Tag: John Mara

Oct 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; A general view of the New York Giants helmet before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

NFL approves 10% sale of Giants to Julia Koch and family

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL on Wednesday approved Julia Koch and family to purchase a minority non-controlling interest in the New York Giants.

Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the deal at the NFL’s Fall meetings.

Reports indicate that Koch was approved to purchase 10% of the franchise, with the sale price not disclosed. In September, Bloomberg estimated the value of the Giants at $10 billion.

John Mara and family, along with Steve Tisch and family, remain the controlling owners of the franchise. Mara is the president and CEO, while Tisch is executive vice president and chairman of the board.

“On behalf of the entire Mara family, I would like to welcome Julia and her family to the New York Giants,” Mara said. “It was clear during our discussions that Julia and her family understood the importance of this franchise to the Mara and Tisch families and the relationship we have with our fans and community. Our discussions were productive, and we are pleased to have them as a part of the New York Giants.”

Julia Koch is the widow of businessman David Koch, who was a vice president candidate of the United States in 1980. Forbes estimated David Koch’s net worth at $81.2 billion at the time of his death in 2019.

“My family and I are honored to join the Giants organization, a storied franchise with deep roots in New York,” said Julia Koch, who agreed to make the purchase in September, pending league approval. “We look forward to supporting the Mara and Tisch families to advance the team’s continued success and appreciate the partnership with two great families.”

–Field Level Media

President and CEO John Mara stands on the sidelines during pregame of a game between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.

Giants owner John Mara announces cancer diagnosis

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Giants co-owner John Mara announced his cancer diagnosis on Monday.

The 70-year-old team president and chief executive officer said he is feeling “strong and optimistic.”

“I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and have been following the treatment plan recommended by an outstanding team of doctors. I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome,” he said in a statement released by the team.

“I plan to remain active with the team throughout my treatment, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support — personally, professionally, and medically. I ask that you respect my privacy and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Mara did not provide any specific details about his diagnosis.

His revelation came one day after the Giants earned their first win of the season, defeating the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 at home behind rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Mara has been the president of the Giants since the death of his father, Wellington Mara, in 2005. John Mara’s grandfather, Tim Mara, founded the franchise in 1925.

The Giants have won two Super Bowl championships (XLII, XLVI) during John Mara’s tenure.

Mara and his wife, Denise, have one son and four daughters.

–Field Level Media

President and CEO John Mara stands on the sidelines during pregame of a game between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.

Report: Giants looking to sell limited stake in team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Giants are putting a limited stake in the team on the market, with the process likely to set a record for an NFL franchise valuation, Sports Business Journal reported on Thursday.

The Giants, regarded as one of the most valuable sports teams in the world because of their history and the New York City market, have hired Moelis & Co. as their banker, according to the report.

The team’s majority stake and control will remain with the Mara family. The team’s president is John Mara, whose grandfather Tim Mara founded the team in 1925.

While the reason for exploring a limited partner is not known, the timing comes after the NFL approved a policy in August that allows private equity firms to buy up to 10 percent of teams.

The Giants organization and Moelis & Co. declined to comment to Sports Business Journal.

Forbes’ most recent valuation of the Giants came in at $7.3 billion, while CNBC pegged it at $7.85 billion.

For a recent comparison, the newly minted Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles had ranged in value from $6.6 billion (Forbes) to $7 billion (CNBC). Then in December, the Eagles sold a combined 8 percent to two families in separate transactions valuing the franchise at $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively.

Philadelphia owner Jeffrey Lurie still controls 85 percent of the team under terms of the sales.

The Eagles are now at the top of the pro football world, while the Giants have been among the NFL’s worst teams in recent seasons.

Three private equity firms got NFL approval in December to make deals to acquire limited partnerships in teams. Arctos Partners purchased 10 percent of the Buffalo Bills, and Ares Management bought a 10 percent stake in the Miami Dolphins and related assets.

The Bills were valued by CNBC at $5.35 billion before the sale, while the Dolphins were valued at $8.1 billion.

–Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Giants as the No. 6 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants to make ‘Hard Knocks’ debut

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Giants will make their “Hard Knocks” debut this year on the long-running HBO docuseries, the network announced Wednesday.

“Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” will premiere on July 2. The Giants are preparing for their 100th season.

The franchise opting to take part in this series is a headline unto itself. After all, co-owner John Mara made his stance crystal clear to the New York Daily News back in 2010.

“That announcement will come,” Mara said at the time, “when I’m next to my father in the Gates of Heaven cemetery.”

Well, Mara is still alive and “Hard Knocks” is calling as the Giants prepare for their centennial season.

This five-part series marks the first time “Hard Knocks” has chronicled a team throughout the offseason, including free agency and the draft. The series previously has documented NFL training camps, the preseason and regular season.

“We are beyond thrilled that the New York Giants have opened their doors to the Hard Knocks cameras for the first time ever,” HBO executives Nancy Abraham, Bentley Weiner and Lisa Heller said in a statement. “The NFL offseason is a fascinating period that we’ve always wanted to explore and we can’t wait to show football fans everywhere what NFL Films has been capturing behind the scenes at the team’s headquarters.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Joe Judge (left) with co-owner John Mara before a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

John Mara says Giants GM is not on the hot seat

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Giants co-owner John Mara said Tuesday it’s inaccurate to say that general manager Dave Gettleman is on the hot seat for the upcoming NFL season.

Mara also said he wished it was mandatory for every player in the league to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

The Giants are 15-33 since Gettleman took over as GM three years ago. However, Mara said there is no playoff-or-be-fired mandate for Gettleman.

“We’re all on the hot seat with our fans in particular, we’ve given them too many losing seasons, it’s time for us to start winning,” Mara said, when asked if the GM was on the hot seat. “No, I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that’s an accurate statement.

“I certainly think we’re a lot better on paper,” Mara said. “I’d like to see us show that on the field, win some games and make the playoffs.”

Mara also said he wishes the league required every player to get vaccinated.

“I’d prefer that everybody be vaccinated,” he said. “I would’ve preferred that it would’ve been mandatory for players to get vaccinated. But the players’ association did not share that view, so we are where we are, which is not a bad spot to be in. Obviously, I’d like it to be 100 percent (of players vaccinated), because I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Mara also said the Giants would not require fans to be vaccinated to attend games — at least not yet. The Las Vegas Raiders are requiring proof of vaccination.

“As of right now, there are no plans to do that. If you ask me that question again in a week or two, I may give you a different answer. That’ll depend on our discussions with the governor’s office and further guidance from the CDC and other health organizations. I think it’s a fluid situation,” Mara said.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman looks on during pregame against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Giants’ John Mara on GM Dave Gettleman: ‘He is coming back’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After days of speculation, New York Giants owner John Mara confirmed Wednesday that there will be no change in general manager Dave Gettleman’s job status.

“He is coming back,” Mara said during a video conference.

The Giants have gone 15-33 during Gettleman’s three seasons as GM. This year they went 6-10 but nearly won the NFC East. New York failed to qualify for the postseason when the Washington Football Team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night and finished 7-9.

Mara admitted there was “no defending the record” during Gettleman’s tenure, but the owner emphasized that he likes the relationship Gettleman has with coach Joe Judge and other positive things around the organization.

“I think we’ve established a basis for a foundation for success going forward,” Mara said. “There’s a different feeling in the building now than there has been in a number of years. That’s why I’m optimistic.”

Gettleman copped to some mistakes during his tenure, especially during his first season in 2018. But like Mara, he’s also filled with optimism.

“We’re on the right track right now,” he said during his video conference Wednesday. “We’ve done some very good stuff the last two years. We’re going to fix this. We’re going to fix this.”

There had been speculation that Gettleman, who turns 70 next month, might be contemplating retirement. He quickly shot that down when asked Wednesday.

“I feel fine, I feel good, I’m excited. You know I just want to keep going,” Gettleman said. “I don’t know where this retirement stuff came from, I have no idea what that’s all about. But at the end of the day, I feel great, so let’s keep going.”

Mara made no commitment, however, to Gettleman staying on beyond 2021.

“Everything in this business is year to year. I’m not going to speculate on that,” Mara said.

–Field Level Media