated net worth is $67.5 billion.
- Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris — whose group includes Earvin “Magic” Johnson — joins Walton and Boehly as ownership candidates, along with two other anonymous groups. Harris’ net worth is an estimated $5.3 billion.
Next Steps
The team aims to have the sale done by the start of the season, which begins on Sept. 8. The proceeds will reportedly be split between members of the late Pat Bowlen’s family, whose trust put the team up for sale in February after 38 years of ownership.
