The Forbes 400 list has been released, and the top 20 owners on the list have seen a combined increase in their fortunes of $122 billion over the past year. These owners are now worth more than half a trillion dollars, with 54 billionaires being the controlling owner of a sports team in a major professional league. Among these billionaires, 14 own NBA teams, making team ownership an increasingly popular investment opportunity.
The top 20 richest sports team owners in America have a combined net worth of $504 billion, a 32% increase from the previous year. These owners hold controlling stakes in various teams across different major sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, WNBA, and the Women’s Super League. Almost all of these owners have seen an increase in their wealth, thanks to the rising valuations of their sports teams and robust performance in the public markets.
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer continues to hold the top spot as America’s richest sports team owner, with a net worth of $123 billion. He purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014, and the team’s value has more than doubled over the past decade. Other owners, such as Walmart heir Rob Walton and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, have also seen substantial increases in their net worth due to their ownership of publicly traded companies.
The increasing financial conditions have made it even more challenging to enter the exclusive club of the top sports team owners. It now takes at least $9.3 billion to rank among the 20 richest sports owners in America, with owners like Stephen Bisciotti dropping off the list due to the high entry bar. Miriam Adelson is the only owner in the top 20 whose fortune declined over the past year, despite purchasing the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion.
The top sports team owners in America represent a wide range of teams and industries. Owners like Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Shahid Khan of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots have made significant investments in their teams and continue to be influential figures in the world of sports. These owners have seen growth in their net worth and have made strategic moves to expand their sports empires.
Overall, the top sports team owners in America are experiencing significant financial success, with their combined wealth reaching unprecedented levels. This trend reflects the increasing value of sports teams as investments and the growing interest in owning professional sports franchises. As these owners continue to see their fortunes rise, they are expected to make further investments in their teams and contribute to the growth of the sports industry as a whole.
