Daniel Levy, the former Tottenham chairman, is mounting a challenge to acquire the NBA's London-based European franchise, setting him on a collision course with the current Spurs proprietors, the Lewis family.
According to Sky News, the Lewises have joined a consortium spearheaded by the Checketts family to lodge a formal bid in the competitive auction process. The Checketts family brings extensive experience in sports ownership, having held stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Hockey League's St Louis Blues.
Completing the three-part consortium is the Eccles family, who hold shareholdings in English football club Burnley FC and Spanish outfit Espanyol alongside the Checketts.
Levy, who departed his position as Spurs executive chairman in September 2025 following nearly a quarter-century in the role, has assembled his own bidding group. His consortium partners include Liberty Global and MSP Sports Capital, the latter having previously backed McLaren Racing. Sky News has already documented Levy's participation in this competing offer.
The London franchise has emerged as the most coveted of the 12 new NBA European teams being established. Other cities receiving franchises include Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome, yet the capital's market appeal has proven exceptional.
The NBA is targeting substantial revenues through the sale of these franchise rights, with initial transactions anticipated within weeks. According to Sportico, the league has received bids of at least $500 million for each of its 12 target cities, with multiple bids surpassing $1 billion. More than 20 basketball and football clubs have submitted offers across the bidding process.
The proposed competition structure will feature 12 permanent franchises alongside four qualification spots, according to reporting from The Athletic. At least six EuroLeague clubs are reportedly considering participation in the new league.
London's existing professional basketball outfit, the London Lions, is pursuing a permanent license to compete in NBA Europe. The franchise has positioned itself as a candidate to become one of the league's founding members.
The broader expansion into European markets reflects a wider trend of wealthy American families and investors acquiring stakes in UK sports franchises, particularly within football.
Regarding Levy's departure from Spurs, the official narrative centred on his decision to step down from the executive chairman role. However, reporting at the time suggested the outcome was not entirely voluntary, with the decision effectively imposed upon him.
What comes next
The NBA intends to announce the new franchise owners before the year concludes, though the league's launch timeline remains uncertain. According to CNBC reporting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed confidence that a deal with EuroLeague can still be finalised, and the NBA and FIBA have reaffirmed their commitment to proceeding with NBA Europe. The league continues to target October 2027 for launch, though some reports suggest a potential delay until 2028.
