Having lots of money that allows you to do anything you want to is one thing. Having lots of money and owning a pro sports team is a whole different beast. With millions of fans around the world hoping that, one day, they could be in the position of these 16 guys—and not just because of their mega-big bank accounts—here are the richest pro sports teams owners in America. Yeah, they get to be their team’s biggest fan every day of the week.
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16. Tom Gores – $3 billion (Detroit Pistons)
OK, so the city of Detroit might be stuck in bankruptcy, but there’s, at least, one person who is making plenty of coin. That would be Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, who, although his team is still trying to find its identity and get back on track towards a title, is worth $3 billion.
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15. Ray Davis – $3.1 billion (Texas Rangers)
Texas Rangers owner Ray Davis might be worth $3.1 billion, but, I’m sure, he would prefer to have a World Series ring on his finger rather than all those bills. He hasn’t been short on options in the title category, either, with his Rangers making it to back-to-back appearances in the Fall Classic after he took over ownership in 2010.
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14. Jeremy Jacobs – $3.2 billion (Boston Bruins)
One of the more steady owners in all of sports, Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs has done more than a steady job at running his franchise. Running the team since 1975 and overseeing one Stanley Cup title in Beantown, Jacobs has proven to be just as successful in other businesses, too, with a net worth of $3.2 billion.
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13. The Dolan Family – $3.9 billion (New York Knicks/New York Rangers)
His New York Knicks mi3ht be stuck in obscurity right now and fans are often criticizing his every move, yet James Dolan and his family continue to do things their way in operating the team. While the team has struggled in the past few years and have yet to win a title in over 40 years, Dolan has negotiated and overseen plenty of big business deals and renovations to both Madison Square Garden, making him worth $3.9 billion.
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12. Robert Kraft – $4 billion (New England Patriots)
Fresh off his fourth Super Bowl title since overtaking the reins to the New England Patriots, owner Robert Kraft’s value has probably increased even more than the listed $4 billion he’s noted for. And with a head coach-quarterback duo of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady showing they’re as consistent as they come, don’t be surprised to continue to see the Pats have success.
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11. Jerry Jones – $4.2 billion (Dallas Cowboys)
Brash and outspoken, there might not be a more prominent owner in sports than Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to his ownership title, Jones acts as General Manager and Vice President, making him in charge of nearly every aspect of the team. With America’s Team his full focus and being an easy choice for advertisers, it’s no surprise Jones is worth $4.2 billion.
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10. Dan Gilbert – $4.2 billion (Cleveland Cavaliers)
More shocking than seeing Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert worth $4.2 billion is that his net worth is equal to the aforementioned Jerry Jones. Other than that surprise, Gilbert has proven to be a savvy businessman and owner, capable of convincing superstar LeBron James to return to his hometown Cavs this past offseason after patching up differences and spending like crazy to make sure he gets Cleveland their first title in 50 years.
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9. Ted Lerner – $4.5 billion (Washington Nationals)
As a partner in Monumental Sports and Entertainment, Ted Lerner and his family have a hand in each D.C. pro sports franchise not called the Washington Redskins. Redskins aside, Lerner has done pretty well for himself, moving the Washington Nationals to the city from Montreal back in 2002 and turning them into one of the more exciting teams in major league baseball since. He’s still thirsting for a championship, but he has a nice $4.5 billion net worth that helps comfort him.
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8. Terry Pegula – $4.6 billion (Buffalo Sabres/Buffalo Bills)
Calling Buffalo home to some may not be the most popular admission, but for Terry Pegula and his family, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Recently purchasing the Buffalo Bills, the NHL’s Sabres owner and his family have fully bought into the city, trying to rejuvenate the downtown area and increase the popularity of hockey. With a net worth of $4.6 billion, he certainly has the money to do what he can to build as much as he wants to.
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7. Stan Kroenke – $5.7 billion (St. Louis Rams/Denver Nuggets/Aresenal FC/Colorado Rapids)
He might not have a championship ring in his years of owning multiple sports properties, but Stan Kroenke isn’t short on trying to get one. As owner of the St. Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets and soccer’s Aresnal FC and Colorado Rapids, Kroenke might be the biggest sports fan on the planet—and just so happens to have a lot of money, too. With a net worth of $5.7 billion, he may see his empire grow even more should he ever win that coveted championship.
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6. Stephen Ross – $6 billion (Miami Dolphins)
Acquiring the Miami Dolphins from former owner Wayne Huizenga in 2009, Stephen Ross now owns 95 percent of the team, making it, almost, all his own. Making his money from a number of different businesses, Ross will do what he can to bring better times to the Dolphins franchise. With a net worth of $6 billion, he surely has the bank account to spend to do so.
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5. Rich DeVos – $6 billion (Orlando Magic)
Rich DeVos has been the owner of the Orlando Magic since 1991, serving as such in all but two years of the team’s existence. Having been through the Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard years, DeVos has seen plenty of success, yet still hasn’t won a championship. After building a new arena that opened in 2010, DeVos and his $6 billion bank account will continue to do what he can to bring a championship to Orlando.
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4. Micky Arison – $6.4 billion (Miami Heat)
One of the more successful owners on this list, Micky Arison has seen plenty of good times since owning the Miami Heat. With four-straight NBA Finals trips in the past four seasons, including two titles, Arison has, seemingly, made all the right moves. Even after losing superstar LeBron James this past offseason, Arison has spent a lot of money to remain competitive, and built the Heat brand into one of the most recognized in the world.
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3. Phil Anschutz – $11.1 billion (Los Angeles Kings/Staples Center)
The founder of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Phil Anschutz has built himself into one of the premier sports and music entertainment powers in the world. And thanks to his ownership of both the L.A. Kings and the Staples Center—which is leased by both the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers of the NBA—it’s only natural to see Anschutz’s net worth be worth $11.1 billion. With two Stanley Cup titles in the past three years, the Kings have rewarded him nicely, too.
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2. Paul Allen – $17 billion (Seattle Seahawks/Portland Trail Blazers)
For anyone who might be wondering what those nerdy computer kids from the ’80s are doing now, you might want to look at Paul Allen’s life. After founding Microsoft with Bill Gates, Allen has grown his bank account to $17 billion thanks to various business deals with the company. Rather than sit around and do nothing, though, he has built two of the best franchises in sports, running both the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, with the Hawks playing in two-straight Super Bowls, winning one.
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1. Steve Ballmer – $22.5 billion (Los Angeles Clippers)
Well, the new guy on the block has certainly made his mark, hasn’t he? After finalizing a deal to acquire the L.A. Clippers last summer, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has jumped to the top of the charts on the list of America’s richest sports owners. Worth an astounding $22.5 billion, he has all the excitement of a little kid, with the bank account of a world leader. Based off his reactions at some Clips games this season, it’s clear Ballmer enjoys running his own team.
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