Here’s an idea for the next episode of “The Eli Manning Show.” The former quarterback visits various investors and tries to pool enough money to buy a minority ownership stake in the Giants.
On second thought, that behind-the-scenes scenario might be a little too close to real life for the entertainment-driven Internet show.
Manning is putting together an investment group to bid for up to a 10 percent ownership stake in the Giants, according to a Bloomberg report. The news comes about two months after John Mara and Steve Tisch — the two front-facing leaders of family ownership groups with equal 50 percent shares — retained Moelis & Co. to explore the potential of selling a minority stake.
After spending his entire 16-year NFL career with the Giants and winning two Super Bowl MVPs, Manning has maintained a close working relationship with the franchise. He works as close to a full-time ambᴀssador, drawing in famous guests as host of “The Eli Manning Show” on Giants.com and making community appearances on the franchise’s behalf.
Manning has gauged the interest of multiple individuals, including retired NFL players, in joining his bid, the unidentified people told Bloomberg.
The NFL voted last August to allow the sale of non-controlling minority stakes (capped at 10 percent) to private equity investors. It is an infusion of hundreds of millions in cash for majority owners.
The Maras have owned the Giants since the franchise’s founding in 1925. The Tisches bought their half in 1991.
Manning, a New Jersey resident, said in January that he would be interested if an ownership opportunity became available.
“It’s definitely something of interest,” Manning told CNBC Sport. “There’s probably only one team I’d be interested in pursuing, and it’s the one I played for for 16 years, and it’s local, and makes the most sense. But we just got to figure out if they would ever sell a little bit.”
Manning beat Tom Brady in two Super Bowls, but Brady beat Manning to the punch as an owner.
Brady and Knighthead Capital bought about a 10 percent stake in the Raiders in October, and since then he has had a major role in the football operation of the franchise, including the hiring of general manager John Spytek — a fellow Michigan alum who previously worked for the Buccaneers when Brady played three seasons in Tampa Bay — and head coach Pete Carroll.
It is too early to know if Manning would want or have any say in the football side of things if he does form a group that makes an accepted bid or if it would strictly be a business transaction.
The Bills and Dolphins also have completed 10 percent sales.
The Eagles reportedly sold 8 percent total to two wealthy families in deals that valued the franchise at $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively.
The Giants — given their rich history and North Jersey zip code — could be valued at more than $8 billion.
Manning retired in 2019 as the highest-paid player in NFL history ($252 million), but since has fallen to No. 9, according to Spotrac.com. That doesn’t include his endorsement earnings.
The NFL allows Brady to maintain his role as a Fox booth analyst despite his Raiders ownership, so Manning could keep the Monday night “Manningcast” that he shares with his brother Peyton and is under contract with ESPN through 2034.
Manning, who was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2025, already is a minority owner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s NJ/NY Gotham FC.
