Daniel Levy, the former long-serving chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, is among bidders vying to acquire the London-based franchise in the new NBA Europe competition, according to reporting this week.
High-profile bidders line up for prized London slot
Sky News has reported Mr Levy is part of a consortium competing with a group that includes Spurs’ current owners, the Lewis family. That rival offer is understood to be led by the Checketts family, with the Eccles family also named as a partner in that consortium.
The Checketts have prior experience investing in professional sport, including Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the NHL’s St Louis Blues. The Eccles family are listed as shareholders in Burnley FC and Spanish club Espanyol.
Why London matters to NBA Europe
London has emerged as the most coveted location among the 12 new franchises planned for the NBA Europe venture. Other cities earmarked for teams include Berlin, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome. The NBA is expected to generate billions by selling the rights to each of the new clubs, with initial transactions anticipated imminently.
Aside from Levy and the Checketts-led group, other bidders reportedly include an investment consortium featuring Liberty Global and MSP Sports Capital, the latter a former backer of McLaren Racing. All are competing for the single London franchise being offered under the NBA Europe expansion.
Local implications and unanswered questions
The arrival of an NBA Europe club would have broad implications for the capital. Potential effects include:
- Increased sporting tourism and match-day footfall in host neighbourhoods.
- Commercial opportunities for local hospitality and retail businesses.
- Questions over venue selection, scheduling and integration with existing sports calendars in London.
At present, official details on the franchise’s proposed home arena, ownership structure, or operational plans have not been released publicly. The league’s push to establish a transcontinental franchise model means these matters will be central to any accepted bid.
“Stepped down”
The news also recalls Mr Levy’s departure from Tottenham. He left his role as executive chairman in September 2025 after almost 25 years in charge. Although Spurs and Levy described his exit as having "stepped down" in official communications, it was widely reported at the time that the decision had effectively been forced.
Who are the major players named so far?
Several prominent families and investment groups have been linked with bids for the London franchise. Presented below is a summary of those publicly reported:
| Consortium / Individual | Notable sporting ties |
|---|---|
| Checketts-led group (includes Lewis family and Eccles family) | Real Salt Lake (MLS), St Louis Blues (NHL); Eccles: Burnley FC, Espanyol |
| Daniel Levy-linked consortium | Reported partnership with Liberty Global and MSP Sports Capital |
What comes next?
The league is understood to be moving rapidly. Sources indicate that the first sales of team rights could be announced in the coming weeks, beginning the formation of NBA Europe’s club landscape. For Londoners, the immediate questions will be about where the team will play and how ticketing, travel and local partnerships will be handled.
For now, bidders remain confidential beyond the families and groups reported. There has been no official confirmation from the NBA or the named parties about the status of offers or the identity of a preferred bidder for the London franchise.
As the story develops, answers on venue selection and the winning consortium’s plans for community engagement and investment in grassroots basketball will be closely watched by fans and civic leaders alike.
Reporting from London.
