Steve Ballmer has reclaimed his spot as the world’s richest sports team owner, with an estimated net worth of $121 billion. Ballmer, who bought the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014, has seen his fortune increase due to the stellar stock performance of Microsoft. Despite spending large sums on extending player contracts and building a new $2 billion arena, Ballmer’s wealth has only grown.
Miriam Adelson, widow of former Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson, has entered the top three richest sports team owners for the first time. She purchased the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban in 2023 for a reported $3.5 billion. Adelson, who owns Las Vegas Sands, has aspirations to build a casino in downtown Dallas, potentially sparking legalization of gambling in Texas. The unique deal allows Cuban to retain control of basketball operations for now.
The 20 richest sports team owners in the world are worth a collective $481 billion, with the majority experiencing increases in their fortunes. The list is dominated by owners from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and European soccer leagues. Steve Cohen is the only MLB owner on the list, while Joe Tsai represents the WNBA. Mukesh Ambani, Masayoshi Son, and owners of large conglomerates were excluded from the ranking.
Rob Walton & family, owners of the Denver Broncos, come in at second on the list with a net worth of $77.4 billion. Miriam Adelson & family rank third with a net worth of $32 billion. Other notable owners on the list include François Pinault & family (Stade Rennais F.C.), Daniel Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers), and David Tepper (Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC).
The top 20 list also includes owners like Stanley Kroenke (Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal FC), Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys), and Robert Kraft (New England Patriots, New England Revolution). These owners have made significant investments in their teams and continue to drive success both on and off the field. The list showcases the wealth and influence of sports team owners across multiple leagues and countries.
Overall, the 2024 World’s Billionaires list highlights the immense wealth of sports team owners around the world. With the continued growth of franchise values and the expansion of sports leagues, owners like Steve Ballmer and Miriam Adelson are set to further solidify their positions as major players in the sports industry. As the business of sports continues to evolve, the impact of these wealthy owners on their teams and the leagues they participate in will only continue to grow.