Summary
- Former Washington Commanders President Jason Wright indicates the NFL is close to allowing foreign investment in team ownership
- Wright suggests the league will initially explore “partnership deals” with companies backed by foreign governments before direct investment
It appears that the National Football League (NFL) could soon allow foreign investors to purchase team ownership, according to Jason Wright, a former president of the Washington Commanders. During a sports business panel last week at Gabelli Funds’ annual Media & Sports Symposium in New York, Wright hinted that his connections within the NFL suggest the league is nearing a decision to welcome foreign investment.
Sports leagues in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have already bought substantial shares in global sports such as soccer, golf, and car racing. In contrast, major U.S. sports leagues have typically been hesitant about direct foreign ownership. Yet, with the NFL’s ongoing growth and its aim to expand globally, Wright foresees the NFL diversifying its financial resources as an “unavoidable” trend.
Wright mentioned that due to the NFL being a more deliberate organization, they are likely to explore opportunities first by striking substantial partnership deals with businesses and brands backed by foreign governments. He implied that as these major sponsorships, such as naming rights agreements at team level or high-profile league collaborations, become apparent, it would indicate that direct investment from foreign sources is imminent. These talks, he disclosed, have been taking place quietly behind the scenes.
The initial Black president of an NFL team, serving from 2020 to 2024, highlighted that smaller leagues might receive direct investment with a sovereign stake first because of their greater need. However, it’s not a question of if the NFL will make such a move, but rather when it will happen. This change could have a substantial impact on the league’s financial structure, potentially providing new sources of funding for team management and fostering further global expansion.
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2025-06-09 13:25