Floyd Mayweather Eyes $700 Million Investment for 10% of NY Giants.
Boxing icon Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. is reportedly putting together a group of investors to buy a 10% minority stake in the NFL's New York Giants for about $700 million. This news, first shared by TMZ Sports, suggests that the iconic team is valued at around $7 billion.
The Giants' current owners, the Mara and Tisch families, have recently started looking into selling a non-controlling stake in the franchise, reflecting the soaring valuations of NFL teams and the interest from new investors wanting a piece of America's most profitable sports league. Mayweather's interest highlights how prominent figures and private investment groups are eager to invest in NFL teams following changes in ownership rules. If this deal goes through, it could make Mayweather one of the few former athletes to step into NFL ownership, while also giving the Giants a hefty cash boost, all while the Mara/Tisch family keeps control.
Background on Giants Ownership and Reasons for Sale
The New York Giants have a rich history, being one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, established in 1925 by Tim Mara. The team has stayed within the Mara family for decades. In 1991, business mogul Preston Robert "Bob" Tisch acquired a 50% stake in the Giants, leading to a shared family ownership that continues today.
Currently, John Mara, Tim Mara's grandson, is the team president and co-owner, while Steve Tisch, Bob Tisch's son, serves as chairman and co-owner. Both families effectively hold equal control over the franchise. Notably, the Giants have made it clear that they are not looking to sell a majority stake or give up control; any sale will only involve a limited partnership, ensuring the Mara and Tisch families remain in charge.
LATEST: Kanye West & Bianca Censori's Movie Reported to Have $25M Budget.
Did you know? Actresses Rooney and Kate Mara are actually great-granddaughters of Tim Mara. Their dad is the vice president of player personnel for the New York Giants, but that’s not all. Their mom, Kathleen McNulty Rooney, is part of the Rooney family that has owned the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1933.
In February 2025, the Giants' ownership announced they brought in Moelis & Company, an investment bank, to look into selling a "minority, non-controlling stake" in the team. They didn’t share the official reason for this move, but the timing gives us some hints.
This comes just a few months after NFL owners approved a new policy in August 2024 that lets private equity funds and institutional investors buy limited stakes (up to 10%) in teams. This change has made it way easier for owners to cash in on part of their equity at record-high values while still keeping control.
Franchise Valuation and Market Context
If it goes through, selling 10% of the Giants could set a new standard for NFL franchise valuations. The Giants are regularly listed among the league's top teams in terms of value. Recent estimates suggest their worth is between $7.3 billion and $7.85 billion. To put that in perspective, the Giants have clinched four Super Bowl titles (plus several NFL championships before the Super Bowl era), which adds to their historical significance and brand strength.
In 2022, the Denver Broncos were sold for a record-breaking $4.65 billion to the Walton-Penner group, who are heirs to the Walmart empire. That record was surpassed in mid-2023 when the Washington Commanders were sold to Josh Harris's group for $6.05 billion. Those were full franchise sales. On the flip side, recent minority stake deals have suggested even higher overall valuations for franchises. For instance, in December 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles sold two minority stakes (totaling 8% of the team) to two affluent investor families, with valuations of $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion.
An interesting comparison can be made with the San Francisco 49ers, another legendary franchise that’s exploring a minority sale. Just days before the Giants' news broke, it was reported that the 49ers are looking to sell a 10% stake with a target valuation of $9 billion. Essentially, both the Giants and 49ers are pushing the boundaries of what minority shares in an NFL team can command in the current market. For reference, the Dallas Cowboys, the most valuable franchise, is estimated to be worth between $9 billion and $10 billion, although no part of the Cowboys is up for sale right now.
Floyd Mayweather's Business Ventures and NFL Aspirations
Floyd Mayweather Jr., known for his flawless 50–0 boxing record, is a household name not just for his skills in the ring but also for his lavish lifestyle—hence the nickname "Money." Over his lengthy boxing career, he raked in around $1.1 billion from fights and endorsements, making him one of the richest athletes in history. But his success extends beyond boxing; he also made waves in the business world. By launching Mayweather Promotions, he eliminated the middlemen and secured a bigger slice of the pie from his fights. This smart strategy turned major matchups, like those against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor, into nine-figure earnings, significantly increasing his net worth, which is estimated at $500 million.
With this background, it makes sense that Mayweather is eyeing a stake in an NFL team. Reports from TMZ Sports indicate that he and his business partner, Meyer Orbach, are working on an offer for a 10% share in the Giants.
RELATED: Chiefs May Consider Cutting Travis Kelce to Free Up Salary Cap Space.
Orbach is a well-known real estate mogul and has experience in sports ownership, holding nearly 20% of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. Their bid is rumored to be around $700 million, and they've already put at least $200 million into escrow to show they're serious. They’re also looking to bring in another wealthy investor to strengthen their proposal. When asked about their plans, Orbach played it cool but hinted at their goals, saying, "My partners and I are always looking at different opportunities, including ownership of sports teams. I can't comment further than that."
Mayweather isn't just eyeing the NFL; he's also been busy building a varied investment portfolio lately. Here are some of his standout business moves:
Real Estate Ventures:
Mayweather has really gone all in on real estate. In late 2024, he made waves by snagging over 60 properties in New York City, adding more than 1,000 housing units to his collection with a jaw-dropping $402 million deal. He’s also teamed up with developers for big projects, like a casino proposal in Times Square with SL Green Realty. These investments show how he’s turning his wealth into long-term assets that generate income. He even joked on social media about his property acquisitions, saying, "Having fun, living life, making power moves every day… Money earned, and you know the rest."
Sports Ownership Interests:
The boxing champ is looking beyond the ring when it comes to sports ownership. He co-founded a NASCAR team, The Money Team Racing, which kicked off in 2022 and has been racing part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. This move into auto racing shows his eagerness to invest in different sports franchises. Plus, he’s been toying with the idea of owning an NBA team. In 2022, he mentioned that he and his crew were working on acquiring an NBA franchise, possibly an expansion team in Las Vegas or Seattle. He even claimed to have offered $2 billion for a team, though the details are still up in the air.
Entertainment & Lifestyle Investments:
Mayweather is living up to his flashy persona by diving into lifestyle and entertainment investments. He owns a swanky gentlemen's club in Las Vegas called Girl Collection, which rakes in cash from the nightlife scene. On top of that, he’s taken his training techniques and brand to the next level with the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness franchise, a series of boutique gyms where members can work out using methods inspired by his own training. This fitness venture is popping up in various cities, showing that Mayweather's brand has a strong presence beyond just his own fame.
Financially, he seems to be in a solid position to pursue a $700 million acquisition, especially with partners on board. While a lot of his wealth is likely tied up in investments, the fact that $200 million is reportedly in escrow shows he has some liquidity and is serious about this move. It’s important to remember that any minority owner in the NFL has to go through the league's vetting process, which checks not just their net worth but also their character and fit with NFL ownership values.
Given Mayweather's extravagant lifestyle and past legal troubles, the NFL will likely take a close look at his bid. However, having Meyer Orbach, a respected businessman, in the mix could boost their credibility. If this Mayweather-led group pulls it off, the boxer-turned-business mogul would add "NFL co-owner" to his already impressive list of achievements, marking a big step in his life after boxing.
The NFL's New Minority Investment Scene
Mayweather's interest in buying a piece of the Giants comes at a time when the ownership landscape in the NFL is shifting. For years, NFL teams have been family-owned, with strict rules that kept outside investors at bay. But recent changes in policy have opened the floodgates for a new wave of investors, including private equity firms, celebrities, and institutional players.
Private Equity Joins the NFL:
In August 2024, the NFL made a big move by allowing private equity firms to acquire up to 10% of a team. Before this, institutional investments in NFL teams were a no-go. Since the rule change, firms like Arctos Sports Partners and Ares Management have jumped in, taking minority stakes in teams like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
RELATED: Floyd Mayweather Sells His Miami Beach Mansion for $22 Million, Take A Look Inside!
The Giants looking to sell a 10% stake right after this change shows they’re ready to welcome both private equity firms and wealthy individuals. However, it’s worth noting that private equity firms usually aim for financial gains, which might lead to different expectations regarding the team's valuation compared to what the Giants are asking.
Celebrity and Athlete Investors:
On top of private equity, there’s been a surge of wealthy athletes and celebrities stepping into the ownership game. A standout example is Tom Brady, who snagged a 5% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders for about $220 million after hanging up his cleats in 2023. Magic Johnson also got in on the action by joining the ownership group that bought the Washington Commanders in 2023. Even Giants legend Eli Manning has shown interest in ownership, saying he’d only invest in one team—the Giants. While it’s uncertain if Manning is actively pursuing a bid, it highlights how former players and sports icons are positioning themselves as potential investors in NFL teams.
Increasing Popularity of Minority Stake Sales:
NFL owners are finding that selling a small share of their teams is a smart way to generate funds while still keeping control. The 49ers and Giants are looking to sell 10% stakes, following in the footsteps of the Eagles, Bills, Dolphins, and Panthers. These sales can free up hundreds of millions of dollars, which can be used for things like upgrading stadiums, paying off debts, or planning for the future. With this trend, the NFL is becoming more receptive to outside investments, and Mayweather's bid fits right into this evolving ownership approach.
