Kieran Maguire: Tottenham could launch their own NFL team as ‘£2bn’ takeover verdict explained
Tottenham could conceivably launch their own NFL team – although a £2billion investment is likely out of their price range at present.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Spurs’ links with American football.
The North London club has a £40million contract to host two NFL games per year and is reportedly eyeing a bid to host the Super Bowl after 2026.
And the Daily Mail reported last Saturday (12 February) that Spurs are now marketing their stadium as the “Home of the NFL in Europe”.
Spurs would have the backing of the NFL if they went one step further and decided to create their own team, claims Maguire.
“There’s nothing stopping them from launching an NFL team,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“They could buy out an existing franchise and transport it to London. From the NFL’s perspective, that would have some appeal.
“The challenge from Spurs’ perspective is that the asking price is likely to be north of £2bn.
“It would effectively have to be a reverse takeover because that’s close to or bigger than the value of Spurs itself.
“I don’t think the NFL owners would object. They get to make a lot of money and the opportunity to see their sport competing in a different market.
“From an operational basis, it could work. The challenge is the money it would take to buy out an existing team.
“The only other option would be if the NFL decided to expand its operation and include a couple of new teams dotted around the world.”
Tottenham are currently 8th in the Premier League.
They are next in action against league leaders Man City on Saturday (19 February).
In other news, pundit warns Antonio Conte could “ruin” Tottenham with this one decision