Michael Strahan and Eli Manning, heroes of the New York Giants’ stunning 2007 Super Bowl XLII upset over the undefeated New England Patriots, are now on opposite sides of a different battle—one for a piece of their former team. According to a May 5, 2025, Sportico report, Strahan, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end, has teamed up with billionaire Marc Lasry to bid for a 10% minority stake in the Giants, which owners John Mara and Steve Tisch are looking to sell. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report from April 30, 2025, revealed that Manning, the two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback, is assembling his own investment group to pursue the same stake, having held talks with individual investors, including former NFL players. While Manning briefly considered joining Strahan’s group, conflicts with his other business holdings—such as his stake in NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC and Brand Velocity Group—led him to go his own way. With the Giants valued at roughly $8 billion, a 10% stake could cost around $800 million, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between two franchise icons. Let’s dive into the bids, the players involved, and what this means for the Giants’ future.
Strahan, who played his entire 15-year career with the Giants (1993-2007), amassing 141.5 sacks and a Super Bowl XLII ring, is leveraging his fame and media career—co-hosting “Good Morning America” and analyzing on “FOX NFL Sunday”—to join forces with Marc Lasry. Lasry, a billionaire worth $1.9 billion per Forbes, co-founded Avenue Capital and sold his Milwaukee Bucks stake in 2023 for $3.5 billion, raising $450 million for his Avenue Sports fund. His recent investments include TGL (a tech-driven golf league) and Unrivaled (a women’s basketball startup), and he’s eyed stakes in NWSL’s Angel City and North Carolina Courage. Strahan’s Giants legacy—854 tackles, seven Pro Bowls, and a 2007 title—makes him a sentimental favorite, while Lasry’s financial muscle gives their bid serious clout. The Giants’ hiring of Moelis & Co. in February 2025 to explore selling a non-controlling stake to “two or three wealthy individuals or families” rather than private equity aligns with Lasry’s profile as a high-net-worth investor.
Manning, who spent 16 seasons (2004-19) with the Giants, leading them to Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011 with 57,023 passing yards and 366 touchdowns, is building his own group. Bloomberg reported he’s spoken to retired NFL players and other investors, leveraging his $232.5 million in career earnings and endorsement deals through Omaha Productions. Manning, 44, already owns a minority stake in Gotham FC and is a partner in Brand Velocity Group, but these commitments reportedly conflicted with joining Strahan’s bid. In a January 2025 CNBC interview, Manning expressed interest in Giants ownership, saying, “There’s probably only one team I’d be interested in pursuing, and it’s the one I played for for 16 years.” His current role as a Giants ambassador, hosting “The Eli Manning Show” on Giants.com, and his Ring of Honor status (No. 10 retired in 2021) make him a fan favorite, but his group’s financial backers remain unclear.
The Giants are valued at $7.65 billion by Sportico and $8 billion by Bloomberg, making a 10% stake worth $765 million to $800 million. Neither Strahan nor Manning can foot that bill alone—Strahan’s net worth is estimated at $65 million, per Celebrity Net Worth, and Manning’s $232.5 million in NFL earnings plus endorsements fall short. Lasry’s $1.9 billion fortune and Avenue Capital’s $11 billion in assets give Strahan’s bid a clear edge in liquidity. Manning’s group would need deep-pocketed partners, possibly from his Brand Velocity connections or NFL alumni like Tom Brady, who bought a 10% Raiders stake in 2024. The Mara and Tisch families, who’ve owned the Giants since 1925 and 1991 respectively, prefer individual or family investors over private equity, a shift from the NFL’s August 2024 rule allowing up to 10% private equity stakes.
Strahan and Manning were the cornerstones of the 2007 Giants, a wild-card team that stunned the 18-0 Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII. Manning’s clutch 83-yard drive, capped by a 13-yard TD to Plaxico Burress, and Strahan’s 3.5 sacks in the playoffs, including one on Tom Brady, defined one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. Their second title together in 2011 (21-17 over the Patriots again) cemented their legacies—Manning with 4,933 passing yards that season, Strahan with 9.0 sacks in his final year. Now, their competitive spirits are clashing off the field. Manning’s “preliminary conversations” with Strahan’s group, per Bloomberg, fell apart due to his existing investments, particularly Gotham FC, which has ties to rival bidders. Strahan, meanwhile, has stayed mum, letting Lasry’s financial heft do the talking.
The Giants’ decision to sell a minority stake comes as the NFL’s valuation soars—the average franchise is worth $5.1 billion, per Forbes, and the Giants rank fourth behind the Cowboys ($9 billion), Rams ($6.9 billion), and Patriots ($6.4 billion). Mara and Tisch, who split ownership 50-50, aim to raise capital for stadium upgrades and operational costs while retaining control. The 10% stake won’t grant voting power, but it offers prestige and a potential long-term path to greater influence, as seen with Arthur Blank’s gradual takeover of the Falcons. At least one other bidder, former Bucks co-owner Jamie Dinan, is in the mix, per Sportico, adding pressure on Strahan and Manning to finalize their groups. The bidding process, expected to wrap by July 2025, requires NFL approval, with a 75% owner vote (24 of 32 teams).
For Giants fans, the prospect of Strahan or Manning owning a piece of the team is thrilling but bittersweet. Their 2007 and 2011 triumphs—combined 8-0 playoff record against juggernauts like Green Bay, Dallas, and New England—are franchise peaks, and both are enshrined in the Giants’ Ring of Honor. Strahan’s 141.5 sacks (fifth all-time when he retired) and Manning’s 366 TDs (12th all-time) make them larger-than-life figures. Yet, their rivalry for the stake could split loyalties. Strahan’s bid, backed by Lasry’s billions, seems stronger financially, but Manning’s emotional pull—16 years as the face of the franchise—might sway Mara and Tisch, who value legacy. Neither can match the $800 million alone, but Lasry’s Avenue Sports fund has raised $1.2 billion since 2023, while Manning’s group remains a mystery, possibly involving ex-players like Tiki Barber or Justin Tuck.
What’s next? The Giants, coming off a 6-11 season in 2024 with rookie QB Jaxson Dart and edge-rusher Abdul Carter sparking hope, are a hot commodity. The Mara-Tisch preference for “individuals or families” gives Strahan and Manning an edge over private equity, but Dinan’s $2.5 billion net worth keeps him in play. If Manning and Strahan reconcile, a joint bid could be unstoppable—combining Strahan’s media savvy, Lasry’s cash, and Manning’s franchise loyalty. For now, they’re competitors, echoing their on-field battles against Brady. The NFL’s June 2025 owners’ meeting could see a decision, with the winner joining the Giants’ ownership table. Whether it’s Strahan’s sack-dancing charisma or Manning’s cool-headed leadership, one thing’s clear: the Giants’ next chapter will have a familiar face. Stay tuned—this Super Bowl rematch is just getting started.
