In the world of sports, it’s not just the athletes who rack up the big bucks; the owners also play the money game in an extravagant league of their own. A recent report revealed that the 25 richest sports owners around the globe have a staggering collective worth of $67 billion. Among this elite group, five owners stand out, flaunting their fortunes and making headlines in the process.
Starting with the fifth wealthiest owner is an Israeli billionaire who boasts an estimated net worth of $22.5 billion. Known for being the younger son of the late shipping mogul Sammy Ofer, this tycoon ventured into the world of soccer in 2018. After acquiring majority control of Portugal’s FC Famalicão and dipping his toes into Spanish soccer with a minority stake in Atlético Madrid, he has carved out a niche for himself in the competitive realm of sports ownership.
In fourth place is Daniel Gilbert, the man behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who finds his fortune at around $27.8 billion. Gilbert’s wealth largely stems from his successful publicly traded mortgage company, Rocket Companies, which has propelled him into the billionaires’ club. Thanks to his focused leadership, the Cavaliers franchise has soared as well, now valued at approximately $3.95 billion. The city of Cleveland has a lot to thank Gilbert for, especially when the Cavaliers brought home an NBA championship in 2016.
Taking the third spot is Miriam Mleson, who has a net worth of about $32.1 billion. As the fresh face in the ownership game, she made headlines with her recent acquisition of the Dallas Mavericks. However, her journey has not been without turbulence; she faced a significant challenge when superstar Luka Don?i? was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers this year. Fans are holding their breath as they wait to see how she will navigate the team back to glory after the shocking trade.
The runner-up in this high-stakes game of wealth is Rob Walton, owner of the Denver Broncos. Specializing in the sport of football, Walton’s fortune has soared to an estimated $110 billion, nearly doubling in just one year. This meteoric rise can be attributed to Walmart, the retail empire his father founded more than sixty years ago. With his vast resources, Walton aims to bring the Broncos back to their Super Bowl-winning ways, although fans hope he won’t run out of shopping carts full of money.
And the crown for the richest sports owner in the world goes to none other than Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. With a jaw-dropping net worth of $118 billion, Ballmer’s wealth continues to grow as he embraces his role in professional basketball. After years of dreaming, he finally opened the doors to the Intuit Dome in Englewood, a new home for the Clippers that promises to be a game-changer. As he invests in both the team and its new venue, fans can only wonder what thrilling developments lie ahead.
As the sports world continues to thrive financially, these billionaire owners are constantly in the spotlight, with their fortunes rising and falling just like their teams. Whether they’re navigating trades, building new stadiums, or simply trying to make a mark on history, one thing is for sure: the game of sports ownership is competitive, exciting, and undoubtedly lucrative. For a complete rundown of the wealthiest sports owners, the curious can check out Forbes for the full list.
