15 Professional Sports Owners Who Have a Private Jet

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While owning a mansion or driving a fast car is a certain sign of wealth, the ultimate indicator is when someone can ask the question, “So, do you want to take a ride on my private jet?” Sure, there aren’t too many of us who will either hear or say that question, but you know who does? Sports owners. Worth billions of dollars, there are a variety of them who enjoy the skies without having to stand in a long security line or paying money for a ticket. And because we all love expensive stuff, here are a few of the sports owners who get to do whatever they want aboard their private planes.

Photo via Flickr/sabian404

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15. Bob McNair (Houston Texans)

As the owner of the Houston Texans, Bob McNair has proven that he knows how to build a franchise that can compete—well, other than in 2013 when they finished 2-14—and has done so in the shadow of the state of Texas’ most beloved team, the Dallas Cowboys. Worth billions, it’s no wonder that McNair has his own private jet, which has been rumored to be used for flying in free agents and, potential, coaches to help lure them to Houston.

Photo via Flickr/crazyyyh

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14. Shad Khan (Jacksonville Jaguars, Fulham FC)

Running two, professional sports franchises must be a tough job, but Shad Khan seems to enjoy the hard work it takes. That’s because the billionaire gets to split time between sunny Jacksonville and groggy London, as he’s the decision maker for both Fulham FC of the English Premier League and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. Rather than rack up frequent flier miles, though, Khan just takes his own jet to and from each city as he pleases.

Photo via Flickr/Two Circles

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13. Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys)

Arguably the most famous owner in all of sports, the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones knows just one way to do things—big! Whether it’s marketing his team like crazy to continue to perceived notion of being “America’s Team,” or building a giant, billion-dollar stadium, Jones spares nothing to make sure he represents himself in a flashy manner. And, as you would imagine, the private jet he has does the exact same thing.

Photo via Flickr/dbcnwa

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12. Jeremy Jacobs (Boston Bruins)

The guy is, supposedly, worth $3 billion, so of course Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs has a personal air taxi that he can use at his own expense. While owning a sports franchise for 40 years might be the top achievement of any owner—especially when that team happens to be one of the league’s flagship organizations—Jacobs’ airplane might be one worth taking notice of, too, as he, allegedly, housed several of the players following their Stanley Cup title to end the 2010-11 season.

Photo via YouTube

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11. Steve Ballmer (Los Angles Clippers)

The former CEO of Microsoft tried hard to get an NBA team to relocate to his roots in Seattle, but when those hopes were squashed, he found a new way to run a team—buy one for $2 billion. That’s the route Ballmer took in 2014, when he acquired the L.A. Clippers from ousted owner Donald Sterling. With that kind of money, Ballmer must have lots of dough, so it’s easy to understand why he has a private jet that is worth millions to fly him anywhere he wants to.

Photo via Flickr/dekuwa

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10. Woody Johnson (New York Jets)

Like a few other owners on this list, Woody Johnson of the New York Jets has the privilege of not only owning a pro sports team, but also doing so in one of the biggest cities on the planet, New York City. That has to be pretty cool. You know what else is cool? No, not the announcement of the Jets hiring a new coach, but that Johnson was able to fly the guy on his private jet for interviews.

Photo via Flickr/quintanomedia

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9. Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavs)

So what’s it like to own the team that the most popular athlete on the planet plays for? Well, in the case of Dan Gilbert, mayhem. That’s because, during the recruitment of LeBron James last summer, the Internet was blowing up with rumors about where Gilbert’s plane was going to and coming from, as fans tweeted about its whereabouts and tried to read into its flight path. It’s safe to say the Cleveland Cavs owner has the most popular private plane of any sports team owner.

Photo via YouTube

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8. Robert Kraft (New England Patriots)

Seeing how successful his New England Patriots have been in the past 15 years—six Super Bowl trips since 2001—owner Robert Kraft did the smart thing and decided a private plane would be the way to travel. Rather than worry about any delays or even snugging up next to someone he knows on a charter flight, Kraft is able to go to any of his team’s games whenever he wants to, all thanks to the wings he purchased.

Photo via YouTube

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7. Mikhail Prokhorov (Brooklyn Nets)

Although Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov claims to not use a computer and other technological devices that we all do every single day, he does happen to own a very luxurious jet. As a billionaire who came into the league with a reputation as a partier, it’s understandable as to why the Russian would own such a luxurious toy, which cost him nearly $45 million.

Photo via Flickr/aleshru

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6. Michael Jordan (Charlotte Hornets)

Not only the greatest basketball player to ever live, Michael Jordan added to his legacy when he became the owner of the Charlotte Hornets a few years ago. While MJ is still looking for the same success he had as a player, there’s one thing that has continued to happen—he’s making a lot of money. Believed to be the first billionaire athlete, Jordan owns a private jet like many of his peers do, proving that he’s more than just another, former hoops player.

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5. Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports)

Owner of Hendrick Motorsports of NASCAR, Rick Hendrick came dangerously close to actually losing it all in the summer of 2014, when his private plane crashed to the ground. Sustaining just a few minor injuries, Hendrick will, no doubt, be a bit more cautious with things each time he’s up in the air from here on out.

Photo via YouTube

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4. Paul Allen (Seattle Seahawks and Sounders, Portland Trail Blazers)

One of the co-founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen appears to have plenty of money to burn through thanks to his fortunes from business that have led him to owning three, pro sports teams. So, seeing how he has so much cash, it’s unsurprising to hear that Allen has $100 million Boeing-757 that hauls him around. Seeing how the trip from Seattle to Portland is about an hour or so, I would say that Allen is happy to hop on his plane and split duty in each city.

Photo via YouTube

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3. Wayne Huizenga (Miami Dolphins)

While he isn’t the majority owner of any, one sports team, Wayne Huizenga is credited with bringing pro sports to South Beach thanks to being the original owner of the Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers, as well as his time at the helm of the Miami Dolphins. With all that business in Miami, it may seem like Huizenga would have no need for a private aircraft—yet, he owns a $2 million private plane, which seems like chump change to him.

Photo via Flickr/gregbooher

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2. Roman Abramovich (Chelsea FC)

While many Americans might not be familiar with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, if there’s one thing he hates, it’s being second to anybody. That’s why, whether it’s spending money on lavish players to upgrade his soccer team’s roster or buying a yacht or airplane, the Russian oil magnate goes all-out. That’s why he owns a Boeing-767 that is known as “The Bandit,” which is believed to be one of the safest aircrafts in the world.

Photo via YouTube

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1. Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks)

Arguably the most recognizable sports owner on the planet, the Dallas Mavericks’ Mark Cuban is seen investing his own money on hopeful entrepreneurs on the show Sharktank each week—proving that he has lots of money. But, really, all one needs to do is look at the Boeing-767 that Cuban owns to understand his disposable income. Costing an absurd $144.1 million, the interior is believed to rival five-star hotels. It’s luxury at its finest.

Photo via Flickr/Chasen Richardson

Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.