The Richest and ‘Poorest’ Owners in Professional Sports
Gabrielle Olya
8 min read
Daniel Padavona / Shutterstock.com
Unless you inherited a sports team, you’ll usually need a few million dollars — or even billions of dollars — to become a professional sports team owner. But because some teams have been passed down for generations — and some teams are more valuable than others — there’s a large range in the wealth of the individuals and families who own these teams.
GOBankingRates referenced Forbes’ most recent MLB, NFL and NBA team valuations, along with a variety of sources to find each team owner’s net worth. Corporate entities and team owners with no reliable net worth information available were excluded from the final ranking. Find out if your favorite team’s owner is among the richest in their sport.
Last updated: Jan. 28, 2021
New
The 'Poorest' Owners in Professional Sports
It’s hard to call any of these team owners poor, as all have net worths in the millions — and sometimes billions. But it’s all relative, and the world of pro sports is an extremely wealthy one. Here are the 26 “poorest” team owners, ranked from least to most “poor.”
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dan Weir/Ppauk/Shutterstock (9319267cr)Crystal Palace Chairman, David Blitzer watches Crystal Palace v Burnley from the stands at Selhurst Park Stadium during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Burnley on 13th January 2018 at Selhurst Park Stadium, Croydon, London.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alex Brandon/AP/Shutterstock (6798557h)Ted Leonsis Ted Leonsis, majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Washington Mystics, waits for an interview before an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, in WashingtonCalgary Capitals Hockey, Washington.
23. (tie) Ted Leonsis -- Washington Wizards
Net worth: $1 billion
Team value: $1.8 billion
Team purchase price: $551 million
Year purchased: 2010
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Christopher Szagola/Csm/Shutterstock (9123196b), 2017, Los Angeles Chargers CEO Dean Spanos looks on prior to the NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New JerseyNFL Chargers vs Giants, East Rutherford, USA - 08 Oct 2017.
23. (tie) Dean Spanos -- Los Angeles Chargers
Net worth: $1 billion
Team value: $2.5 billion
Team purchase price: $72 million
Year purchased: 1984
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Minchillo/AP/Shutterstock (6015005ag)Michael Brown Cincinnati Bengals owner Michael Brown watches his players during NFL football training camp, in CincinnatiBengals Camp Football, Cincinnati, USA.
22. Michael Brown -- Cincinnati Bengals
Net worth: $925 million
Team value: $2 billion
Team purchase price: $7.5 million
Year purchased: 1967
Martha Firestone Ford Detroit Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford reads a prepared statement in in Allen Park, Mich.
19. (tie) Martha Firestone Ford -- Detroit Lions
Net worth: $800 million
Team value: $2 billion
Team purchase price: $4.5 million
Year purchased: 1964
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Risberg/AP/Shutterstock (6285651m)Jerry West, Peter Guber, Joe Lacob Jerry West, center, sits between Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob, left, and Peter Guber, right, after being introduced as a new member of the basketball club's Executive Board, during a news conference in San Francisco, .
19. (tie) Peter Guber -- Golden State Warriors
Net worth: $800 million
Team value: $4.3 billion
Team purchase price: $450 million
Year purchased: 2010
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris O'Meara/AP/Shutterstock (6328592a)Stuart Sternberg Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg gestures while announcing, at Tropicana Field in St.
19. (tie) Stuart Sternberg -- Tampa Bay Rays
Net worth: $800 million
Team value: $1.1 billion
Team purchase price: $200 million
Year purchased: 2004
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aaron Gash/AP/Shutterstock (10359350v)Milwaukee Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio walks off the field after a ceremony before a baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers, in MilwaukeeRangers Brewers Baseball, Milwaukee, USA - 09 Aug 2019.
16. (tie) Mark Attanasio -- Milwaukee Brewers
Net worth: $700 million
Team value: $1.2 billion
Team purchase price: $223 million
Year purchased: 2005
From left to right, Colorado Rockies head coach, Jim Leyland, talks with Rockies owners Charles and Richard Monfort Friday morning at spring training camp in Tucson.
16. (tie) Richard & Charles Monfort -- Colorado Rockies
Net worth: $700 million
Team value: $1.3 billion
Team purchase price: $95 million
Year purchased: 1992
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John G Mabanglo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (9324856t)Vivek RanadiveUtah Jazz at Sacramento Kings, USA - 17 Jan 2018Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive gestures for a photo after the Kings NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, USA, 17 January 2018.
16. (tie) Vivek Ranadive -- Sacramento Kings
Net worth: $700 million
Team value: $1.8 billion
Team purchase price: $534 million
Year purchased: 2013
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock (618821u)Jerry Buss with family and friendsJerry Buss receiving star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, America - 30 Oct 2006.
14. (tie) Jerry Buss Family Trusts -- Los Angeles Lakers
Net worth: $600 million
Team value: $4.4 billion
Team purchase price: $20 million
Year purchased: 1979
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark J Terrill/AP/Shutterstock (9350498a)Ken Kendrick, Derrick Hall.
14. (tie) Ken Kendrick -- Arizona Diamondbacks
Net worth: $600 million
Team value: $1.3 billion
Team purchase price: $238 million
Year purchased: 2004
Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (8825654h)San Diego Padres executive chairman and co-owner Ron Fowler looks over prior to a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in San DiegoDiamondbacks Padres Baseball, San Diego, USA - 19 May 2017.
8. (tie) Ron Fowler -- San Diego Padres
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $1.5 billion
Team purchase price: $600 million
Year purchased: 2012
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bill Kostroun/AP/Shutterstock (10011617r)New York Giants owner John Mara walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in East Rutherford, N.
8. (tie) John Mara -- New York Giants
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $3.9 billion
Team purchase price: $500 million
Year purchased: 1925
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock (6345534a)Aubry McClendon Chesapeake Energy Corp.
8. (tie) Aubrey McClendon Estate -- Oklahoma City Thunder
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $1.6 billion
Team purchase price: $325 million
Year purchased: 2006
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Keith Srakocic/AP/Shutterstock (5950480q)Arthur J.
8. (tie) Daniel Rooney Trust & Arthur Rooney II -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $2.8 billion
Team purchase price: $2,500
Year purchased: 1933
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeff Roberson/AP/Shutterstock (9422115n)Miami Marlins majority owner Bruce Sherman watches during spring training baseball practice, in Jupiter, FlaMarlins Spring Baseball, Jupiter, USA - 19 Feb 2018.
8. (tie) Bruce Sherman -- Miami Marlins
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $1 billion
Team purchase price: $1.2 billion
Year purchased: 2017
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock (6306116t)Jeff Wilpon, Fred Wilpon Jeff Wilpon, left, and Fred Wilpon, right, at a news conference, at Citi Field in New YorkMets Baseball, New York, USA.
8. (tie) Fred & Jeff Wilpon -- New York Mets
Net worth: $500 million
Team value: $2.4 billion
Team purchase price: $391 million
Year purchased: 2002
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (8957213cq)Stephen Pagliuca, Chairman of Bain CapitalAllen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Idaho, USA - 12 Jul 2017.
7. Stephen Pagliuca -- Boston Celtics
Net worth: $450 million
Team value: $3.1 billion
Team purchase price: $360 million
Year purchased: 2002
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: (L-R) NBA Commissioner David Stern talks with Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clayton Bennett as the United States takes on Australia during the Men's Basketball quaterfinal game on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 8, 2012 in London, England.
3. (tie) Clayton Bennett -- Oklahoma City Thunder
Net worth: $400 million
Team value: $1.6 billion
Team purchase price: $325 million
Year purchased: 2006
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Minchillo/AP/Shutterstock (6090373d)Robert Castellini Robert Castellini, CEO of the Cincinnati Reds, attends the MLB "Largest Game of Catch" event related to the 2015 All-Star Game Baseball game, in Cincinnati.
3. (tie) Robert Castellini -- Cincinnati Reds
Net worth: $400 million
Team value: $1.1 billion
Team purchase price: $270 million
Year purchased: 2006
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 31: Wyc Grousbeck CEO, governor, and co-owner of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on March 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.
3. (tie) Wycliffe Grousbeck -- Boston Celtics
Net worth: $400 million
Team value: $3.1 billion
Team purchase price: $360 million
Year purchased: 2002
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt York/AP/Shutterstock (6380604a)SARVER Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver celebrates with his team during a Western Conference playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies, in Phoenix.
3. (tie) Robert Sarver -- Phoenix Suns
Net worth: $400 million
Team value: $1.6 billion
Team purchase price: $404 million
Year purchased: 2004
Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis watches warm ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, CalifRaiders 49ers Football, Santa Clara, USA - 01 Nov 2018.
2. Mark Davis -- Oakland Raiders
Net worth: $250 million
Team value: $2.9 billion
Team purchase price: $180,000
Year purchased: 1966
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 11: CEO Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs cheers on the team in the second half while taking on the Miami Heat during Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 11, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.
1. Holt Family -- San Antonio Spurs
Net worth: $200 million
Team value: $1.8 billion
Team purchase price: $76 million
Year purchased: 1996
"Los Angeles, California, USA - October 10th 2010: Exterior of the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, during a home game of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Richest Owners in Professional Sports
It takes a lot of money to own a pro sports teams — and these individuals and families have a lot of it. These are the 26 richest team owners.
Baltimore Ravens owner Stephen Bisciotti before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in LondonRavens Jaguars Football, London, United Kingdom - 24 Sep 2017.
21. (tie) Stephen Bisciotti -- Baltimore Ravens
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $2.8 billion
Team purchase price: $600 million
Year purchased: 2004
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is seen during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.
21. (tie) Arthur Blank -- Atlanta Falcons
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $2.8 billion
Team purchase price: $545 million
Year purchased: 2002
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lm Otero/AP/Shutterstock (6264559g)William DeWitt, Jr St.
21. (tie) William DeWitt Jr. -- St. Louis Cardinals
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $2.2 billion
Team purchase price: $150 million
Year purchased: 1996
Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/REX/Shutterstock (9258982ij)Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam walks on the field before an NFL preseason football game between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns, in Cleveland.
21. (tie) Dee & Jimmy Haslam -- Cleveland Browns
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $2.2 billion
Team purchase price: $987 million
Year purchased: 2012
Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (8586798h)The Ilitch family stands next to a logo in tribute to Mike Ilitch during a ceremony before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, in DetroitRed Sox Tigers Baseball, Detroit, USA - 07 Apr 2017.
21. (tie) Ilitch Family -- Detroit Tigers
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $1.3 billion
Team purchase price: $82 million
Year purchased: 1992
Houston Texans owner Janice McNair talks with with players before an NFL football game, in Tampa, FlaTexans Buccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 21 Dec 2019.
21. (tie) Janice McNair -- Houston Texans
Net worth: $4 billion
Team value: $3.1 billion
Team purchase price: $600 million
Year purchased: 1999
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6325095f)Dan Gilbert Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert talks with the media at a press availability at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio onCavaliers-Izzo, Independence, USA.
20. Dan Gilbert -- Cleveland Cavaliers
Net worth: $4.2 billion
Team value: $1.5 billion
Team purchase price: $375 million
Year purchased: 2005
Mark Cuban net worth
19. Mark Cuban -- Dallas Mavericks
Net worth: $4.5 billion
Team value: $2.4 billion
Team purchase price: $280 million
Year purchased: 2000
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Duncan/AP/Shutterstock (6292991p)Larry Dolan Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan, left, talks with catcher Carlos Santana during baseball spring training, in Goodyear, ArizIndians Spring Baseball, Goodyear, USA.
16. (tie) Lawrence & Paul Dolan
Net worth: $4.6 billion
Team value: $1.2 billion
Team purchase price: $323 million
Year purchased: 2000
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden, center, poses with Glazer family members, owners of the team, after being inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor during halftime of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, in Tampa, FlaFalcons Buccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 18 Dec 2017.
16. (tie) Glazer Family -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Net worth: $4.6 billion
Team value: $2.2 billion
Team purchase price: $192 million
Year purchased: 1995
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula Terry Pegula, the new Buffalo Bills owner, right, speaks during a pre-game ceremony as his wife, Kim Pegula, watches before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Orchard Park, N.
16. (tie) Terry & Kim Pegula
Net worth: $4.6 billion
Team value: $1.9 billion
Team purchase price: $1.4 billion
Year purchased: 2014
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Wayne Parry/AP/Shutterstock (10418430b)This photo shows Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta at a press conference in his Golden Nugget casino in Atlantic City, N.
15. Tilman Fertitta -- Houston Rockets
Net worth: $4.7 billion
Team value: $2.5 billion
Team purchase price: $2.2 billion
Year purchased: 2017
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Peter Cosgrove/AP/Shutterstock (6458200a)DEVOS Orlando Magic owner and chairman Rich DeVos announces at a news conference in Orlando, Fla.
14. DeVos Family -- Orlando Magic
Net worth: $5.4 billion
Team value: $1.4 billion
Team purchase price: $85 million
Year purchased: 1991
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andrew Cutraro/EPA/Shutterstock (7916350d)Mark Lerner Owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball Team Acknowledges the Crowd During a Ground Breaking Ceremony For the Team's New Stadium in Southeast Washington Dc Thursday 4 May 2006 to the Left of Lerner is Linda Cropp Chairman of the City Council and to His Right is Mayor Anthony WilliamsUsa Baseball New Stadium - May 2006.
13. Lerner Family -- Washington Nationals
Net worth: $5.5 billion
Team value: $1.9 billion
Team purchase price: $450 million
Year purchased: 2006
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Wilfredo Lee/AP/Shutterstock (6417867a)Micky Arison, owner of Carnival Cruise Lines and the Miami Heat, looks on before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Miami.
11. (tie) Micky Arison -- Miami Heat
Net worth: $6.2 billion
Team value: $2 billion
Team purchase price: $32.5 million
Year purchased: 1988
Robert Kraft New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft arrives on the field before the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Glendale, ArizSuper Bowl Football, Glendale, USA.
11. (tie) Robert Kraft -- New England Patriots
Net worth: $6.2 billion
Team value: $4.1 billion
Team purchase price: $172 million
Year purchased: 1994
San-Francisco-Giants-ATT-Park
10. Charles Johnson -- San Francisco Giants
Net worth: $6.7 billion
Team value: $3.1 billion
Team purchase price: $100 million
Year purchased: 1993
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock (9271451g)Stan Kroenke, Stanley Kroenke.
8. (tie) Stanley Kroenke -- Denver Nuggets/Los Angeles Rams
Net worth: $7.7 billion
Team value: $1.6 billion (Nuggets)/$3.8 billion (Rams)
Team purchase price: $202 million (Nuggets)/$750 million (Rams)
Year purchased: 2000/2010
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, watches his team warm up before an NFL football gam against the Buffalo Bills, in Miami Gardens, FlaBills Dolphins Football, Miami Gardens, USA - 17 Nov 2019.
8. (tie) Stephen Ross -- Miami Dolphins
Net worth: $7.7 billion
Team value: $2.8 billion
Team purchase price: $1.1 billion
Year purchased: 2008
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones smiles during a press conference at the NFL football team training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
7. Jerry Jones -- Dallas Cowboys
Net worth: $8.5 billion
Team value: $5.5 billion
Team purchase price: $150 million
Year purchased: 1989
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Cetrino/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (9328267k)Shahid KahnJacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots, Foxborough, USA - 21 Jan 2018Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Kahn on the field before the Jaguars face the New England Patirots in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA, 21 January 2018.
6. Shahid Kahn-- Jacksonville Jaguars
Net worth: $9 billion
Team value: $2.3 billion
Team purchase price: $770 million
Year purchased: 2011
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Str/EPA/Shutterstock (8133689e)Joe Tsai Alibaba Group Vice Chairman Speaks During a Press Conference Ahead of the 2016 Alibaba Group 11 11 Global Shopping Festival in Shenzhen Guangdong Province China 10 November 2016 Starting From Midnight and Lasting Throughout the Day on 11 November Also Known As Singles' Day Alibaba Group Holds the World's Largest 24-hour Online Shopping Event China ShenzhenChina Alibaba Shopping Festival - Nov 2016Joe Tsai, Alibaba group vice chairman, speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2016 Alibaba Group 11.
5. Joseph Tsai -- Brooklyn Nets
Net worth: $10.5 billion
Team value: $2.5 billion
Team purchase price: $3.3 billion
Year purchased: 2019
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Shutterstock (1486259ah)Philip Anschutz, owner of AEGLA Galaxy v NY Red Bulls MLS football match, Los Angeles, America - 03 Nov 2011.
4. Philip Anschutz -- Los Angeles Lakers
Net worth: $11 billion
Team value: $4.4 billion
Team purchase price: $268 million
Year purchased: 1998
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Bazemore/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9689623d)David Tepper speaks during a news conference where he was introduced as the new owner of the Carolina Panthers at the NFL owners spring meeting, in AtlantaNFL Owners Meeting Football, Atlanta, USA - 22 May 2018.
3. David Tepper -- Carolina Panthers
Net worth: $12 billion
Team value: $2.4 billion
Team purchase price: $2.3 billion
Year purchased: 2018
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elaine Thompson/AP/REX/Shutterstock (6022611ab)Paul Allen Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen is shown on the field prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in SeattlePatriots Seahawks Football, Seattle, USA.
2. Paul Allen Estate/Trust -- Portland Trailblazers/Seattle Seahawks
Net worth: $20.3 billion
Team value: $1.9 billion (Trailblazers)/$2.8 billion (Seahawks)
Team purchase price: $70 million (Trailblazers)/$194 million (Seahawks)
Year purchased: 1988 (Trailblazers)/1997 (Seahawks)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jae C Hong/AP/Shutterstock (6119672m)Steve Ballmer New Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer applauds after speaking at the Clippers Fan Festival, in Los AngelesClippers Ballmer Basketball, LA, USA.
Methodology: To find the richest and “poorest” owners in professional sports, GOBankingRates began by referencing Forbes’ most recent Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association team valuations. GOBankingRates used Forbes’ data to find the (1) notable owners, (2) 2020 team value, (3) purchase price and (4) year of purchase for every team in all three leagues analyzed. Then, GOBankingRates used a variety of sources (primarily Forbes, Celebrity Net Worth and the Los Angeles Times) to find (5) each owner’s net worth. Corporate entities and team owners with no reliable net worth information available were excluded from the final ranking.
