Who is the richest owner in professional sports?
While NFL owners dominate the list of top ten richest owners in professional sports, a basketball owner leads the list.
The richest owner in all of professional sports is still none other than former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Ballmer, who purchased the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion, led Microsoft from 2000-2014. According to reports, the Clippers are worth about $3.3 billion.
The 66-year-old American has a net worth of about $83 billion, making him the eighth-richest person in the world. Additionally, he was named the richest owner in sports for the eighth straight year Wednesday by Forbes, despite a drop of $13.5 billion due to Microsoft’s stock valuation.
Who are the top five richest owners in professional sports?
While an NBA owner is on top, the top 10 richest owners list is dominated by NFL owners.
Following Ballmer, New Denver Broncos owner and Walmart heir Rob Walton is second on the list, though significantly behind the Harvard graduate. Walton purchased the Broncos earlier this year, along with his ownership group, for an unprecedented record of $4.56 billion. According to reports, the 77-year-old from Oklahoma is worth about $57 billion.
Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC owner David Tepper is third on the list at about $18.5 billion. Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen wind up in the top five.
America’s team owner Jerry Jones, whose Dallas Cowboys are the most valued in all professional sports ($8 billion), is seventh on the list at about $16 billion. That’s gone up about 76% in the past year.
Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroneke is eighth on the list at about $13 billion. The 75-year-old also owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids and Arsenal F.C.
Last but not least, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft sits in tenth place, right before the first NHL owner to appear on the list at No. 11, Philip Anschutz. The Los Angeles Kings owner, who also owns the LA Galaxy, is worth about $11 billion.
Over 10% of Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Americans own a professional sports team.