Top 25 Richest Sports Team Owners in 2023

Sports is the biggest source of entertainment across the globe. The world’s top 10 richest sports team owners have a combined net worth of an enormous $353 Billion. With COVID-19 and the volatile market in consideration, these owners have found faith in their teams to make them one of the richest people on this planet.

Crypto companies, gambling operators, and data providers have all joined the race to have the future of a bright sport. These investments have helped all the sporting activities walk out of their losses. Los Angeles Clippers owner tops the list as of 2022, pulling off all the tricks up his sleeve to retain the richest sports on earth honor.

Steve Ballmer, Mukesh Ambani, and Carlos Slim make the Top 3 richest sports team owners with a combined worth of $271.5 billion. Let’s have a look at the World’s Top 25 Richest Sports Team Owners.

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T-24. Nasser Al-Khelaifi – Paris Saint-Germain FC (Ligue 1), Paris Saint-Germain Handball – $8 billion

On 7th October 2011, Paris Saint Germain FC appointed a new President and Chief Executive Officer, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. He promised to take the team to the top but could not deliver. PSG under him was knocked out of the UEFA Europa League and finished second in the Ligue 1.

After a lot of effort and money drained, Nasser brought in mega stars to his team which provided him the comfort of winning Ligue 1 but his dream to bring home the Champions League trophy is still unfinished.

T-24. Nassef Sawiris – Aston Villa (EPL) – $8 billion

Nassef Sawiris is an Egyptian Businessman who in 2015 acquired a stake in Adidas AG. By the next year, he was appointed as the supervisory director of Adidas AG, Germany. His love for sports grew, which made him replace Tony Xia as Aston Villa’s chairman. He took the team to the Premier League in 2019.

T-22. Hasso Plattner & family – San Jose Sharks (NHL) – $8.2 billion

Hasso Plattner is a German Billionaire. He invested in the NHL team San Jose Sharks but has been more like an absentee owner. General Manager Mike Grier runs the hockey operations.

T-22. Stephen Ross – Miami Dolphins (NFL) – $8.2 billion

Stephen Ross is an American International who owns 95% of the Miami Dolphins and is also the initial investor of the Drone Racing League. He bought the team, the stadium, and the surrounding land in 2008 for $550 million (50%) and added his stake in the company for 95% the next year, the total deal being $1.1 billion.

21. Robert Kraft – New England Patriots (NFL), New England Revolution (MLS) – $8.3 billion

One of the most successful sports team owners, Robert Kraft has bagged 6 super bowl championships with the New England Patriots. The Kraft Group chairman and the chief executive officer have a very diverse portfolio. Robert Kraft was named the Honorary Chairman of the board of directors for the bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

He has been in and around many sports franchises. He was even willing to buy EPL club Liverpool in 2005.

20. Joseph Tsai – Brooklyn Nets (NBA) – $8.6 billion

Joseph Tsai is a Yale University graduate. He is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of the multinational tech company Alibaba Group.

Joseph Tsai owns Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, San Diego Seats, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, and Barclays Centre. He has also made investments in Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC. Fun Facts, Tsai holds Canadian and Hong dual citizenship.

19. The Coates Family – Stoke City (EPL) – $9.4 billion

Peter Coates is the founder of Bet365 and the chairman of Stoke City. He has been a majority stakeholder of the club since 1986 and was even promoted to chairman in the same year after buying the club from Sandy Clubb.

He transformed the position of the club under his reign from being a relegation team to joining Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup in the 2010-11 season.

18. Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys (NFL) – $10.6 billion

Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys back in 1989 and transformed the team into being considered the best NFL franchise in the 1990s. But as the 2000s began, Jones faced a lot of backlash. He was named the least favorite by Sports Illustrated in three US states. Many fans criticized him for trying to be the face of the team as he was the team owner and the general manager.

17. Christopher Johnson – New York Jets (NFL) – $10.7 billion

Johnson is the co-owner of the New York Jets, the other partner being his brother Woody. He stood by the players when NFL enacted the rule to penalize players who do not stand during the Anthem.

“If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organization, by me, not the players,” Johnson said. “I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players. Do I prefer that they stand? Of course. But I understand if they felt the need to protest.”

16. Philip Anschutz – Los Angeles Kings (NHL), LA Galaxy (MLS) – $11 billion

Philip Anschutz has a very diverse portfolio himself. He either owns or controls companies in many industries. He was among the dignitaries who founded Major League Soccer. He was the fifth most influential person in the world in 2012. When MLS kicked off he was the owner of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, D.C. United, and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.

15. John Fredriksen – Velerenga Fotball – $12.2 billion

John is the owner of the largest oil tanker fleet in the world. He holds a majority stake in Velerenga Football. He made his wealth during the Iran-Iraq war. Llyods List listed him as the Top 10 most influential people in 2014.

14. Andrea Agnelli & family – Juventus (Serie A) – $13.5 billion

Agnelli Family has had control over the Serie A club Juventus for decades. Andrea is the fourth member of his family to take control of the club. He made the blockbuster transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid possible but resigned from the chairman position of Juventus on 28th November 2022.

13. Robert Pera – Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) – $16.2 billion

Robert Pera become a billionaire at the age of 36. He was listed amongst the Top youngest billionaire list by Forbes. He took over the NBA team Memphis Grizzles in 2012, the franchise made its first NBA Finals appearance under him.

12. David Tepper – Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte FC (MLS) – $16.7 billion

David Tepper is a hedge fund manager and owns NFL’s Carolina Panthers and MLS’s Charlotte FC. He was forced to sell his Pittsburgh Steelers shares after taking control of the Carolina Panthers.

11. Steve Cohen – New York Mets (MLB) – $17.4 billion

Steve Cohen lands the 11th spot on the richest sports team owners list. He took over 97.2% shares of the MLB‘s New York Mets in 2020. He is one of the most grounded owners as he is active on Twitter taking suggestions from fans in the development of his team.

10. Md. Bin Salman – Newcastle United (EPL) – $18 billion

Mohammed Bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia lands 10th on the richest sports team owners list. His control over Newcastle United was not taken well by plenty of football fans. Amnesty International CEO Sacha Deshmukh expressed, “The Premier League needs to better understand the dynamic of sports-washing and tighten its ownership rules.”

9. Ann and Stanley Kroenke – Arsenal FC (EPL), Los Angeles Rams (NFC West), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS)

The Kroenke Sports and Entertainment company has the most teams under its belt. Arsenal F.C. of the Premier League and Arsenal W.F.C. of the WSL, the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, Denver Nuggets of the NBA, Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League, the Los Angeles Gladiators of the Overwatch League, and the Los Angeles Guerrillas of the Call of Duty League.

8. Daniel Gilbert – Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) – $21.6 billion

The Cleveland Cavaliers owner lands himself on the 8th position of our list. He has been successful in his tenure with the Cavs. He won 6 Central Division Championships, 5 Eastern Conference Championships, and one NBA Championship.

In 2016, Gilberts’ two teams, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters got him two different championships in the span of 8 days. The NBA Championship and the Calder Cup.

7. Sheikh Mansour – Manchester City (EPL), Melbourne City FC (A-League), New York City FC (MLS), Mumbai City FC (ISL) – $22.9 billion

One of the most powerful businessmen in the Middle East and the deputy prime minister of UAE stands 7th on the list of richest sports team owners. He owns the City Football Group and controls Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, New York City FC, and Mumbai City FC.

In 2013, he has even received the title of Honorary Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

6. Dietrich Mateschitz – New York Red Bulls (MLS), Red Bull Racing (Formula 1), RB Leipzig (Bundesliga) – $28.5 billion

6th among the richest sports team owners is Dietrich Mateschitz, the co-founder and 49% stakeholder of Red Bull GmbH. After launching Red Bull drink as a brand, he turned towards investing in several sports teams across the globe, including Formula 1‘s Red Bull Racing, Alpha Tauri, Red Bull Salzburg, and RB Leipzig.

5. Francois Pinault – Stade Rennais FC (Ligue 1) – $40.1 billion

The French Billionaire stands 5th among the richest sports team owners. He bought the Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais in 1998. He is the wealthiest owner across all Ligue 1 teams.

He is also the owner of fashion brands such as Gucci, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent.

4. David Thomson – Winnipeg Jets (NHL), Manitoba Moose – $50.5 billion

Thompson is the 4th among the richest sports team owners and the richest person to own an ice hockey team. The Canadian Billionaire owns two teams based out of Canada itself representing themselves in the NHL and AHL. He has an estimated net worth of $52.4 billion.

3. Carlos Slim – Real Oviedo (LaLiga2) – $80.9 billion

Carlos Slim was the richest man on the planet from the year 2010 to 2013. He saved the former La Liga club Real Oviedo from bankruptcy after buying majority shares. Real Oviedo’s fans were struck with the disappointment of their club nearing bankruptcy and they started a charity fund to raise money. Carlos Slim was impressed by the enthusiasm of the fans that he got pumped up to invest in the club.

2. Steve Ballmer – Richest Sports Team Owner – Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) – $80.7 billion

Steve Ballmer is the former CEO of Microsoft and the current owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. He bought the team for $2 billion after the Donald Sterling scandal. Ballmer was a hardcore Microsoft person and banned the team personnel from using iPhones. He wished to replace all products with products owned by Microsoft.

In a survey conducted by The Athletic in 2020, Steve Ballmer was voted as the best owner an NBA team could have.

1. Mukesh Ambani – Mumbai Indians (IPL) – $83.4 billion

The Indian Billionaire Businessman, Mukesh Ambani owns the Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians. He was recently reportedly seen as interested in buying the English Premier League club Liverpool. Ambani is the 8th richest person in the world.

Mukesh Ambani is also the owner of Reliance Industries, estimated to have assets worth $220 billion.

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