In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the Denver Broncos announced on March 27, 2025, that Elon Musk has been banned from all team-related events following his unsolicited $10 billion bid to buy the franchise and his public demand to fire head coach Sean Payton. The decision, revealed by Broncos owner Greg Penner during a press conference at Empower Field at Mile High, marks the third NFL team to bar Musk in a single day, following similar bans by the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. The move underscores the league’s growing frustration with Musk’s aggressive attempts to infiltrate professional football, cementing a united front against the billionaire’s influence.
Musk’s $10 billion offer, reported by The Denver Post, far exceeded the Broncos’ $4.65 billion sale price in 2022 to the Walton-Penner group, the NFL’s most expensive team purchase to date. However, his bid came with a controversial condition: the immediate dismissal of Sean Payton, the Super Bowl-winning coach who led Denver to a 7-10 record in 2024 while developing rookie Bo Nix. Musk, posting on X, called Payton “a relic of the past” and claimed he could “revolutionize the Broncos with AI-driven play-calling and Starlink-powered fan experiences.” The comments, paired with his vision to rebrand the stadium as “Tesla Park,” drew swift backlash from the organization and fans.
“Elon Musk’s bid and his attack on Coach Payton are unacceptable,” Penner stated, his tone resolute. “The Broncos are not for sale, and we stand by Sean’s leadership. Musk is banned from all team events—games, practices, everything.” The decision follows Musk’s recent NFL rejections—$5 billion for the Packers and $20 billion for the Eagles—highlighting his pattern of overreach. His role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and controversies like $1 million voter giveaways have only fueled the NFL’s wariness.
Social media lit up: “Musk banned from Denver? Protect the Broncos!” one fan posted, while another quipped, “$10B and he still can’t buy a team!” Musk responded on X, calling the ban “a pathetic attempt to silence innovation,” and hinted at launching a rival league. As the Broncos celebrate Nik Bonitto’s Hall of Fame induction and welcome Dak Prescott on a $33 million deal, Musk’s ban ensures their focus remains on football—not a billionaire’s disruptive ambitions. The NFL’s message is clear: Denver’s legacy isn’t up for grabs.
