Key facts
- Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, is reportedly part of a consortium interested in an NBA expansion team in London.
- American technology billionaire Nikesh Arora is in talks to lead a separate consortium bidding for the London franchise.
- The proposed expansion team is valued at over $1 billion.
- The NBA aims to launch its European season in the latter half of 2027 with 16 teams.
- Multiple bids have been submitted, with some exceeding $1 billion.
Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, is reportedly leading a consortium that is vying with a group headed by American technology billionaire Nikesh Arora for a new NBA expansion team in London. The NBA is targeting the latter half of 2027 to launch its European league, which is proposed to include 16 teams.
Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, has assembled investors prepared to offer more than $1 billion for the London franchise. His consortium previously acquired a 49% stake in the London Spirit cricket team for £145 million. Levy's credentials include overseeing the development of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a versatile venue capable of hosting various sports and events.
The NBA has received over 120 expressions of interest from potential investors, with bids ranging from $500 million to over $1 billion. Other reported bids for European expansion include Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for London, Qatar Sports Investments for Paris, and RedBird Capital for Milan. NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum has stated that the league will review bids to identify partners who share their vision for growing basketball across the continent.