25. Joe Mansueto (Chicago Fire), $3.9 billion
The founder of Morningstar, Inc., Mansueto bought nearly half of the Fire in 2018 and became full owner of the MLS side in September 2019. The Fire made just two playoff appearances last decade, but a move back to Chicago’s lakefront at Soldier Field and some overall image improvement will at least give the club hope that times will get better.
Image Source: Mint/Getty Images
24. Janice McNair (Houston Texans), $4 billion
America’s wealthiest female sports owner, McNair is the co-founder of the Texans, and took over complete ownership of the NFL team following the death of her husband, Bob, in 2018. With Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt leading the way, the Texans might be ready to take the next step as a franchise.
Image Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images
23. Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks), $4.1 billion
Cuban has tamed down over the years, but he’s still prominent and wealthy enough to be on this list. In addition to owning a Mavericks team that appears set to end a three-year playoff drought behind Slovenian star Luka Dončić, Cuban is chairman of AXS TV and one of the “sharks” on the reality show Shark Tank.
Image Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
22. Jeremy Jacobs Sr. (Boston Bruins), $4.3 billion
Jacobs might not be the most popular owner in sports, but he’s certainly one of the most involved. For better or worse, he was a major player in the NHL’s 2012-13 lockout. Jacobs’ son, Charlie Jacobs, is the CEO of the Bruins (via holding the same role with Delaware North), Jeremy still is quite active in the day-to-day operations of the Original Six club.
Image Source: Boston Globe/Getty Images
21. Joshua Harris (Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Crystal Palace), $4.4 billion
Like several names on this list, Harris felt having some ownership action in one sports franchise is not enough. Harris is the majority owner of the NHL’s Devils, is a managing partner of the group that owns the Sixers, and has a reported 18 percent share of Palace of the English Premier League.
Image Source: Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
20. Stephen Bisciotti (Baltimore Ravens), $4.5 billion
The Aerotek founder, Bisciotti has won two Super Bowl titles since buying into the Ravens franchise. He’s responsible for the team’s brilliant state-of-the-art training facility and hiring current coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore won 12 straight to end the 2019 regular season, but — even with home-field advantage in the AFC playoff — lost to the Tennessee Titans in its first postseason contest.
Image Source: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
19. Henry Samueli (Anaheim Ducks), $4.6 billion
One of southern California’s most influential people. Samueli purchased the club then known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2005. During his watch, the Ducks became the first California-based NHL team to the win the Stanley Cup (2006-07). Samueli also serves on the Executive Committee of the NHL Board of Governors.
Image Source: MediaNews Group/Getty Images
T18. Terry Pegula (Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres), $4.9 billion
Pegula, who has wife Kim by his side, is aching to bring the Lombardi Trophy as well as the Stanley Cup to western New York. While the Bills have shown enough improvement to make the playoffs and at least challenge for a Super Bowl, the Sabres have not reached the postseason since 2010-11.
Image Source: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
T18. Charles Johnson (San Francisco Giants), $4.9 billion
Johnson’s stint as Giants owner has not been without controversy, and included some questionable political donations. San Francisco, however, was baseball’s most successful club last decade while winning three World Series titles in ’10, ’12, and ’14.
Image Source: NewsBeezer
T18. Tilman Fertitta (Houston Rockets), $4.9 billion
The renowned restauranteur (Landry’s) bought the Rockets in 2017 for a reported $2.2 billion. With James Harden and Russell Westbrook together in Houston, it will be interesting to see if the team’s star-studded duo can finally make the club a serious contender to claim its first NBA title since the back-to-back runs of ’94 and ’95.
Image Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images
15. Lerner Family (Washington Nationals), $5.1 billion
Though Ted Lerner retired as the managing principal owner of the Nationals, his family remains the majority owner of the club that just won a World Series. Lerner’s son, Mark Lerner, currently fills his dad’s role with the team, and the family is also a partner with Monumental Sports & Entertainment — which owns Washington’s Wizards, Capitals and Mystics.
Image Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
14. Dolan Family (New York Knicks, New York Rangers), $5.3 billion
So, the Knicks are an NBA train wreck that have not been to the playoffs since 2013 and the Rangers are set to miss the postseason for a third consecutive season. The Dolans, led by Charles and son James (the latter who handles the everyday operations of those teams), continue to make questionable moves — especially with the Knicks — to upset a once-passionate fan base. At least the Dolan’s are still getting rich through the Madison Square Garden Company.
Image Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
13. Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC), $5.5 billion
While Blank’s Falcons are still waiting on the franchise’s first Super Bowl title (they came so close during the 2016 season), his Atlanta United won the MLS Cup in just its second year of existence in 2018. Blank is still one of the most influential owners in all of sports and also co-founded The Home Depot.
Image Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
12. Tom Gores (Detroit Pistons), $5.6 billion
Gores has been the lone owner of the Pistons since 2015. Detroit has had two playoff appearances since 2015-16 and it doesn’t look like that number will increase this season. Gores reportedly is also trying to bring an MLS franchise to the Detroit area, and that apparently remains a possibility as the league continues to grow.
Image Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
11. Robert Pera (Memphis Grizzlies), $6.4 billion
At 41 years old, Pera is essentially a youngen, but has certainly done well for himself. The founder of Ubiquiti Networks, Pera bought the Grizzlies in 2012 and that season they reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in club history while also winning a franchise-best 56 games. Memphis also is in the mix to end a two-year postseason drought.
Image Source: Bloomberg
10. Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers), $6.5 billion
Even the most casual sports fan should know about Gilbert. While the once perennial NBA doormat Cavaliers have thrived under Gilbert and finally won the city an NBA title in 2016, his relationship with LeBron James is still a talking point, specifically “The Letter” that Gilbert penned in response to James’ The Decision – to leave Cleveland for Miami in 2010. While James returned to play for the Cavs, he and Gilbert still have an interesting relationship, to say the least.
Image Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
9. Robert Kraft (New England Patriots, New England Revolution), $6.9 billion
One of the more well-known names on this list, Kraft owns what’s arguably become the greatest franchise in NFL history. On the MLS front, his Revolution are coached by perhaps the greatest American manager of all time in Bruce Arena. Of course, Kraft has had his issues and moments of controversy (that massage parlor thing comes to mind). Kraft’s biggest challenge at the moment is trying to keep Tom Brady from retirement.
Image Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
8. Stephen Ross (Miami Dolphins), $7.6 million
Ross has been the principal owner of the Dolphins since 2009, but rumors are starting to spread that he might be interested in selling the team. Ross refuted such reports, telling the Miami Herald that he will own the team “until I die.” The Dolphins have made the playoffs just twice since the start of the 2002 season.
Image Source: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
7. Shahid Khan (Jacksonville Jaguars, Fulham F.C.), $7.8 billion
Khan has gone from living in a YMCA as a college teenager in Illinois to one of the richest people on the planet. Also the owner of the Flex-N-Gate (auto manufacturer) and English football club Fulham, Khan was the first member of an ethnic minority to take ownership of an NFL team when he bought the Jaguars in 2012. There has been talk that Khan’s Jaguars could be the first NFL team based in England, and talks will intensify even further as the team prepares to play two games at Wembley Stadium in 2020.
Image Source: Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
6. Micky Arison (Miami Heat), $8.1 billion
Owner of the Heat since the mid-1990s, Arison has done pretty well for himself in the NBA game. Under his watch, Miami has won three NBA titles (2006, 2012 and 2013), doing so with marquee names like Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the mix. The Heat also made four straight appearances in the NBA Finals from 2011-’14.
Image Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images
5. Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys), $8.6 billion
If there’s one owner in all of sports history who draws more attention to himself than his team, it’s Jones. Yes, everything is bigger in Texas, but Jones’ life is much grander than the team’s persona. From the Cowboys’ home at “Jerry World”, to their massive training/practice facility, to his constant meddling with the team’s personnel and direction — Jones is as big as any celebrity around.
Image Source: Eric Isaacs/Getty Images
4. Stan Kroenke (Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal, Colorado Rapids), $9.7 billion
Kroenke has not made a lot of friends over the years when it comes to the sports ownership portion of his resume. He moved the Rams out of his home state of Missouri back to L.A., and plenty of Arsenal supporters wish someone else was in charge of their side. Meanwhile, Kroenke’s wife, Ann, the daughter of Walmart co-founder “Bud” Walton, is technically (at least in name) owner of the Avalanche and Nuggets.
Image Source: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
3. Philip Anschutz (Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Lakers), $11.5 billion
He’s been dubbed “The Man Who Owns L.A.” The co-founder of MLS, Anschutz’s ownership interest goes beyond the Kings, Galaxy and Lakers (which he owns stakes in). Anschutz owns the popular Coachella music festival outside of Los Angeles, and his Anschutz Entertainment Group also owns and operates Staples Center.
Image Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
2. David Tepper, (Carolina Panthers), $12 billion
At one time, Tepper had a small stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Panthers became all his in 2018. Carolina last made the playoffs in 2017 and Cam Newton’s health is a concern. Tepper, meanwhile, also is owner of the expansion Carolina MLS franchise (name to be determined) that is slated to begin play for the 2021 season.
Image Source: Grant Halverson/Getty Images
1. Steve Ballmer (Los Angeles Clippers), $51.7 billion
Ballmer not only has the cash, but he has the passion that is somewhat refreshing in a sports owner. The former CEO of Microsoft, Ballmer took over ownership of Los Angeles’ “other” NBA team when the disgraced Donald Sterling was forced by the league to sell team. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in Clippers’ uniforms, the franchise might be getting closer to its first NBA title — which would likely send Ballmer through the roof with jubilation.
Image Source: Handout/Getty Images