The New York Giants have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, but this time, it’s for a different reason entirely. The team is preparing to sell up to a 10% minority stake in the franchise, a move expected to set an NFL record for valuation. The Giants have retained Moelis & Co. to oversee the process, marking a major financial shift for one of the league’s most historic franchises.
This move comes after the NFL’s recent policy change in August 2024, which now allows private equity firms to purchase up to 10% of a team. Since then, the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins have already sold minority stakes, and now the Giants are following suit. Given the team’s massive market and deep-rooted history, experts believe the Giants’ valuation could exceed the $8.3 billion figure recently set by the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, while this sale may be great for the Giants' financial books, it raises plenty of questions about the franchise’s direction. Why are the Mara and Tisch families exploring this move now? And more importantly, will it help the Giants become relevant on the field again, or is this just another sign that ownership is more focused on business than building a winning team?
What does this sale mean for the Giants?
On the surface, selling a 10% stake may seem like a routine business decision, but timing is everything. The Giants are coming off a disastrous 3-14 season, one of the worst in franchise history, and their front office has been widely criticized for botching key decisions—most notably letting Saquon Barkley walk to a division rival.
The team has been owned equally by the Mara and Tisch families for decades, with John Mara and Steve Tisch leading the organization since their fathers passed away in 2005. While this sale won’t change control of the team, it does indicate that ownership is open to bringing in outside investment. Whether that means increased cash flow for improvements or simply a way to capitalize on a soaring franchise valuation remains to be seen. It feels more like the latter. This could just be a quick cash grab for family and friends of Mara and Tisch.
It’s worth noting that despite their on-field struggles, the Giants remain one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. The latest estimates peg their worth between $7.3 billion and $7.85 billion, but given New York’s massive market, some believe they could eclipse the Eagles' recent $8.3 billion valuation.
However, the team’s decade-long mediocrity and dwindling fan enthusiasm could temper expectations.
Ultimately, this move could be a sign of bigger changes to come. If the Giants continue to struggle, how will the new 10% sale impact decisions moving forward? For now, fans will just have to hope that whatever financial maneuvering happens behind the scenes actually translates to success on the field—because no amount of valuation records will make up for another wasted season.