Top 12 richest MLB team owners and their their impact since acquisition [2025]
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One of the most powerful sports leagues worldwide, Major League Baseball (MLB) greatly pitches the performance, market value, and infrastructure of its franchises on the wealth and management practices of their owners. The richest MLB team owners will be explored in this paper together with their net worth, sources of revenue, acquisition expenses, and impact on the teams.
This article will show how these owners employ their financial resources to mould the future of the teams by contrasting their financial situation, market worth, and competitive performance between teams before and after the acquisition.
1. Steve Cohen
With a net worth of $21.3 billion, Steve Cohen is the richest team owner in Major League Baseball, having founded the massive American hedge fund company Point72 Asset Management. At $2.4 billion, Cohen paid one of the biggest franchise purchase prices in North American sports history for the New York Mets in 2020.
Cohen's fortune mostly stems from his success in the financial industry—especially in relation to his investing activities with SAC Capital Advisors (later called Point72). Cohen bought the Mets due to his love for baseball as well as a desire to grow his company empire by investing in the sports sector.
The Mets' financial situation was rather tight before the purchase, and their limited free agent market investment reduced their competitiveness, however, Cohen's presence totally transformed the circumstances.
In 2022, he not only generously raised the team's wage budget but also signed numerous top free agents, including Max Scherzer and Francisco Lindor, thus increasing the team's overall pay to around $300 million at one point, positioning the Mets among the best-paying teams and franchises in Major League Baseball.
The infrastructure of the squad has also been greatly influenced by Cohen's financial means. He intends to spend $8 billion modernising Citi Field, the Mets' home field, and enhancing the nearby business buildings. These projects are primed to improve the team's competitive surroundings as well as its market value.
The Mets' value has increased from almost $2.5 billion to almost $3 billion in 2023 since Cohen's acquisition, and his financial assistance has surely set a strong basis for the Mets' future, despite their goals not yet completely achieved.
2. Edward Rogers III and family
With a family net worth of around $11.5 billion, Edward Rogers III is the vice chairman of Rogers Communications, a massive Canadian telecom company. After its acquisition for $112 million in 2000, the Toronto Blue Jays became part of Rogers Communications' sports holdings.
The riches of the Rogers family mostly originate from varied assets in the media, sports, and telecommunications sectors. Following the acquisition of the Blue Jays, the Rogers family greatly improved the team's financial status by managing Rogers Centre (the home field) and generating media broadcasting rights income.
The Blue Jays have a major advantage in media income since Rogers Communications, their parent company, exclusively owns the broadcast rights. Though they are buoyant financially, the Blue Jays had a protracted underperformance in terms of competitiveness, just making it into the playoffs in 2015 and 2016.
The Rogers family has been more involved in the team recently, particularly in relation to young player development and free agent acquisition. Top athletes like George Springer were signed in 2021, showing Roger's will to explore the Blue Jays' full potential.
From $112 million at the time of acquisition, the team's valuation has climbed to around $2 billion as of 2023. Although the financial means of the Rogers family have given the Blue Jays consistent support, its managerial approach is still yet to show more innovations in competitive performance.
3. John Malone
Holding a net worth of $10.8 billion, John Malone is chairman of Liberty Media and the third-richest MLB team owners. Under its portfolio of sports and entertainment businesses, Liberty Media purchased the Atlanta Braves for $450 million in 2007.
Mostly from his media and telecom assets, including interests in Discovery Communications and Liberty Global, Malone's riches through Liberty Media greatly improved the Braves' competitiveness with modern management techniques and financial backing upon acquisition of the organisation.
Opening in 2017, Truist Park (previously SunTrust Park) is now among the most modern stadiums in Major League Baseball. Further augmenting the team's income sources, Liberty Media also made investments in the construction of The Battery Atlanta, a complex combining business, entertainment, and residential areas.
Regarding competitive performance, the Braves won the World Series Championship in 2021 and the National League East Division Championship for a number of years starting in 2018.
From $450 million during the acquisition's time to about $2.5 billion in 2023, the team's valuation has markedly changed. The Warriors are among the most competitive clubs in Major League Baseball, thanks in great part to Malone's management techniques and financial resources.
4. Mark Walter
Mark Walter serves as CEO of Guggenheim Partners and has a net worth of $6.1 billion. The investment group Guggenheim Partners, headed by Walter, paid $2.1 billion for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, setting a record for the biggest acquisition price of a North American sports franchise at the time.
Walter's success in the business and investment fields mostly determines his riches, so he immediately raised the Dodgers' competitiveness by amply expanding the wage budget and fixing infrastructure after acquiring the club.
Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers' home stadium, saw multiple contemporary upgrades, while the franchise also made investments in new training facilities.
Regarding competitive success, the Dodgers won the World Series championship in 2020 and made the playoffs for many years starting in 2013.
The Dodgers are among the largest purchasers in the free agency market, thanks in great part to Walter's financial means.
Top players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman signed for the team, further underlining its competitiveness. One of the most valuable clubs in MLB, the Dodgers' valuation from $2.1 billion at the time of acquisition has risen to around $5 billion as of 2023.
5. John Henry
Boasting a net worth of $6 billion, John Henry is the founder of Fenway Sports Group and the fifth-richest MLB team owner. Henry started the Boston Red Sox's modernising effort in 2002 when he expended $700 million in purchases for the club. His riches mostly result from his sports and financial sector activities.
Henry substantially raised the Red Sox's competitiveness by strengthening its infrastructure and administration following the acquisition of the team. The Red Sox's home, Fenway Park, saw multiple modernising projects, and the team also made investments in new training facilities.
The Red Sox have become one of the most successful MLB teams of the twenty-first century, having won the World Series four times since 2004.
Henry's means have also made the Red Sox active free agency market purchasers. Top players like David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez signed for the team, further underlining its competitiveness.
From $700 million at acquisition, the Red Sox's valuation has increased to about $4 billion as of 2023.
6. Larry Dolan
The Cleveland Guardians are owned by Larry Dolan, whose family net worth amounts to $5.5 billion, positioning him as one of the richest owners in MLB. The Dolan family spent $323 million to acquire the team—then known as the Cleveland Indians—in 2000.
The fortune of the Dolan family mostly stems from their media and law industry investments. Following club acquisition, the family upgraded infrastructure and management, hence increasing their competitiveness.
However, the Guardians, mostly depending on the growth of young players, have spent little in the free agent market due to somewhat limited financial resources. Still, the squad showed promise by making it to the World Series in 2016.
From $323 million at acquisition, the Guardians' valuation has increased to around $1.2 billion in 2023, indicating that the Dolan family's modest financial means have maintained the team’s competitiveness despite their management approach.
7. The Ricketts family
Tom Ricketts and his family, with a worth of $5.3 billion, are the owners of the Chicago Cubs and bought the team in 2009 for $845 million. The wealth of the Ricketts family mostly stems from their real estate and finance sector investments.
By bettering its infrastructure and management, the Ricketts family considerably raised the Cubs' competitiveness after acquisition. Wrigley Field, the Cubs' home field, saw multiple contemporary improvements, and the franchise also made investments in new training facilities.
The Cubs broke a 108-year championship drought by winning the World Series championship in 2016, therefore demonstrating competitive performance.
From $845 million at acquisition, the Cubs' valuation has climbed to about $4 billion as of 2023. The Ricketts family's financial means and managerial style have placed the Cubs among the most valuable teams in Major League Baseball.
8. Arte Moreno
Arte Moreno, who owns the Los Angeles Angels and boasts a net worth of $5.1 billion, purchased the franchise for $183 million in 2003 to become the first Latino owner in Major League Baseball history.
Moreno's riches mostly stem from his media and advertising business ventures. Once he acquired the Angels, Moreno raised the team's wage budget and upgraded infrastructure, thereby boosting its competitiveness.
Top players like Albert Pujols and Mike Trout were signed by the Angels, but management problems prevented the team from making major competitive performance advances.
From $183 million at the time of acquisition to about $2.5 billion in 2023, the value of the Angels has skyrocketed by over 1000%. Though Moreno has plenty of financial means, his managerial approach still needs more improvement.
9. Charles B. Johnson
Having a net worth of $4.8 billion, Charles B. Johnson is the majority stakeholder in the San Francisco Giants, deriving his fortune primarily from his Franklin Resources stake.
The Giants' constant cash inflow from Johnson's financial resources has helped them to remain competitive in the free agent market.
Oracle Park, the Giants' home stadium, has seen multiple contemporary modifications, and the franchise has also made investments in creating new training facilities.
With regard to competitive performance, the Giants, on three occasions, won the World Series championship in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
From roughly $300 million upon Johnson's investment, the Giants' valuation has risen to roughly $3.5 billion as of 2023, ranking among the most valued clubs in Major League Baseball, thanks in great part to Charles's financial resources and managerial approach.
10. John Middleton
Wielding a net worth of $4.1 billion, John Middleton is the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies and the tenth-richest owner in MLB. Middleton's riches mostly stem from his real estate and tobacco industry assets.
Middleton raised the team's pay budget and upgraded infrastructure to boost their competitiveness once he acquired the Phillies.
The Phillies signed top players like Bryce Harper, but management strategy problems have prevented the franchise from making notable performance improvements.
From almost $600 million when Middleton made the purchase, the Philadelphia Phillies's valuation has climbed to almost $2 billion as of 2023. Middleton's management approach still requires improvement despite abundant financial resources.
11. David Rubenstein
Having a net worth of $4.1 billion, David Rubenstein owns the Baltimore Orioles through wealth that mostly stems from his private equity business activities.
The steady support Rubenstein's financial resources have given the Orioles enables them to be competitive in the free agent market.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Orioles' home, has seen multiple contemporary additions, and the franchise has also made investments in creating new training facilities.
Although the Orioles have not performed very competitively recently, the growth of their young players remains a beacon of hope.
From almost $400 million when Rubenstein invested, the Orioles' valuation has risen to almost $1.5 billion in 2023. Rubenstein's management approach still requires more optimisation despite abundant financial resources.
12. William DeWitt III and family
Owning the St. Louis Cardinals and with a net worth of $4 billion, William DeWitt Jr. mostly makes money via his sports and finance industry investments. DeWitt greatly raised the Cardinals' competitiveness once he acquired them by strengthening their infrastructure and administration.
The Cardinals' home, Busch Stadium, had multiple modernising projects, and the team also made investments in new training facilities.
With regard to competitive performance, the Cardinals twice won the World Series championship—in 2006 and 2011. From over $150 million when DeWitt made investments, the value of the Cardinals has increased to almost $2.5 billion in 2023.
The Cardinals are among the most valued teams in Major League Baseball, thanks in great part to DeWitt's financial resources and management techniques.