The San Francisco 49ers are about to sell shares in their franchise. The deal is said to involve 6.2 percent and a total of three new shareholders.

According to ESPN, team owner Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers has confirmed that there is significant interest in purchasing shares in the California-based NFL franchise.

According to statements made in March, the York family would be willing to sell up to ten percent of their total 97 percent stake: “That would be a situation where we would definitely consider a meaningful option.”

As reported by The Athletic and Sportico, a total of 6.2 percent is now up for grabs from three different families in the California region. This is divided into 3.1 percent (Khosla family), 2.1 percent (Deeter family), and one percent (Griffith family).

This would be in line with York’s statements: “When we do something, we try to find the right people who will do everything for the team, both on and off the field. We want good partners by our side.”

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Under current conditions, the franchise is estimated to be worth around US$8.5 billion. If a sale goes ahead, it would be the highest value ever paid for a sports team at the time of the sale of the shares.

The Griffith family, with the smallest stake, would still have to pay US$85 million for its one percent share.

According to the report, the NFL will approve the deal at a team owners’ meeting next week. The 49ers declined to comment on the matter for the time being. According to the report, they are receiving further offers from interested buyers “almost weekly.”