Sunday, May 10, 2026

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

The Eagles are playing in yet another Super Bowl, thanks to the franchise’s surprising techniques around ownership, the salary cap, and on-field strategy.

Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

The Eagles have arrived at their second Super Bowl in three seasons, and third since they won the Lombardi Trophy in February 2018. The franchise continues to reinvent championship roster construction and the ownership structure itself.

In December, the NFL formally approved the sale of an 8% minority stake that valued the Eagles at $8.3 billion. While Philadelphia’s majority owner Jeffrey Lurie considered bringing in private equity partners under new league rules, he ultimately opted for two family investment groups that bought in separately.

That new valuation is a bump from the roughly $6.75 billion estimated by several preseason lists (the Cowboys were No. 1 at around $10 billion).

The latest stakes—totaling roughly $664 million—are more than triple the $185 million Lurie paid for the club in 1994. Lurie, 72, still owns 85% of the Eagles, with other minority investors making up the other 7% or so.  

During the postseason, the Eagles had the rare opportunity to host—and win—three home playoff games at Lincoln Financial Field. That success in January came after a 14–3 regular season and NFC East championship that earned the Eagles the conference’s No. 2 seed.

While star running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts get the credit for performing on the field, Philadelphia boasts an all-star front office led by executive vice president and GM Howie Roseman.

Roseman lost personnel decision-making power during the Chip Kelly era (2013–2015) but since returning in 2016 has become a salary-cap wizard en route to building on one of the league’s most feared rosters. Given the Eagles’ recent success, Roseman, 49, should likely be in line for another contract extension (in 2022, he signed one through the 2025 NFL season). 

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said Monday at Super Bowl Opening Night. 

The main question mark is sustainability: The franchise already has more than $1.2 billion in cap allocations between 2025 and 2030—the most in the NFL. Roseman has been a proponent of using void years—which stretch a player’s cap hit past the seasons included in his contract—to ensure additional space in the short term.

Hurts, who signed a five-year, $255 million extension in 2023, is by far the highest-paid player on the team with an average annual salary value of $51 million through the 2028 season. 

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is nearing the end of the five-year, $35 million contract he signed in 2021. His $7 million annual salary had him just outside the 10 highest-paid coaches in the NFL before the season. (“His future is going to be great,” Lurie said this week.)

A win over the Chiefs would virtually guarantee extensions and big raises for the Eagles’ main cast. But, given it would be just the third major professional sports championship for the city of Philadelphia since 1983, a victory could also give Lurie leverage as he considers future stadium options, with the Eagles’ lease at Lincoln Financial Field set to expire in 2032. 

At Super Bowl Opening Night, Lurie was asked about the idea of building a dome or stadium with a retractable roof.

“I love outdoor football,” he said. “I love it. I love the cold games. I like the hot games. I like the snow games. On the other hand, does Philadelphia deserve to host the Super Bowl? The NCAA Final Four? Lots of great events. It’s an incredible sports city. Does it deserve that? Yes, so you’ve got to balance all of those things.”

If the Eagles dethrone the Chiefs and win Super Bowl LIX, the city of Philadelphia might let Lurie do anything he wants.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rolapp: PGA Tour’s Social Media Policy Is From NFL’s Playbook

The PGA Tour’s new social media policy increases content allowances.

Trump Rips NFL Streaming Costs: ‘Killing the Golden Goose’

U.S. President Donald Trump once again hit out against the NFL.
NFL Referee Carl Cheffers signals a penalty during the Buffalo Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Orchard Park on Jan. 22.

NFL and Refs Ratify New 7-Year CBA

The seven-year deal eliminates the need for replacement officials.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell holds a Terrible Towel during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

All Eyes on Networks, Streamers as NFL Readies Schedule Release

The highly anticipated slate will drop on Thursday.

Featured Today

Matt Palumb

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.
Tottenham Hotspur
May 6, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League
May 5, 2026

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
May 5, 2026

Dallas Wings Coach: Team Will Play 2027 Games at Mavericks’ Arena

The Wings CEO said that the move is not final.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban walks off the court after the game against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
May 8, 2026

Why Mark Cuban Bought Into a Canadian Basketball Team

“Canada is producing more stars than any other country.”
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
May 4, 2026

Bulls Hire Hawks SVP Bryson Graham in Effort to Return to Relevance

Graham spent 15 years working for the Pelicans.
Apr 15, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Reilly (44) blocks a shot as he battles with Ottawa Senators center Nick Cousions (21) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre.
May 4, 2026

As Parent Company Pares Back, Maple Leafs Retool Front Office

The team has not advanced to the conference finals since 2002.
May 3, 2026

Valkyries Cut the Player They Acquired in Flau’jae Johnson Deal

The Golden State Valkyries acquired Marta Suárez and a future second-round pick on draft night for Flau’jae Johnson.
May 3, 2026

Indiana Fever Accused of Using AI Again After Caitlin Clark Remark

It’s not the first time the organization’s been accused of using AI.