Ultra Wealthy Celebrities That Own Sports Teams

Published on November 12, 2020
While professional athletes are known for making insane amounts of money, we often forget that sports teams owners are also raking it in. Many of these owners are actually billionaires. Check out some of the wealthiest sports teams owners out there, many of which you’ll know from their own successful careers.

Drew Carey – Seattle Sounders

Comedian and TV show host Drew Carey is best known for his roles in Who’s Line Is It Anyway? and The Price Is Right, but he also owns the Seattle Sounders soccer team. A Cleveland native, his net worth comes out to about $165 million.

Drew Carey

Drew Carey

Bill Murray – St. Paul Saints

Bill Murray has been in countless films and is also known for his time as a Saturday Night Live cast member. The Illinois native is part owner of the St. Paul Saints baseball team. The comedian and actor has an estimated net worth of $140 million.

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Bill Murray

Bill Murray

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David Letterman – Rahal Letterman Lanigan IndyCar Racing Team

David Letterman is known by many as the king of late-night who was the host of Late Night with David Letterman. He now hosts Netflix show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. He owns car racing team Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, which is based in Ohio. His net worth is about $400 million.

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David Letterman

David Letterman

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Stan Kroenke – Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Arsenal F.C. (Premier League)

Stan Kroenke is a successful real estate mogul who also owns three very successful sports teams: the LA Rams, Colorado Rapids, and Arsenal F.C. He is also married to Ann Walton, who is one of the Walmart fortune heirs. Kroenke’s net worth is about $8.8 billion. Talk about power couple!

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Stan Kroenke

Stan Kroenke

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Jeanie Marie Buss – Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Jeanie Maris Buss is the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. She made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to be a controlling owner to guide her team to an NBA championship. Her net worth is about $500 million.

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Jeanie Marie Buss

Jeanie Marie Buss

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Harold Steinbrenner – New York Yankees

Harold Steinbrenner has been co-chairman and general partner of the New York Yankees since 2008. In 2010, he and his brother Hank inherited the team from their father George. In addition, Harold is also the Chairman and CEO of the Steinbrenner Hotel Properties. His net worth is about $3.2 billion.

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Harold Steinbrenner

Harold Steinbrenner

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Tim McGraw – Nashville Kats

Tim McGraw is one of the most successful country stars who has released 15 albums and won three Grammy awards. He is also a stake holder in the Nashville Kats Arena football team. He is also friends with former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. McGraw’s net worth is about $85 million.

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Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

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Jeffrey Lurie – Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)

Media Mogul Jeffrey Lurie owns the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team after purchasing the team for $195 million. Lurie is a film producer and has produced films like The Blind Side, Sweet Hearts Dance, Inside Job, and Malibu Shoes. His net worth it about $2.1 billion.

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Jeffrey Lurie

Jeffrey Lurie

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Gene Simmons – LA KISS

Gene Simmons is best known to most people as the lead singer of rock band KISS. He has also participated in his own reality show and even had a cameo on CSI. He is the owner of Florida Arena Football team LA Kiss. Simmons’ net worth is about $350 million.

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Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons

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Shaquille O’Neal – Sacramento Kings

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal had one of the most impressive careers in the NBA. After he retired, he became a host on Inside the NBA. He is a partial owner of the Sacramento Kings. O’Neal’s net worth is about $400 million.

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Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal

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Arthur Blank – Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United

Arthur Blank made a fortune after founding The Home Depot, which is one of the most successful franchises in the United States. After retiring as president of the company, he became a co-chair. He then purchase NFL team the Atlanta Falcons, as well as the Atlanta United soccer team. His net worth is about $5.3 billion.

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Arthur Blank

Arthur Blank

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Jimmy Buffett – Miami Dolphins

Jimmy Buffet is a successful singer who has been in the music industry since 1969. He owns the successful restaurant chain Margaritaville, which is named after his famous song. He is also a partial owner of the Miami Dolphins NFL team. His net worth is about $600 million.

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Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett

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Paul Allen – Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

Paul Allen was one of the founders of Microsoft, alongside his childhood friend Bill Gates. Sadly, he passed away in 2018, and he was the 44th richest person in the world at the time. His net worth was about $20.3 billion at the time. He also owned NFL team Seattle Seahawks who went on to win three Super Bowls under his ownership.

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Paul Allen

Paul Allen

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Will Ferrell – Los Angeles F.C.

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell made his mark on the entertainment industry as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and appearing in some of the most beloved comedies of all time. He is also is a part owner of the Los Angeles FC. His net worth is about $100 million.

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Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell

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Michael Jordan – Charlotte Hornets (NBA)

You can’t think about basketball without mentioning Michael Jordan, who is often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2010, he purchased the majority share in Charlotte Hornets NBA team for $175 million. His net worth is about $1.9 billion.

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Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

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James Dolan – New York Knicks (NBA)

James Dolan is the CEO and executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Company, so it’s pretty fitting that he is also the owner of the New York Knicks, who play there. He also oversees operations for the New York Rangers and the New York Liberty. His net worth about $1.5 billion.

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James Dolan

James Dolan

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Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys (NFL)

Jerry Jones had several unsuccessful business ventures early on before starting gas and oil exploration company Jones Oil and Land Lease, which helped him earn a fortune. In 1989, he purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million (2020 equivalent of $292.5 million). Under his ownership, the Cowboys became one of the best NFL teams of the 1990’s. His net worth is about $6.7 billion.

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Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones

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Steve Ballmer – L.A. Clippers (NBA)

Steve Ballmer was the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 until 2014. He is one of the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth of about $71.4 billion. When Donald Sterling was forced to sell the L.A. Clippers, Steve Ballmer purchased the team for $2 billion.

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Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer

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Mark Cuban – Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

Mark Cuban is an entrepreneur, investor, as well as TV host of show Shark Tank. He made a fortune through starting his own company MicroSolutions. He sold it to H&R Block for $6 million. In January 2000, he purchased the Dallas Mavericks from H. Ross Perot, Jr. for $285 million. His net worth is about $4.1 billion.

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Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban

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Bill Maher – New York Mets

Bill Maher has made quite a career in directions of the entertainment industry by being a comedian, author, and commentator. He’s best known for his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher and Comedy Central show Politically Incorrect. In 2012, he purchased a minority ownership interest in the New York Mets. His net worth is about $100 million.

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Bill Maher

Bill Maher

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Jay-Z – Brooklyn Nets

Entertainment giant Jay-Z is known for his hugely successful hip-hop career. He is now a successful businessman as well. In 2003, he became a part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets, for which he paid $1 million. In 2013, he relinquished his share of ownership of the team, who he sold to singer Will Pan. Jay-Z’s net worth is about $1 billion.

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Jay-Z

Jay-Z

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Robert McNair – Houston Texans (NFL)

Robert McNair made his fortune when he founded cogeneration company Cogen Technologies, which he ended up selling to Enron in 1999. He also owned power plants in New York and West Virginia. He helped found the Houston Texans in 2002. He helped guide the team to two Super Bowl wins. His net worth was about $3.8 billion when he passed away in 2018.

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Robert McNair

Robert McNair

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Gayle Benson – New Orleans Saints (NFL), New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)

Gayle Benson was an interior designer when she married Tom Benson, who owned the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. When he passed away in 2018, she inherited ownership of the teams and became the first woman to be the majority shareholder in both an NFL and NBA team. Her net worth is about $3.3 billion.

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Gayle Benson

Gayle Benson

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Henry Samueli – Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

Henry Samueli is an engineer, businessman, and philanthropist. He co-founded the Broadcom Corporation and is a professor (on leave of absence) in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UCLA. He also has 75 patents in the U.S. He is the owner of the Anaheim Ducks NHL team. Samueli’s net worth is about $3.8 billion.

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Henry Samueli

Henry Samueli

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Joshua Harris – Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)

Joshua Harris is a private equity investor who co-founded the Apollo Global Management investment firm. He is the principal owner of the Philadelphia 76ers as well as the New Jersey Devils NHL team. He’s also a general partner of the Crystal Palace soccer team in the English Premier League. His net worth is about $4.9 billion.

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Joshua Harris

Joshua Harris

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Ted Lerner – Washington Nationals (MLB)

Ted Lerner is a real estate developer who started Lerner Enterprises, which is the largest private company in the Washington metropolitan area, consisting of retail, hotel, residential, and commercial properties. He owns the Washington Nationals baseball team. He is the wealthiest person in the State of Maryland, with a net worth of $5.2 billion.

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Ted Lerner

Ted Lerner

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Charles Johnson – San Francisco Giants

Charles Johnson is a billionaire businessman whose net worth is about $4.8 billion. The Yale alum is the principal owner of the San Francisco Giants MLB team, though the team control duties are handled by Larry Baer as he spends his time at his Palm Beach, Florida home.

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Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson

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Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha – Leicester City F.C.

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is a Bangkok native who is the CEO of King Power Company, a Thai retail company which was founded by his father. He also inherited ownership of the Leicester City Football Club and Belgian team OH Leuven. He has been named one of the youngest billionaires in Asia, with a net worth of about $4.9 billion.

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Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha

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Robert Pera – Memphis Grizzlies

Robert Pera is one of the youngest billionaires in the world, with a net worth of about $14.7 billion. After working at Apple, he founded Ubiquiti Netowrks, a global communications tech company. In June 2012, he purchased the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team.

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Robert Pera

Robert Pera

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Robert Kraft – New England Patriots

Robert Kraft is a billionaire businessman who is the chairmen and CEO of the Kraft Group, which is a diversified holding company. He owns the New England Patriots, the New England Revolution soccer team, as well as Gillette Stadium, where both teams play. He also owns the Boston Uprising, the first esports team in New England. His net worth is about $6.9 billion.

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Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft

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Jim Irsay – Indianapolis Colts (NFL)

Jim Irsay’s father Robert Irsay amassed a fortune from successful heating and air-conditioning companies. He then purchased the Indianapolis Colts. At age 37, Jim Irsay inherited the fortune and team when Robert passed away, making Jim the youngest NFL owner at the time. His net worth is $2.7 billion.

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Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay

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 – Brooklyn Nets

Mikhail Prokhorov is a Russian billionaire and politician. In 2009, he made an offer to buy a controlling interest in the then-named New Jersey Nets. He became the majority owner in 2010, becoming the first non-American owner of an NBA team. In October 2019, Prokhorov sold the team to Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Alibaba.

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Mikhail Prokhorov

Mikhail Prokhorov

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Philip Anschutz – LA Lakers, LA Kings

Philip Anschutz is a billionaire businessman who amassed his fortune through several different companies that involve energy, railroads, real estate, sports, newspapers, movies, theaters, music, and arenas. He is the principal owner of the LA Kings and a minor owner of the LA Lakers. His net worth is $10.1 billion.

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Philip Anschutz

Philip Anschutz

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Hasso Plattner – San Jose Sharks

German businessman Hasso Plattner co-founded SAP SE software company. He is a majority owner of NHL team the San Jose Sharks. Thanks to his successful business ventures, Plattner has a staggering net worth of $17.9 billion.

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Hasso Plattner

Hasso Plattner

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Dietrich Mateschitz – Red Bull Racing, New York Red Bulls

Austrian billionare Dietrich Mateschitz made his massive fortune by being a co-founder of the Red Bull energy drink company. He has a net worth of $26.9 billion, making him the 40th wealthiest person on earth. He owns racing team Red Bull Racing and the New York Red Bulls soccer team.

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Dietrich Mateschitz

Dietrich Mateschitz

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Mukesh Ambani – Mumbai Indians

Indian billionaire business magnate Mukesh Ambani is the chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd, a Fortune 500 company that is India’s most valuable company. He is the richest person in Asia with a mind-boggling net worth of $81.1 billion, making him the 6th richest person in the world. He owns the Mumbai Indians cricket team that is a part of the Indian Premier League.

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Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani

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Richard Devos – Orlando Magic

Richard Devos was a billionaire who was the co-founder of Amway multi-level marketing company. He was the 60th wealthiest person in the United States and 205th richest person in the world, his net worth being $5.4 billion when he passed away. He was also the owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team.

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Richard Devos

Richard Devos

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Sheikh Mansour – Manchester City F.C.

Sheikh Mansour is an Emirati politician and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. He has a net worth of $22 billion and has stakes in many business ventures including Virgin Galatctic and Sky New Arabia. He own the Manchester City Football Club after purchasing it from former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

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Sheikh Mansour

Sheikh Mansour

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Micky Arison – Miami Heat

Micky Arison is the chairman of Carnival Corporation, which is the largest cruise ship operator in the world and was founded by his father. He has been the owner of the Miami Heat basketball team since 1995. He hired Pat Riley as the team’s head coach. Arison’s net worth is $7.9 billion.

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Micky Arison

Micky Arison

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Bill Bidwill – Arizona Cardinals

Bill Bidwill was a businessman and the owner of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team. He was co-owner from 1962 and became sole owner from 1972 and remained so until he passed away in 2019. His net worth was $1.4 billion when he passed away.

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Bill Bidwill

Bill Bidwill

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