Top 10 Richest Sports Team Owners in the World - 2025 (Ranked)

Behind every successful sports team, an owner pulls the strings and makes high-profile decisions. Some of the richest sports team owners put their heart and soul into the franchise and want results. Remember when Chelsea had Roman Abramovich? They went from competing in the domestic cups to winning the European Cups and multiple English Premier League trophies. In the same way, Jerry Buss created a unique experience in basketball during the 1980s when the ‘Showtime Lakers’ came to the party. The Los Angeles Lakers remain one of the franchises instrumental to the unparalleled success of the NBA.

Hence, this list explores the richest sports team owner, from Steve Ballmer to Stan Kroenke and more. These owners work tirelessly behind the scenes to create a unique fan experience and assemble teams with world-class players to win trophies.

List of Richest Sports Team Owners

In the sporting world, multiple owners are wealthy and help the team get new signings, hand out bumper contracts, improve the stadium facilities, enhance the training centers, and more. This list features a passionate set of the richest sports team owners who are looking to create a legacy. So, who are the richest sports team owners in the world?

How We Ranked the Richest Sports Team Owners in the World?

We have determined different factors that place these owners in their respective ranks on this list. It's crucial to get an accurate list, if not precise, as it will help us understand who the richest sports team owner in the world is. Four parameters determine how they are judged: estimated net worth, ownership stake, spending power, and team valuation. Most importantly, the estimated net worth remains one of the crucial aspects of the list. According to Forbes, these men have completely dominated the sports industry. So here are the four parameters:

• Estimated net worth - An individual's net worth determines their wealth status, which is calculated from their assets, salary, contracts, endorsements, and more. With a high net worth, the owner can invest more in the team and make the necessary changes to improve the roster. Hence, having a net worth of over a billion helps radicalize a team and stabilize it from the top.
• Ownership stake - An owner's ownership stake remains another key component in the rankings. There's no point in having billions of dollars but a 10% stake in the club, as the ability to maneuver with the club's enhancements will be reduced to the bare bones. Hence, the ownership stake of the owners will play a crucial role.
• Spending power - The owner's spending power remains another valuable asset to consider. The ability of the owner to pump money into the club from his own pockets or wait to get some sales before pumping money in remains another critical parameter. Some clubs have rich owners but don't spend much money, so spending power makes a difference.
• Team Valuation - Team valuation happens over time as the owner invests in the team and increases its value. There are high-value teams around the world, and the owners spend time building them from scratch, implementing their ideas on the team, and creating an identity. This increases the valuation, and sports teams like Manchester United, New York Yankees, and others have followed a similar approach.

Who Is the Richest Sports Team Owner in the World Currently?

There is no doubt in this list that Steve Ballmer is the richest sports team owners in the world. Hence, we explore the list of the richest sports team owners in the world, courtesy of some billionaires. So, who is the richest sports team owner, and how did he build his empire? Here is the list of richest sports team owners and their detailed analysis:

10. Stanley Kroenke - $18 billion

When you own teams like Arsenal FC, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Denver Nuggets, you know the owner is a sports enthusiast. These are some of the world's best franchises, and Stan Kroenke owns all of them. If you take the Rams, Nuggets, and Colorado Avalanche, all three franchise have won their respective championships. Only Arsenal remains to cement Stan Kroenke's legacy as one of the great sports owners in the world. He's undoubtedly one of the richest sports team owners in the world​.

Most of his wealth comes from real estate, as his lands are tied up with Walmart, and he married the Walmart heiress, Ann Walton Kroenke. Owning around 60 million square feet of commercial properties, Kroenke remains one of the richest sports team owners in the world and has a diverse portfolio of franchises and clubs. Through his company, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), he owns 100% of Arsenal Football Club, the Nuggets, and the Rams. With a valuation of $18 billion, Kroenke ranks 10th on the richest sports team owner list. Arsenal's value is $3.4 billion, the Nuggets' value is $3.9 billion, and the Rams stand at $7.6 billion. Those are the three top teams of the world, mind you.

9. Stephen Ross - $18.4 billion

Another real estate mogul who owns a sports team is Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins. Known for developing the Deutsche Bank Center, Ross's interest in sports remains crucial to the Dolphins and their future investments. Ross has owned the Dolphins for 15 years after claiming a 50% stake in the team in 2008. Later the following year, he claimed a 45% stake in 2009, giving him a total stake of 95% for the Miami Dolphins. He's also a real estate mogul and involves himself in charity work.

The Dolphins hope to win a Super Bowl in the coming years. Ross owns the iconic Hard Rock Stadium and earns income from various shows organized there. However, Ross sold a 13% stake in the Dolphins and related assets to Ares Management in December 2024, which was surprising, nonetheless. In all fairness, he's one of the richest sports team owners worldwide with a $6.2 billion franchise in his kitty.

8. François Pinault & family - $19.6 billion

François Pinault and his family are the creamy layer of French society. They have massive wealth, and he's the founder of the luxury group Kering and the investment holding company Artémis. Likewise, he's owned Stade Rennais F.C. since 1998 but failed to land a Ligue 1 title for the club. Moreover, he's got a 100% stake in the football club, which is emerging as a bright club under his ownership. One of the major positives for the club is their youth academy, with Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Eduardo Camavinga coming up through the ranks.

The French club remains in the shadows of PSG, which dominates the league every season. Likewise, during the 2019-20 season, the French football club achieved a third-place finish in Ligue 1. In the process, they qualified for the UEFA Champions League, which became a historic season for them. But there's scope for improvement, and the family's investments could be crucial for the club in the future. Pinault, though, remains one of the richest sports team owner worldwide.

7. (Tie) David Tepper - $21.3 billion

Another sports owner usually in the limelight is David Tepper, who owns the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. He founded Appaloosa Management, a global hedge fund based in Miami Beach, Florida. In 2018, he purchased the Panthers for $2.275 billion, intending to transform the franchise. However, the Panthers have had a challenging period, with several seasons ending in a losing record. He owns a 100% stake in the Panthers, and the team is valued at $4.5 billion.

He has the money to spend big for the Panthers, but the team's ability to work its way out of this muddle remains the question. Hopefully, getting in some new signings and promising players from the draft could spark the change the Panthers need to reinvigorate themselves.

7. (Tie) Steve Cohen - $21.3 billion

The New York Mets signed Juan Soto to an eye-opening 15-year contract worth $765 million, shocking the baseball community. Hence, the Mets are one of the teams to meet as Steve Cohen pulled a masterstroke with Soto. Cohen purchased the Mets on November 08, 2020, for $2.4 billion, and the team has risen from the ashes. Cohen has a 95% stake in the Mets, and the team is valued at $3.2 billion right now.

During his ownership, the team made three playoff appearances, and the 2022 season saw them win 101 games but fail to reach the World Series. Their expectations have risen; they are making smart moves in the market and aim to win the championship. Steve Cohen looks to improve the baseball team and reclaim their glory days.

6. Idan Ofer - $24.8 billion

Although FC Famalicão has one of the richest sports team owners in Idan Ofer, the team reached the first division in 2019 and has stayed in the league since. Ofer, founder of the Quantum Pacific Group, a holding company, purchased a 51% stake in FC Famalicão in 2018. Likewise, they later acquired an 85% stake in 2019, and the club has risen to form since then.

Similar to most clubs where new owners with bags of riches come in and invest in the club, a 7th-place finish in the 2023-2024 season for FC Famalicão puts them on the map. Moreover, the $59.7 million valued club looks dangerous, and with the $24.8 billion net worth of Idan Ofer, they have the spending power to take the team forward. Thus, in this list of richest sports team owners, Idan Ofer can transform the club altogether.

5. Daniel Gilbert - $24.9 billion

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a season to forget after becoming the favorite to land the NBA title, only to finish the season with an embarrassing playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. Although the Pacers deserve respect for their effort, the Cavaliers had a run to remember. Most of the credit goes to Daniel Gilbert and his band of brothers in the front office. The billionaire, co-founder and majority owner of Rocket Mortgage and founder of Rock Ventures, purchased the Cavaliers in 2005 for $375 million. He's landed them an NBA title, though.

However, reports emerged that Gilbert is open to selling 15% of the Cavaliers' minority stake to new owners. Gilbert’s Rocket Companies' share value dipped from $20 to $11 at one point but bounced back his share value after that. The Cavaliers, though, are valued at $3.95 billion according to Forbes, and they are one of the super teams of the NBA. Thus, Gilbert is one of the richest sports team owners in the world and hopes his Cavaliers could win another NBA title.

4. Henry Samueli - $26.7 billion

In 1991, Henry Samueli and his team developed semiconductor and software solutions for broadband communications, which radically transformed the world's wireless and networking capabilities. He co-founded Broadcom Corporation in 1991 with Henry Nicholas, and it's his main source of income. Therefore, his passion for sports helped him land with the Anaheim Ducks. He secured the Stanley Cup in 2007, the franchise's only Stanley Cup, and Samueli played a crucial role in it.

Samueli's net worth significantly increased due to Broadcom's success. With deep pockets, he can make critical investments in his NHL team and get the Ducks back to their glory days. The last time the Ducks won a division championship was back in 2017. Hopefully, they can reclaim their glorious past. The Ducks are valued at $1.3 billion, and Henry Samueli remains one of the richest sports team owners in the world​.

3. Miriam Adelson & family - $34 billion

A businesswoman, philanthropist, and political donor, Miriam Adelson and her family have a net worth of $32.1 billion, and the Dallas Mavericks remain under their control. After the team traded Luka Doncic through the door, they got the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft and landed Cooper Flagg. It's the start of big things for the owners and the franchise as the Mavericks have skyrocketed to the top.

They purchased a 73% ownership stake for $3.5 billion to own the majority stake at the Mavericks, but the high-season ticket prices have caused tensions between the owners and the fans. Their primary source of income comes from casinos, as they own the Las Vegas Sands. Right now, the Mavericks are valued at $4.7 billion, and the team looks set to start a new chapter with one of the new richest sports team owners in the sport.

2. Rob Walton & family - $113.7 billion

The two richest sports team owners in the world differ by over $75+ billion. Rob Walton and his family come in second with $113.7 billion, and the Denver Broncos. On August 9, 2022, Rob Walton's ownership group, the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, purchased the Broncos for a $4.65 billion deal. He initially held a 34% stake, but the ownership structure was adjusted for the NFL's $5.5 billion-valued franchise.

The Broncos need new players to get their franchise up and running. But who better to have than Rob Walton, who could pump in the money? He's the heir to the Walmart fortune and served as Walmart's board chairman from 1992 to 2015. His interest in owning a sports team peaked, and the Broncos have wealthy owners who could invest heavily in the franchise, as he is one of the richest sports team owners in the NFL.

1. Steve Ballmer - $142.6 billion

The change in the Los Angeles Clippers' fortunes started when Steve Ballmer purchased them in 2014 for $2 billion. But they have been under the shadow of their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, for quite some time now. Although they shared the same venue for a long time, the Intuit Dome escaped them from the jaws of the Lakers fans, and now they have an area to boast about. It's quite literally the best arena in terms of facilities right now, and they hold multiple events apart from basketball.

The Clippers are currently valued at $5.5 billion, and Ballmer has a 100% ownership stake in them. The team has done well in recent seasons but has yet to overcome the last hurdle. Apart from all the ownership wealth, the franchise made some eye-opening decisions to trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Paul George, as we know how that deal has gone down the road. Thus, who is the richest sports team owner? Steve Ballmer is your answer, who ranks on top with $142.6 billion.