Rivalry Between FOX & ESPN Broadcasters Taken to New York as Michael Strahan Competes With Giants Legend For Ownership

As long as football exists, NFL rivalries are never going out of style. We’ve talked extensively about team vs. team, player vs. player, and even coach vs. coach. But what happens when two players from the same team compete against each other for the same spot? No, we’re not talking about Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson fighting for the QB1 spot. This is a much bigger deal than that. Yeah, somewhere a little north of $750m. Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

Following in the footsteps of veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, two former Giants players are now fighting for the same distinction. The honor of being a franchise owner. ESPN broadcaster, NFL legend Eli Manning, has been gunning for a minority stake in the Giants since the owners floated the deal. He is collaborating with a group of inventors to buy the minority share of the Giants. And now, his former teammate has also thrown his hat into the ring.

FOX broadcaster, NFL legend, and former Giants DE Michael Strahan is reported to be running for a 10% ownership stake for the Giants, too. As per an IG post by Boardroom, “Strahan has partnered with billionaire Marc Lasry, the former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner, to lead his bid. Manning was initially in talks to join that group but chose to form his own investment team due to existing business conflicts. Both have stayed connected to the Giants since retiring — Strahan through media, Manning as a team ambassador and content host.⁠”

As per recent reports, Manning did consider joining ranks with Strahan, but backed out citing ‘conflicts with his other business holdings.” Whoever wins this race will join the ranks of Tom Brady and have an ownership mantle to display proudly. But who’ll be the victor in this competition?

The IG post by Boardroom further adds, “The Giants were recently valued at $7.3 billion by Forbes and $7.85 billion by CNBC, meaning a 10% stake could fetch around $750 million. The sale follows the NFL’s recent approval allowing limited private equity involvement in team ownership. If successful, Manning or Strahan would join a small but growing club of former NFL players with ownership roles.”

Both players have spent their entire NFL careers with the NY Giants. They are both equally deserving in that regard. Earlier, with only Manning gunning for the Giants’ ownership, it almost looked like he’d get it, especially if his investor group came through and raised the massive amount needed for the deal. But now, with Michael Strahan in the mix, things might have become a little rougher for Eli Manning.

Eli Manning vs. Michael Strahan – the ownership race

With Michael Strahan joining ranks with Marc Lasry, it almost looks like a guaranteed win. Marc Lasry comes with about 9 years of experience co-owning a sports franchise (the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks). And let’s face it, having a multi-billionaire in your corner to write a big check never hurts anybody’s chances. But what about Manning then? Well, if you listen to NFL insiders, some call the idea interesting, while others call it nearly impossible.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 09: Eli Manning celebrates his win in the FanDuel Kick of Destiny 3, before Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA FEB 09 Super Bowl LIX – Eagles vs Chiefs EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250209005

Mike Florio of PFT believes the Giants won’t offer Manning a “sweetheart deal” like the Raiders gave Tom Brady. Florio said on his show, “When it comes to the literal bottom line, Eli’s not going to have the money to do this. He’s going to have to be the frontman of the group that comes together. – the other side of it – there’s no way Eli’s getting a sweetheart deal from the Giants.”

On the same show, Chris Simms believes that while Manning might not have that much money, the idea itself is very intriguing. Simms said, “I think Eli and Peyton [Manning] could go this way and be involved in teams this way – Maybe they could have got Arch Manning next year. It could have been Eli owning, Arch playing quarterback, Peyton be the GM or something. – They could just make the whole damn Manning team the Giants.”

Maybe Eli Manning, with his QB charisma, can get through with his investors’ group and pull out the big check. But with Michael Strahan and Marc Lasry aiming for the same thing, they might get there faster. Whoever wins this race, it’s fun to think maybe sometime soon we’ll have a decision. And after dedicating decades to the Giants, one former Giant will get to call himself an owner. QB or DE, who do you think it’ll be?

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