• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mayor Calls Commanders RFK Stadium Deal ‘a BFD’ for D.C.’s Future

The NFL team makes a series of additional commitments.

Trey Hendrickson Ends $450K Holdout Without New Bengals Deal

The defensive end is seeking a raise on his $16 million 2025 salary.

Browns Push Forward on $2.4B Stadium Despite Political Obstacles

The NFL team plans a stadium groundbreaking, despite funding and legal issues.

How Sports Leagues Are Responding to NFL Headquarters Shooting

The building housing the NFL headquarters was barricaded and closed Tuesday.

Featured Today

Las Vegas sign

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Jun 10, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever injured guard Caitlin Clark (22) follows the action from the bench against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
July 24, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Injury Not Worse, but Status for Chicago, Dallas Unclear

Clark has been out since suffering a groin injury on July 15.
July 29, 2025

Mario Lemieux Trying to Reacquire Penguins 4 Years After Selling

The former NHL great looks to return to team ownership.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 9, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) hugs guard Leila Lacan (47) after a play against the Seattle Storm in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
July 24, 2025

Sun Will Play in Connecticut Next Year Amid Relocation Rumors

The team told season-ticket holders they’ll stay for 2026.
July 23, 2025

Packers Hit Record $719M in Revenue, Riding NFL’s Growth Wave

The NFL team’s annual revenue and operating profit both grow strongly.
Jul 11, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm guard Tiffany Mitchell (25) drives around Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow (24) during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena.
July 23, 2025

NFL Star Bobby Wagner Takes Ownership Stake in Seattle Storm

Sue Bird joined the ownership group last year.
Jul 23, 2025; Ashburn, VA, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders team flag flying in front of team headquarters on day one of training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park.
July 23, 2025

D.C. Nears Commanders Stadium Vote Amid Trump’s Name Push

Local government leaders try to stay focused on completing the stadium pact.