49ers Near Historic Deal Valuing Franchise At $8.5 Billion

For years, the San Francisco 49ers have been a family-run operation — and not just any family, but the Yorks, who’ve overseen the franchise since the early 2000s. They’ve ridden the rollercoaster of NFC Championship games, Super Bowl heartbreaks, and a fair share of rebuilds. But now, it looks like they’re ready to let a few others join the ride.

According to several league insiders, the 49ers are closing in on a deal to sell a 6.2% stake in the team to three ultra-wealthy Bay Area families — and if the numbers hold, it would mark the highest valuation ever for a sports team transaction in U.S. history. We’re talking over $8.5 billion.

That’s not a typo.

Who’s Buying

The three families involved aren’t just rich — they’re part of the fabric of Silicon Valley’s rise over the past few decades.

Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and the man behind Khosla Ventures, is set to buy 3.1%.
Byron Deeter, a prominent partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, is purchasing 2.1%.
William Griffith, of Iconiq Capital (the same firm that handles money for tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg), is picking up 1%.

If you live in the Bay Area or know the venture capital world, these names are practically royalty. They’ve backed some of the most successful companies in the world — and now they want in on football.

And not just any team — this team. The 49ers. The five-time Super Bowl champions with one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL.

Why Sell Now

For years, the York family has received steady interest from people wanting a piece of the team. And as team CEO Jed York explained back in March, selling a small slice of the franchise was always a possibility — just not a decision to be taken lightly.

“It’s really a family asset decision,” York said during the NFL’s annual league meetings this spring. “We’ve had interest almost every week from people wanting in. If it makes sense for everyone involved, we’ll explore it.”

It turns out, this one made sense.

York emphasized that the goal wasn’t just to bring in new money. The family wanted partners who aligned with their values and vision — people who could contribute more than just capital. Think community presence, tech savvy, and forward-thinking business strategy.

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It wasn’t about cashing out. It was about bolstering the team’s future.

A Record-Breaking Deal

Let’s break down why this is such a big deal — beyond the names and the money.

At over $8.5 billion, this sale would value the 49ers higher than any other sports franchise in transaction history. Yes, even the Denver Broncos’ 2022 sale, which went for $4.65 billion. This isn’t even a majority stake — it’s just over 6%, and it’s still fetching record numbers.

The rising cost of doing business in the NFL — new stadiums, international growth, exploding media deals — means owning even a sliver of a team has become wildly expensive. And if you’re wondering why teams would part with a stake, even a small one, the answer is pretty simple: diversify.

For the Yorks, it’s a way to keep the team in the family while freeing up capital and bringing in new expertise. It’s also a way to connect with other local power players who can open doors beyond the football field.

Who Are These New Owners

Let’s dig into the backgrounds of the three families set to become part of 49ers history.

Vinod Khosla isn’t just a name — he’s a Silicon Valley legend. He helped build Sun Microsystems, which powered early internet infrastructure, and later founded Khosla Ventures, which has backed everything from mobile apps to space tech. He’s known for bold bets and unconventional thinking.
Byron Deeter made his mark as a cloud computing visionary. At Bessemer Venture Partners, he was among the earliest investors in companies like Twilio, DocuSign, and SendGrid — the backbone of how the modern world communicates.
William Griffith brings the financial firepower of Iconiq Capital, a firm that quietly manages the wealth of tech billionaires. Iconiq isn’t just a bank — it’s a kingmaker in Silicon Valley.

Together, these three don’t just bring money. They bring influence. And that might be the most valuable currency in today’s NFL.

Source: 49ers near deal to sell 6.2% stake in franchise to 3 Bay Area families

NFL Approval and What Comes Next

The sale still needs the green light from the league’s other owners, but that’s expected to happen at the NFL Spring Meeting in Minneapolis next week. The process is more of a formality at this point. Once approved, these families will officially join the ownership ranks — but don’t expect major changes.

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The Yorks will still run the show. They’ll continue to own over 90% of the team and keep full control over football decisions, front office moves, and everything else that happens in Santa Clara. These are limited partnerships, not power plays.

Still, this does open the door for new ideas. As teams look to leverage AI, global marketing, blockchain ticketing, and other tech advancements, having partners from the heart of Silicon Valley gives the Niners a leg up.

It’s about staying ahead, not just on the scoreboard, but in the boardroom.

This Isn’t Just a 49ers Thing

Zooming out, this is part of a bigger wave happening across the league.

Just this week, news broke that the Los Angeles Chargers are also shopping an 8% stake to Arctos, a private equity firm. That deal, if approved, would represent another sign that NFL ownership is no longer just about deep pockets — it’s about strategic partnerships.

The league, long cautious about outside investment, has been slowly warming up to the idea that fresh capital and modern business minds can help keep the NFL at the top of the sports food chain.

Teams are becoming entertainment companies, digital brands, and global businesses. To thrive in that world, they need people who understand more than just football.

49ers Near Historic Deal Valuing Franchise at $8.5 Billion

Final Thoughts: The Niners Are Evolving

If you’re a 49ers fan, this deal doesn’t mean Jed York is stepping aside or that the team is being sold to outsiders. Far from it.

What it does mean is that the 49ers are thinking long-term. They’re not just investing in players — they’re investing in the future of how football teams operate in a changing world.

By bringing in Khosla, Deeter, and Griffith — three local families with deep business roots and visionary track records — the 49ers are positioning themselves to innovate off the field just as much as they dominate on it.

In short, this isn’t just a deal. It’s a statement. The 49ers aren’t stuck in the past. They’re building something for the next 50 years.

And they’re doing it, once again, with the Bay Area leading the way.