Eli Manning reveals why he chose not to invest in the New York Giants

Eli Manning spent the entirety of his 16-year NFL career with the New York Giants, right up until his retirement in 2019. But now, Manning has revealed that he will not be investing in his former team when a 10% stake hits the market.

Back in February the Giants announced that they were going to put a “limited stake” in the team up for sale. After a stellar NFL career, and with some wise media investments since retiring, Eli Manning had be suggested as a potential co-owner.

But speaking to CBS Sport this week the former quarterback revealed why he will not be investing, and he has a very good reason.

“Basically, it’s too expensive for me,” Manning explained. “These numbers are getting very big... A 1% stake of something valued at $10 billion... It turns into a very big number.

“I love the Giants, and I think it is deserving of that valuation. There will be people that want to go for it, and I was kind of along for the ride.”

The most recent valuation of the Giants by Forbes put the value at $7.3 billion. However when the 10% stake goes to market later this year it could push the valuation even higher, potentially making the Giants the most ‘expensive’ sports team of all time. For all Manning’s success - both on and off the field - a billion-dollar investment is probably a bit beyond him.

And that’s not the only problem. In recent years, Manning has been best-known for his part in the ‘ManningCast’ NFL coverage, which he does alongside brother Peyton. Last year the Manning duo agreed a nine-year extension with ESPN which would have been complicated by Eli taking an active role in a franchise.

“It really was a matter of some complications with the fact that I’m doing broadcasting; I wouldn’t be able to talk to the players. I coach in the Pro Bowl. I do a high school football camp where college guys come.

“There would be a lot of conflicts and it was going to affect my day job, so I kind of had to pull out of the Giants deal.”

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