Manchester Basketball's owners are exploring a privately backed bid for the city's planned NBA Europe franchise, positioning themselves as a neutral alternative to Manchester City or Manchester United.
The owners of Manchester's Super League Basketball (SLB) team are in discussions over a potential bid -- backed by private equity or sovereign wealth -- for the city's planned NBA Europe franchise, according to City AM reporter Frank Dalleres.
Speaking to City AM, club president Ben Pierson said their experience running professional sports teams in Manchester, combined with their neutrality in the city's fiercely divided football landscape, could work in their favour during the bidding process.
If talks with the NBA advance to a formal bid, the group could face competition from the owners of Manchester City and Manchester United, both of whom have been linked to operating an NBA Europe team.
Pierson said the US-based Sherwood Family Investment Office, which acquired Manchester Basketball two years ago, has the financial capacity to meet the NBA's reported $500m–$1bn entry fee for the new league.
He added that the Sherwoods have also been approached about partnering with institutional investors.
"The Sherwoods have been in dialogue with JPMorgan and the NBA since the process began," Pierson told City AM. "We have the financial resources to put a bid together ourselves if it looks like it makes sense. But we've also been approached by a number of groups that understand that we're the operating business in the city."
Credit Rokas Snarskis
Both Manchester City and Manchester United owners have been credited with potential interest, but Pierson suggested either bid could risk alienating large sections of the local fanbase.
City's Abu Dhabi ownership has strong links to the NBA, while United's majority owners, the Glazer family, also control teams in the NFL and T20 cricket.
"If you are a light-blue-branded basketball team, do you lose half the city because the Man United fans aren't going to go to your games?" Pierson added. "So, there is a logic for a third party to come in."
However, the BBC Sport has reported that neither Manchester City nor Manchester United are currently expected to pursue an NBA Europe franchise.
The NBA Europe league is planned to launch with 16 teams in October 2027.
Manchester Basketball, meanwhile, was founded in 2024.
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