NFL
Which NFL teams have the longest-serving owners?
NFL franchises are often run as family businesses and there are multiple teams that have remained as such since the 1930s.
The 2024 NFL season is just around the corner, and it’s always good to know which franchises have the most stable ownership. At least five teams are approaching their 100th anniversary under consistent ownership, and here’s a look at them:
Halas-McCaskey Family: The Chicago Bears have been owned by the Halas family since 1931, when George Halas purchased Edward Sternaman’s share of the team. After George Halas passed away, his daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey, became the owner. Today, his grandson, George Halas McCaskey, serves as the team president.
Green Bay Packers Inc.: The Green Bay Packers are unique as the only NFL franchise owned by its fans. Since 1923, Green Bay Packers Inc. has overseen ownership, governed by a seven-member executive committee. The team has approximately 5.2 million shares owned by 539,029 shareholders.
Read more about the Packers’ Brazil ‘green ban’
Mara and Tisch Families: The New York Giants have been a family-owned team since their founding in 1925 by Tim Mara. In 1991, Preston Robert Tisch acquired a 50% stake in the franchise. Today, John K. Mara serves as the executive chairman, while Steve Tisch is the executive vice president.
Bidwill Family: The Arizona Cardinals have been under the Bidwill family’s ownership since 1933, when Charles Bidwill purchased the then-Chicago-based team. Ownership passed to his widow, Violet Bidwill Wolfner, from 1947 to 1962, and then to his son, Bill Bidwill, who led the team until 2019. Currently, Michael J. Bidwill, Charles’s grandson, owns the team.
Rooney Family: The Pittsburgh Steelers have been owned by the Rooney family since Art Rooney founded the team in 1933 with a $2,500 NFL franchise fee. The team was later passed down to his son, Dan Rooney, and is now managed by his grandson, Art Rooney II, who has been in charge since 2017.