National Football League (NFL) team owners' financial prowess and riches allow them a considerable degree of influence over the course of their franchises. Their choices help to define the NFL's competitive and financial landscape as well as the players' performance on the field.
This article will examine the wealthiest NFL team owners, dissect their riches by source of income, discuss how team acquisitions affect management and economics, and more.
1. Rob Walton family
Having majority ownership in Walmart, the Rob Walton family, one of the most richest MLB team owners, has accumulated a net worth of $112.1 billion, and are considered the wealthiest owners in the NFL. One of the most expensive franchise purchases in National Football League history, their $4.65 billion acquisition of the Denver Broncos represented a huge gain for the sports business as a whole.
The Denver Broncos were bought by the Rob Walton family,driven by their sporting enthusiasm and financial hope. Though it faced financial and administrative issues before the purchase, the club has been well established for a long period.
After the Waltons acquired the team, the family's top goals were enhancing the training facilities, bringing in contemporary equipment, streamlining operational procedures, increasing player compensation investments, and attracting top players. This approach greatly raised the team's market value, ticket sales, on-field performance, and commercial sponsorship deals—a thirty percent increase in each of these areas.
2. David Tepper
David Tepper's $21.3 billion net worth is mostly ascribed to the performance of his hedge fund, Appaloosa Management. 2018 saw him spend $2.2 billion to acquire the Carolina Panthers due to his passion for football and belief in its commercial value.
Before the purchase, the Panthers suffered with administrative and financial problems.
Following the takeover, he signed free agents, changed pay scales, raised financial investment, and kept top performers. He also set out to hire coaches and new management and intends to renovate and enlarge the home stadium.
These improvements helped the team to perform more consistently, therefore enhancing the value of the brand by about 20%.
3. Jody Allen
Jody Allen's $20.3 billion net worth mostly stems from her several Microsoft holdings and shares she inherited from her brother Paul Allen. She took charge of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 and is today ranked the third-richest NFL team owner.
Although the Seahawks were obviously a strong opponent before the changeover, the acquired business may have benefitted from additional infrastructural and operational support.
Through her leadership, Jody Allen brought stability back to the management and coaching team, fostered creativity, refurbished the training facilities, developed commercial linkages, and increased corporate operations' investments. The market value of the team grew by roughly 18%, and commercial income rose by 15%.
4. Stephen Ross
Founder of Related Companies, Stephen Ross mostly depends on the real estate market, which adds greatly to his net worth of $18.4 billion. The fourth-richest NFL owner, 2008 saw him spend $1.1 billion to buy the Miami Dolphins franchise. The acquisition aimed to increase the company's presence in the sports sector and therefore enhance its position.
Before the purchase, the Dolphins struggled financially and needed to address their infrastructure and market impact. Ross wasted little time in reinvesting in Hard Rock Stadium, building relationships with nearby companies, and assembling top players and coaches following franchise acquisition.
Stephen Ross is not just one of the richest NFL team owners, but with a market value rising by almost 50%, the Dolphins have been among the fastest growing in recent years.
5. Stanley Kroenke
Stanley Kroenke, one of NBA's richest club owners, has accumulated a net worth of $16.9 billion by means of his several interests in real estate, sports, and other spheres. He paid around $750 million for the Los Angeles Rams in 2010.
The acquisition was motivated by the potential to become a big franchise in the Los Angeles sports scene. The Rams had a poor financial situation, low market value, and poor performance prior to their sale.
Following the purchase, he lavished a lot of funds on the construction of SoFi Stadium, increased player investments, assembled a strong team, and hired astute managers. With a price rise of more than 100%, the Los Angeles Rams are today among the most valued NFL franchises.
6. Jerry Jones and family
From their interests in oil, real estate, and the Cowboys' corporate operations, Jerry Jones and his family have accumulated a wealth of $17.3 billion that rank them sixth amongst NFL richest owners. In 1989, he paid $140 million to buy the Dallas Cowboys.
The acquisition was motivated by the aim of creating a sports empire and exploiting the financial possibilities of the team. Before the purchase, the Cowboys' financial status and degree of competitiveness were neither outstanding.
After buying the franchise, he transformed it into a commercial brand, invested money in building AT&T Stadium, and filled it with top coaches and athletes. The Cowboys' market value now exceeds $6 billion thanks to their extraordinary increase in commercial income.
7. Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan's $13.3 billion fortune is mostly derived from his ownership share in automotive component company Flex-N-Gate. The Jacksonville Jaguars cost him $760 million in 2011, a purchase that resulted from a passion for the game and hope in the team's future.
Before the acquisition, the Jaguars had bad performance and market influence as well as financial difficulties. Upon acquisition, Khan improved the home stadium, built ties with surrounding companies, hired top players and coaches, and pushed for the club's worldwide competitiveness. The club's market worth developed in line with team performance.
8. Robert Kraft
Robert Kraft's net wealth of $11.8 billion has come from real estate development and sports sector businesses he has procured. The New England Patriots were his 1994 acquisition, costing $172 million. His love of the beautiful game and the possibility for club financial success drove the purchase.
Before the purchase, the Patriots had poor performance, market value, and financial status. Following the purchase, he expended finances attracting players, refurbishing Gillette Stadium, the home turf, and building relationships with other brands.
The Patriots have won several Super Bowls and now have a valuation of more than $4 billion, solidifying Robert Kraft's rank as one of NFL's richest team owners.
9. Josh Harris
Josh Harris's $11.2 billion net worth mostly comes from Apollo Global Management, a private equity investment company. Spending $6.05 billion to buy the Washington Commanders, an indication of the growing sports investment industry, Josh Harris shattered the record for the most expensive NFL acquisition in 2023.
Harris made the purchase taking into consideration the team's commercial potential and brand value. Management and financial problems before the buy had degraded the team's performance and market value, but having experience with acquisitions, he intends to change the wage scale, consider upgrading the home stadium, and assemble a new management team. Things seem to be going nicely thus far.
10. Arthur Blank
A large share of Arthur Blank's $9.5 billion net worth, the tenth highest amongst NFL team owners, results from Home Depot's explosive ascent to fame. To land the Atlanta Falcons, he paid $545 million in 2002.
The purchase was motivated by investor interest and a wish to contribute to the sports sector. Before the purchase, the Falcons' financial status, performance, and market worth needed work.
Following team acquisition, he developed commercial ties, assembled top players and coaches, and rebuilt Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home ground. The unique achievements of the team have since enhanced its market value.