ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have entered into a sale agreement with the Walton-Penner ownership group. The buyers are led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband, Greg Penner.
Although terms of the sale weren’t disclosed late Tuesday night, the winning bid was reportedly for $4.65 billion. That’s by far the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world. It surpasses the $3.1 billion sale last month of European soccer club Chelsea to an American-led consortium.
Walton says Black businesswoman Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments, has agreed to join the ownership group.
In other NFL news:
—Back surgery will keep Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard out of this week’s mandatory minicamp and at least part of training camp. Coach Frank Reich says the three-time All-Pro was scheduled to have a procedure Tuesday as Indy opened its three-day practice session. Leonard played through a bad ankle last season and had surgery earlier this offseason. Reich said the back injury also bothered Leonard and he opted for surgery when it didn’t get any better.
—All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel ended his offseason holdout by reporting for the first day of mandatory minicamp for the San Francisco 49ers. Samuel had skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason after telling ESPN in April that he wanted to be traded but showed up for the first day of a three-day minicamp. Skipping the camp could have led to a fine of nearly $100,000.
—Titans cornerback Caleb Farley is one of 26 Titans who wound up on injured reserve for the 2021 season. He’s wearing a yellow jersey this offseason warning against contact along with wide receivers Robert Woods and Racey McMath and fellow cornerback Kristian Fulton. Farley is the Titans’ first-round draft pick last year.
