The NBA has the most representation on this year’s list, with the top spot held by Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. These are the 10 richest sports team owners in the world in 2024.
Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, always has enough money available. In 2014, the former Microsoft CEO bought the NBA team for $2 billion at the time, well above its estimated value. This year he extended All-Star Kawhi Leonard’s contract for over $152 million. Ballmer is planning similar things for other stars like Paul George and James Harden. Next year, the Clippers will move to the new $2 billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.Despite his high expenses, Ballmer’s net worth is almost untouched. Forbes estimates it at $121 billion in 2024, an increase of 50% compared to last year. This makes him once again the richest sports team owner in the world.Previously, Mumbai Indians owner Mukesh Ambani was the frontrunner. However, Forbes excluded teams from public companies, which excludes Ambani and others.New to the list is Miriam Adelson, who bought the Dallas Mavericks with her family for $3.5 billion in 2023. Her husband, Sheldon Adelson, former chairman of Las Vegas Sands, died in 2021. Her stake in the team is 68%, with Mark Cuban remaining in control of basketball operations for the time being.The world’s top 20 sports owners have combined assets of $481 billion, a slight decline from last year. The NBA is the most represented, followed by the NFL, NHL, MLS and European soccer. Steve Cohen is the only MLB owner while Joe Tsai is the only WNBA owner.
10. HENRY SAMUELITeam: Anaheim Duck
Source of Income: Semiconductor
Citizenship: USA
Net Worth: $14.1 billion
As one of the worst teams in the NHL this season, Samueli’s Anaheim Ducks will likely have to put their Stanley Cup dreams on hold for now. In the meantime, however, the 69-year-old tech billionaire has plenty to celebrate with the explosive growth of Broadcom, the publicly traded semiconductor company he co-founded in 1991.
9. PHILIP ANSCHUTZTeam: Los Angeles Kings, LA Galaxy
Source of Income: Energy, Sports, Entertainment
Citizenship: USA
Net Worth: $15.3 billion
The 84-year-old energy and entertainment mogul is no stranger to the American soccer market. More recently, his LA Galaxy have expanded their revenue streams by hosting a dozen MLS clubs in the annual Coachella Valley Invitational.
8. STANLEY KROENKE
Team: Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Arsenal FC, Arsenal Women’s FC
Source of Income: Real Estate
Citizenship: USA
Net Worth: $16.2 billion
Kroenke’s Denver Nuggets won their first NBA title in 2023, adding to a trophy cabinet that already includes championships from the Los Angeles Rams and Colorado Avalanche. It could be even more crowded in 2024 — both the Nuggets and Avalanche are expected to make deep playoff runs.
7. STEVE COHEN
Team: New York Mets
Source of Income: Hedge Fund
Citizenship: USA
Assets: $19.8 billion
Four years after buying the Mets for $2.4 billion, Cohen is still fighting for support to build a casino next to Citi Field, the team’s home stadium in Flushing, Queens. To make the offer more attractive, the 67-year-old billionaire in February proposed an $8 billion investment in the area’s community.
6. DAVID TEPPER
Team: Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC
Source of Income: Hedge Fund
Citizenship: USA
Assets: $20.6 billion
In 2023, Tepper had his worst season as owner of the NFL team Carolina Panthers, losing 15 games after surrendering the eventual first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. (He was also fined $300,000 for throwing a drink in the face of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan during a 26-0 loss.) The team cleaned up in the offseason and hired the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator , Dave Canales, hired as head coach.
5. DANIEL GILBERT
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Source of Income: Quicken Loans
Citizenship: USA
Net worth: $26.2 billion
As the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to navigate the post-Lebron James era, Gilbert has expressed interest in owning another sports team. In October, he joined an effort to bring a new National Women’s Soccer League franchise to Cleveland.
4. FRANÇOIS PINAULT & FAMILY
Team: Stade Rennais FC
Source of income: Luxury goods
Citizenship: France
Net worth: US$31.6 billion
As Stade Rennais continues to descend into mediocrity, the 87-year-old Pinault, founder of luxury goods giant Kering, and his family have expanded their sporting interests through another vehicle. In September, French billionaire François-Henri bought CAA, ranked the world’s most valuable sports agency in 2022, in a US$7 billion deal.
3. MIRIAM ADELSON & FAMILY
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Source of Income: Casinos
Citizenship: USA
Net worth: $32 billion
Although gambling is not yet legal in the Lone Star State, the arrival of the Adelson family, which owns Las Vegas Sands and has plans to build a casino in downtown Dallas, could add to years of pressure for legalization in Texas .
2. ROB WALTON & FAMILY
Team: Denver Broncos
Source of Income: Walmart
Citizenship: USA
Net worth: $77 billion
Walton has had no success so far in his short tenure as owner of the Broncos. But he made a fresh start for 2024 by spending $85 million to cut quarterback Russell Wilson from the roster.
1. STEVE BALLMER
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Source of Income: Microsoft
Citizenship: USA
Net worth: $121 billion
When the Intuit Dome opens during the 2024-25 NBA season, Ballmer won’t have long to wait to show off his state-of-the-art arena to the world. The venue was selected to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
