A number of groups are reportedly in discussions to buy the Denver Broncos, drawing interest from their former quarterback, Peyton Manning.
Manning has reportedly spoken to some of them and the two-time Super Bowl champion could also be interested in a management position.
Despite the franchise not being officially on the market, the same CBS Sports report suggests that a purchase could be completed by the spring. The team reached a $3.75 billion valuation this year.
The Broncos have been in control of the trust since former owner Pat Bowlen died in 2019. A sale was stalled due to a lawsuit in July when his daughters, Amie Bowlen Klemmer and Beth Bowlen Wallace, claimed trustees influenced their father. It was dismissed.
Ownership Appeal
David Tepper paid a record $2.3 billion for the Carolina Panthers in 2018, but a number of factors could allow the Broncos to fetch an even higher number.
- The NFL signed a collective bargaining agreement in 2020, adding two teams to the league’s playoff field and expanding the regular season.
- The league signed media rights deals in March totaling $113 billion over 11 years.
- The salary cap was lower during the pandemic, but it’s rising again in 2022.
- The league and its teams estimated an additional $270 million in revenue this year from their sports betting and gambling deals.
If Denver does bring in around $3 billion, there is speculation that other teams’ ownership groups could be interested in selling.
