NFL owners vote to allow private equity firms stakes in teams [Video]

EAGAN, Minn. — NFL owners voted their carefully crafted approval on Tuesday to private equity investors in their teams, putting in place a new rule that lets certain league-sanctioned firms buy up a stake of up to 10% in the 32 franchises that are steadily soaring in value.

At a special meeting in Minnesota, nine days before the regular-season opener, the owners enacted their first such guideline after previously prohibiting the practice. The other major American sports leagues allow up to 30% purchases by private equity investors.

The NFL with this vote permitted four different funds, after initiating a study of the concept five years ago. Since then, the Denver Broncos ($4.65 billion) and Washington Commanders ($6.05 billion) have …