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We all know that NFL owners are some of the richest and most powerful people, not only in sports but on the planet. But just how rich are they?
We're ranking all 32 team owners in the NFL by their Forbes estimated net worth as of 2024. We'll also take a look at their backgrounds and just how they amassed the fortunes that allowed them to become part of one of the most exclusive clubs in sports.
As most readers know, estimated net worths are just that...estimates. We should also note that while some of these fortunes are tied squarely to the ownership of an NFL team, outside business interests can always impact these estimates.
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32. Green Bay Packers
Estimated Net Worth: Not Available
We kick things off with the most unique ownership situation in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are the league's only franchise that's controlled by a publicly owned, non-profit corporation. It's been that way since August 18, 1923, with over 500,000 stockholders owning shares of the iconic team.
The Packers will remain the NFL's most unique ownership situation for the foreseeable future, as the league now mandates that every franchise be owned by either a single owner or a small ownership group.
The Green Bay Packers are the only community-owned professional sports team in the United States. They are owned by more than 500,000 shareholders. This unique ownership structure is one of the many reasons why the Packers are the best franchise in the world 🌎 pic.twitter.com/7deH5cpFsf
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) December 15, 2022
31. Mike Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
Estimated Net Worth: $925 Million
Cincinnati Bengals owner and President Mike Brown is one of several "legacy" owners on this list. Unlike newer owners who buy an NFL franchise after amassing massive fortunes outside of football, Brown inherited the Bengals from his legendary father, Paul Brown, following the elder Brown's passing in 1991. As a result, the vast majority of Brown's net worth is tied directly to his ownership of the Bengals. Known as a notorious penny pincher in football circles, he's the only NFL owner with an estimated net worth of under $1 billion.
30. Art Rooney II - Pittsburgh Steelers
Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
The Rooney family is NFL royalty. Art Rooney Sr., founded the Steelers in 1933 and the franchise has been passed down through the family in the subsequent decades with the Rooney's becoming one of the most highly-respected families in football.
Dan Rooney, the father of current Steelers owner Art Rooney II, was the driving force behind the NFL's "Rooney Rule", a policy enacted to give minorities an equal opportunity to interview for head coaching and senior leadership roles within the league.
While the Rooney family's net worth is largely derived from their ownership of the Steelers, and may pale in comparison to many NFL owners, their organization is the envy of many, as it remains one of the most stable - and popular - franchises in the league.
T28. Zygi Wilf - Minnesota Vikings
Estimated Net Worth: $1.3 Billion
Zygi Wilf and a small partnership group purchased the Minnesota Vikings from Red McCombs in 2005 for $600 million. The German-born Wilf is one of just three NFL owners not born in the United States. He amassed his fortune as an attorney and commercial real estate developer before becoming Chairman and co-owner of the Vikings.
T28. Virginia Halas McCaskey - Chicago Bears
Estimated Net Worth: $1.3 Billion
The NFL's oldest and longest-tenured individual owner, at 101 Virginia Halas McCaskey remains the principal owner of the iconic Bears franchise that she inherited from her father, George Halas.
Friday is the 101st birthday for @ChicagoBears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey.
Her friends at 2121 George Halas Drive in Canton send her Happy Birthday wishes, appreciating everything she's done for pro football. pic.twitter.com/pajeFy1icw
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 5, 2024
Between herself, her children, and grandchildren, the Halas McCaskey family still owns 80% of the team her legendary father purchased in 1920. Though notoriously private, McCaskey has been a true trailblazer for women in the NFL and her impressive fortune revolves almost entirely around her ownership of the Bears.
27. Michael Bidwill - Arizona Cardinals
Estimated Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
Like several NFL franchises, the Cardinals have kept their ownership in the family. Following his father Bill Bidwill's death in 2019, Michael Bidwill inherited the Arizona Cardinals, becoming principal owner, chairman, and president of the franchise.
A former federal prosecutor, Michael is the third generation of his family to own the Cardinals, which was originally purchased by his grandfather Charles Bidwell in 1933. Among NFL franchises, only the Chicago Bears and New York Giants have been controlled by one family longer than the Cardinals.
T25. Sheila Ford Hamp - Detroit Lions
Estimated Net Worth: $2 Billion
With a lineage like Sheila Ford Hamp, it's easy to be worth big bucks. The daughter of William Clay Ford - the grandson of Henry Ford - and Martha Firestone Ford of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Sheila Ford Hamp was blessed with generational wealth from both sides of the family.
She first became involved with the Lions in 2014 and took over from her mother as the principal owner and chairwoman in 2020 - which marked the first time in NFL history that ownership of a team was passed between two women.
T25. Amy Adams Strunk - Tennessee Titans
Estimated Net Worth: $2 Billion
Many football fans still remember Amy Adams Strunk's father, Bud, who founded the Houston Oilers after amassing a fortune in the oil business. He rather infamously moved the team to Tennessee and rebranded them the Titans after a fallout with the city of Houston over the lack of funding for a new stadium.
Initially inheriting a third of the Titans following her father's death, Adams Strunk now owns half of the franchise and became the principal owner and controlling partner in 2015.
24. John Mara and Steve Tisch - New York Giants
Estimated Net Worth: $2.1 Billion ( Mara - $500 Million and Tisch - $1.6 Billion)
John Mara is a certified NFL blue blood. His grandfather, Tim, founded the Giants in 1925 and John is the third generation of Mara's to serve as the organization's owner. While he was a successful labor attorney, the bulk of Mara's net worth revolves around his co-ownership of the iconic New York Giants franchise.
Steve Tisch owns a 50% share of the Giants, which was purchased by his father Bob Tisch in 1991. While his father was the founder of the Loews Corporation, Steve has made his mark in Hollywood as a successful film and television producer.
23. Mark Davis - Las Vegas Raiders
Estimated Net Worth: $2.3 Billion
Son of the iconic trailblazer Al Davis, Mark grew up within the organization, working in the equipment department and in retail development for the Raiders. Along with his mother, Carol, Davis inherited a 47% share and controlling interest in the legendary franchise upon Al's death in 2011.
Mark Davis officially announces the Las Vegas @Raiders. #vegas #raiders #stadium pic.twitter.com/pUCSYfHj0q
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) January 22, 2020
Mark spearheaded the Raiders' move to Las Vegas, which has significantly increased the value of the team. He also owns the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces.
22. Dean Spanos - Los Angeles Chargers
Estimated Net Worth: $2.4 Billion
You're probably sensing a theme here, as Chargers owner Dean Spanos is yet another NFL owner who inherited the franchise from his father. Spanos' father, Alex, purchased a 60% share of the Bolts in 1984 for $48.3 million.
The real estate tycoon continued to buy up remaining shares of the team from minority owners in subsequent years and the Spanos family now controls a 97% interest in the Chargers. Dean took over full day-to-day operations of the team in 1994 and full ownership of the franchise after his father's death in 2018.
21. Jim Irsay - Indianapolis Colts
Estimated Net Worth: $4.4 Billion
One of the NFL's most colorful characters, Jim Irsay served as the Colts' general manager for years before inheriting the franchise following the death of his father, heating and air conditioning magnate Robert Irsay. Bob infamously purchased the Los Angeles Rams in 1972 and swapped franchises with Baltimore Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom on the same day.
I arrived in Indy 20 years too late. 🙂 https://t.co/g6As8VzguT
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) September 4, 2024
The trade of teams was a sign of things to come for the controversial Irsay family, as Bob Irsay later notoriously moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the dead of night. While Jim has found more success on the field than his father, he's known for his, ahem, eccentricities off it. Among his many hobbies, he owns what some experts consider to be the greatest guitar collection in the world.
20. Jeffrey Lurie - Philadelphia Eagles
Estimated Net Worth: $4.6 Billion
The grandson of General Cinema Corporation founder Philip Smith, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie started Chestnut Hill Productions in 1985 after serving as an executive at General Cinema.
His success as a producer of films and TV shows - as well as his family's ownership stake in General Cinema, which evolved into a multi-billion dollar conglomerate called Harcourt General Inc. - allowed Lurie to get into one of the most exclusive clubs in the world...NFL ownership.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to purchase his hometown New England Patriots in 1993, Lurie scooped up the Philadelphia Eagles for a cool $195 million in 1994. Last year Sportico ranked the Eagles as the NFL's ninth-most valuable franchise, tagging Lurie's club an estimated value of nearly $6 billion.
19. Janice McNair - Houston Texans
Estimated Net Worth: $5.6 Billion
The co-founder and Senior Chair of the Houston Texans, Janice McNair inherited 80% of the franchise following the death of her husband - Texas energy magnate Bob McNair - in 2018.
Now 87 years old, Mrs. McNair passed ownership of the Texans to her son, Cal, in March of this year. Cal has handled day-to-day operations of the organization since his father's death and it looks as though ownership of Houston's NFL franchise will stay with the McNair family for years to come.
18. Denise DeBartolo York and John York - San Francisco 49ers
Estimated Net Worth: $5.8 Billion
The daughter of construction and shopping center real estate tycoon Edward DeBartolo Sr., Denise has been part of the Niners franchise for over 40 years. She and her husband, John, serve as Co-Chairs of the 49ers.
One of the NFL's most storied and valuable franchises, the San Francisco 49ers organization has been under the control of the DeBartolo family since 1977. Jed York, son of John and Denise, is the current CEO of the Niners.
17. Gayle Benson - New Orleans Saints
Estimated Net Worth: $6.1 Billion
You're probably sensing a pattern here, as Gayle Benson is yet another NFL owner who inherited her stake in the team. Gayle is the widow of Tom Benson, who amassed his fortune through car dealerships and the banking industry.
Though she faced some legal battles with Tom's daughter and grandchildren over ownership of the franchise, Gayle has been the principal owner of the Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans since 2018. Over that time she has gained a reputation for her philanthropic efforts in the Gulf region.
16. Kim and Terry Pegula - Buffalo Bills
Estimated Net Worth: $6.8 Billion
Following the death of Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson, Terry Pegula and his wife Kim purchased the franchise in 2014. The Pegula's $1.4 Billion all-cash bid, outdid other potential bidders such as Donald Trump and Jon Bon Jovi.
Pegula amassed a large fortune in the natural gas industry and his investments in fracking. The family developed a taste for owning a sports team prior to their purchase of the Bills, as they acquired the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL in 2011.
15. Steve Bisciotti - Baltimore Ravens
Estimated Net Worth: $7.1 Billion
At age 23, Steve Bisciotti founded Aerotek, a staffing company in the technology sector that evolved into the Allegis Group, which is now the largest privately held staffing firm in the world.
Bisciotti purchased 49% of the Ravens in 2000 with the option to buy the remaining 51% from Art Modell for $325 million in 2004, an option which he exercised.
14. Jimmy and Dee Haslam - Cleveland Browns
Estimated Net Worth: $8 Billion
A powerful and prominent Tennessee family, Jimmy Haslam's father, Jim, founded the Pilot Corporation, which eventually became Pilot Flying J, owner and operator of a large network of travel centers and truck stops. While his brother Bill Haslam is the former Governor of Tennessee, Jimmy served as Chair of Pilot Flying J while purchasing a minority share of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.
Haslam and his wife Dee purchased the Cleveland Browns from Randy Lerner for $1 Billion in 2012. Berkshire Hathaway completed the purchase of the Haslam family's Pilot Flying J in 2024.
13. Arthur Blank - Atlanta Falcons
Estimated Net Worth: $8.4 Billion
One of the NFL's most prominent and respected owners, Arthur Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 from Terry Smith, the son of Falcons founder Rankin Smith, for $545 million. Blank became a billionaire long before his entry into the NFL ownership club thanks to his position as co-founder of Home Depot.
12. Josh Harris - Washington Commanders
Estimated Net Worth: $8.6 Billion
A graduate of the Wharton School and Harvard Business School, Josh Harris co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management in 1990. After amassing a multi-billion dollar fortune in the financial investment sector, Harris turned his attention to the world of sports.
EXCLUSIVE: Dan Snyder has reached an agreement in principle to sell the @Commanders for $6 billion to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris
Harris’ group, includes billionaire Mitchell Rales and former NBA star @MagicJohnson pic.twitter.com/ZIWKqeqtmN
— Sportico (@Sportico) April 13, 2023
He led a group that purchased the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 and the NHL's New Jersey Devils in 2013. Harris's biggest purchase came when he paid a record $6.05 billion to acquire the Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder in 2023.
11. Glazer Family - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Estimated Net Worth: $10 Billion
Glazer family patriarch, Malcolm, purchased the Bucs in 1995 for a then-league-record $192 million. He amassed his initial fortune in real estate before developing a diverse portfolio that included food service equipment, food packaging and food supplies, marine protein, broadcasting, health care, property, banking, natural gas and oil, the Internet, stocks and bonds.
10. Stephen Ross - Miami Dolphins
Estimated Net Worth: $10.1 Billion
The founder and chairman of Related Companies, Stephen Ross has built a fortune of over $10 billion in real estate development. The company started out as an affordable housing developer but has since grown to be a global entity that also focuses on high-profile real estate projects.
Ross initially purchased 50% of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium for $550 million in 2008 before buying an additional 45% of the team from Wayne Huizenga in 2009. His time at the helm of the 'Fins has not been without controversy, as he's been involved in a lawsuit filed by former head coach Brian Flores and was also fined and suspended by the NFL for impermissible tampering that included Tom Brady and Sean Payton, who were under contract with other teams at the time.
9. Robert Kraft - New England Patriots
Estimated Net Worth: $11.1 Billion
A Massachusetts native and long-time Patriot fan, Robert Kraft acquired the team for $172 million in 1994 with a fortune earned in the paper and packaging industry (not the Mac and Cheese business).
30 years ago today, Robert Kraft’s purchase of the Patriots became official.
RKK reflects on the most iconic moments in history: https://t.co/Cnaa6b8tMe pic.twitter.com/RCZKWOdzSw
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 25, 2024
He's gone on to become one of the most successful franchise owners in history, as his decision to hire Bill Belichick coincided with New England's drafting of quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots captured six Super Bowl titles during Kraft's franchise ownership.
8. Shahid Khan - Jacksonville Jaguars
Estimated Net Worth: $12.2 Billion
Born in Pakistan, Shahid Khan moved to the U.S. at the age of 16. After earning an engineering degree, Khan worked in the automotive part manufacturing industry, eventually starting his own company which grew to be one of the largest suppliers of automotive parts in the world.
Khan attempted to purchase the St. Louis Rams in 2010, but when that deal fell through he ultimately snagged the Jacksonville Jaguars in late 2011 for $770 million. He is the first member of an ethnic minority group to own an NFL team.
7. Jerry Jones - Dallas Cowboys
Estimated Net Worth: $13.8 Billion
One of the most well-known owners in all of sports, Jerry Jones has made quite the impression since purchasing "America's Team" for $140 million in 1989 with money earned in the oil and gas industry.
Jerry Jones’ first news conference as Cowboys owner. (February, 1989.) I think that’s @DavidMooreDMN using a typewriter at the end of the clip pic.twitter.com/eTaVOTVn0S
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 13, 2021
From firing the legendary Tom Landry as soon as he took over, to a bitter parting of ways with another Super Bowl-winning coach, Jimmy Johnson, Jones has never been afraid to do things his way...even when his methods proved controversial. He's been one of the NFL's most influential owners for decades and is credited with securing lucrative TV deals and increasing the financial prosperity of the league's other owners.
6. Woody and Christopher Johnson - New York Jets
Estimated Net Worth: $16 Billion
Heirs to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, brothers Woody and Christopher Johnson purchased the New York Jets in 2000 for $665 million, a then-record for a professional New York sports team.
Woody serves as CEO and Chairman of the Jets, though Christopher did take over the operations of Gang Green while Woody served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021.
5. Stan Kroenke - Los Angeles Rams
Estimated Net Worth: $16.2 Billion
Stan Kroenke became wealthy the old-fashioned way...by marrying into it. He married Ann Walton - daughter of Wal-Mart co-founder Bud Walton - in 1974, which kickstarted his real estate development firm.
Kroenke parlayed that success into one of the most impressive sports ownership portfolios in the world. In addition to the Los Angeles (formerly St. Louis) Rams, he and his wife also own the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the NHL's Colorado Avalance, as well as Arsenal FC of the Premier League. Though Kroenke's original investment in the Rams contributed to the team relocating from L.A. to St. Louis, he controversially moved the Rams back to L.A. over stadium disputes with the city of St. Louis.
4. Jody Allen (Paul Allen Estate) - Seattle Seahawks
Estimated Net Worth: $20.3 Billion
Jody, sister of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, serves as chairwoman of the Seattle Seahawks, as well as the founder and President of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Following her brother's death in 2018, Jody was given the responsibility of overseeing his business interests which include the Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trailblazers.
3. David Tepper - Carolina Panthers
Estimated Net Worth: $20.6 Billion
Tepper is one of the NFL's richest - and most controversial - owners. An uber-successful hedge-fund manager and founder of Appaloosa Management, Tepper purchased the Panthers from Jerry Richardson for $2.2 billion without the help of any investment partners.
EMBARRASSING:
Panthers owner David tepper throws a drink on the crowd because his team sucks and the fans are letting him hear it.
Absolutely unhinged behavior from an owner.
Take some accountability pic.twitter.com/dzN38zFpJc
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 1, 2024
Since he acquired the Carolina franchise, the team has struggled on the field and burned through six different head coaches with Tepper's frustrations and temper being well documented.
2. The Hunt Family - Kansas City Chiefs
Estimated Net Worth: $24.8 Billion
After failing to break into the NFL as an owner, Lamar Hunt, the son of oil tycoon H.L Hunt, helped co-found the American Football League and the Dallas Texans. Following the AFL/NFL merger, Hunt moved the team to Kansas City and renamed them the Chiefs.
Following Lamar Hunt's death in 2006, his son Clark, along with his mother and siblings, inherited ownership of the Chiefs. Clark has served as the face of the franchise and is the club's Chairman. Due to their long history with the league, as well as the success and stability of the Chiefs, the Hunt family is considered borderline royalty in NFL circles.
1. Rob Walton (Walton-Penner Family) - Denver Broncos
Estimated Net Worth: $94.2 Billion
Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton is the richest owner in the NFL by a country mile with an astonishing estimated fortune of over $90 billion. Rob is the eldest son of Wal-Mart co-founder Sam Walton and served as Wal-Mart's chairman from 1992 to 2015.
“Our No. 1 priority is putting a winning football team on the field to win Super Bowls for #BroncosCountry.” - Rob Walton pic.twitter.com/IU6kiS8KuF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 10, 2022
The Walton-Penner group purchased the Denver Broncos for $4.65 billion in 2022. It was the largest price ever paid for a U.S. sports franchise at the time. Despite Walton's bottomless pockets, the Broncos have struggled since he assumed ownership of the team, though he's reportedly made Sean Payton the highest-paid coach in sports in an effort to turn things around.
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