Eli Manning says he would only take a stake in ‘one team’: the New York Giants

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is reportedly considering becoming a minority owner of his former team if the Mara family is willing to sell him a stake.

“It’s definitely something interesting,” said Manning, who spoke in an interview with CNBC Sport. “There’s probably only one team I’d be interested in pursuing, and that’s the one I played for for 16 years, and it’s local, and it makes the most sense, but we just need to figure out if they would ever sell a little.”

The Mara family has owned the Giants since the team’s founding in 1925. The Giants declined to comment on Manning’s interest.

Many NFL teams began considering selling small minority stakes after the league voted in August to allow private equity investments of up to 10% of each franchise. The process has so far resulted in several transactions, both from individuals and investment firms.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his business partner Tom Wagner acquired a 10% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders in October. The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles have also sold minority stakes to wealthy individuals in recent months.

Manning is already a minority owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. He is also a partner at private equity firm Brand Velocity Group.

The NFL has so far only allowed certain private equity firms to acquire a minority stake. Brand Velocity is not one of them.

Support Daboll and Schoen

Manning also told CNBC Sport that he agreed with the Giants’ decision to keep head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen for another season, which the team announced Monday.

The Giants finished the year 3-14 and will have the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team released starting quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this season.

“You have to create some sort of continuity and keep things the same, build that culture, and that takes time. You can’t necessarily do it in two or three years,” Manning said. “They have playmakers, superstars on the team, and it’s just about getting everyone to buy in and work together, and finding ways to win some of these close games. And I think it’s the right decision to keep these guys there. Let them bring in their guys, let them create their style and create their culture.

Manning juggles several business ventures while trying to find a new path after playing football, he said. He will be an ambassador for Verizon FanFest next month when the telecommunications company transforms stadiums in NFL markets into a daylong party featuring live music, food and celebrity meet-and-greets with former NFL players. NFL, including Jason Witten, Tiki Barber and Patrick Willis. .

“I think my quest after football is to find that passion and find something similar that I can work towards or that I’m really committed to,” Manning said. “I kind of feel like I can start over a little bit, and I’m enjoying that learning process of finding out what else I’m passionate about.”