The previous decade has only seen a total of three NFL Club sales, so it seems a bit amusing that in a time of economic slump, three teams may very well hang a “for sale” sign in the next year and industry analysts think they’ll have no problem attracting Venture Capitalists and other investors:

“The NFL is an incredibly strong league and continues to attract serious investment capital and lenders,” said sports consultant Marc Ganis, who has advised several NFL teams. “The NFL’s best days are still ahead of it, and the smart money understands that.” - [Source]

The three teams rumored to currently be courting buyers include the St. Louis Rams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and shockingly, the still family owned Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rams have essentially remained quiet in regards to a possible sale while Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver has been firmly denying reports that his club is up for sale:

“In light of news reports from last night, I must once again reiterate the fact that I am not selling the Jaguars. The team is not for sale, and I cannot say it any more clearly than that,” Weaver said in the statement. - [Source]

The potential sale of the Steelers is more about family feuding than a desire to be rid of the NFL club the family has had sole ownership of for the last 75 years (though if Chairman Dan Rooney has any say, the club will remain under his sole control). However, potential buyers would have a small, but potentially costly problem should a sale occur as their stadium was publicly funded and a sale would allow for a review of that agreement:

Allegheny County Controller Mark Flaherty says the Pittsburgh Steelers may have to reimburse taxpayers for public money used to build Heinz Field if the team is sold. The new stadium opened in 2001 with the Steelers contributing about $76.5 million and state and county taxpayers paying $281 million. - [Source]

Tags: Football, NFL
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