• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 31, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here
Law

Potential New Broncos Owner Could Score Major Tax Breaks

  • A sale of the Denver Broncos could lead to billions in tax write-offs for the incoming owner.
  • The price for the team could reach $4 billion.
denver-broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

A sale of the Denver Broncos could lead to billions in tax write-offs for the new owner.

The NFL team is widely believed to be approaching a sale, with former quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning both reportedly interested. Robert F. Smith, who grew up in Denver, has also emerged as a potential bidder, and would be the NFL’s first Black owner, Front Office Sports reported last week. 

The team is currently owned by the Patrick D. Bowlen Trust. 

Over 90% of certain sports team properties, including player contracts, media rights, and trademarks, can be considered “intangible assets” and subject to write-offs over a 15-year amortization period.

  • A ProPublica investigation found that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer paid a 12% tax rate on $656 million in income in 2017 and 2018 combined, largely due to amortized depreciation from his $2 billion purchase of the team in 2014. 
  • Team owners Phillip Anschutz (Los Angeles Kings), Stan Kroenke (Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets), and Daniel Devos (Orlando Magic) also reportedly paid less than 20% in taxes in those years.
  • The report found that several NBA teams claimed over 90% of their value was in player contracts, which could be used for the owner’s tax benefit.

Biggest Team Sale Ever?

The team’s valuation, per Forbes, rose 17% to $3.75 billion in 2021, and a sale could reach $4 billion, sources told Front Office Sports in September, meaning tax write-offs could top $3 billion. 

The current record for a sports team sale is held by Joseph Tsai, who bought the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center operations for $3.3 billion in 2019.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Rich Paul
exclusive

Rich Paul, Max Kellerman in Talks for Show With The Ringer

“The Ringer” sold to Spotify in 2020.
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

CBS Bets Big on Chiefs-Bills Rivalry As AFC Landscape Changes

Big viewership likely awaits the revival of the NFL rivalry.
John Madden

How John Madden Became ‘America’s Nutty Football Professor’

“Once paired with Summerall, Madden found his true path.”

Featured Today

Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani Card Market Is Surging—With No Signs of Slowing

Cards have spiked hundreds of thousands of dollars from their initial value.
September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium
October 26, 2025

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

Disney, YouTube Settle Suit Over Poached Exec With Deep ESPN Ties

A carriage dispute between Disney and YouTube remains ongoing.
FuboTV
October 29, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Deal Closes After DOJ Ends Antitrust Review

The deal creates the sixth-largest pay-TV company in the U.S.
Oct 25, 2025; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) before NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 Practice and Qualifying at Martinsville Speedway.
October 29, 2025

NASCAR Star Kyle Busch Sues Pacific Life Over $8.5M Insurance Scam

Busch says he lost $8.58 million from Pacific Life.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
October 29, 2025

Rozier’s Lawyer Says Missed 2023 Games Cost Him Shoe Money

Rozier had a Puma deal through the end of the 2022–23 season.
October 28, 2025

The $80 Million F1 ‘Crashgate’ Case Heads to Court

Massa placed second to Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 drivers’ championship.
Terry Rozier
October 24, 2025

NBA Strongly Denies Quietly Suspending Terry Rozier in 2023

Brian Windhorst appeared to walk back his comments Friday morning.
Rozier
October 23, 2025

Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups Will Fight Gambling Cases

Both disputed prosecutors’ versions of events Thursday night.