For the ninth consecutive year, Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has easily remained the richest owner in American professional sports, according to Forbes.
Ballmer’s net worth, estimated at $101 billion, made up largely of Microsoft shares and his former status as CEO of that company, represents a 21.7% increase from a year ago, far exceeding the second owner on the list, Rob Walton, owner of the Denver Broncos, and his $67.4 billion.
Ballmer and his Clippers seeking their first NBA title, having historically been in the shadow of the neighboring Los Angeles Lakers, are about to usher in a bold new era next year with the planned opening of the Intuit Dome, of $2,000 million dollars.
Behind Ballmer and Walton are Dan Gilbert of the Cleveland Cavaliers (third, $21.3 billion), David Tepper of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC (fourth, $20.6 billion), and Steve Cohen of the New York Mets (fifth, $19.8 billion).
Earlier this year, Josh Harris led a $6.05 billion purchase of the Washington Commanders that set a new sales record for a professional sports team, while Mat Ishbia’s $4 billion acquisition of the Phoenix Suns set a new NBA record.
But neither Harris nor Ishbia could break into the top 20 of the richest sports team owners. Their respective net worths, $6.9 billion and $6.7 billion, are below Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti’s $7.2 billion.
Among the biggest gainers in 2023 is Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam, who broke into the top 20 this year, boasting the most substantial gain among sports owners.
In total, the 20 richest sports owners in the United States total $382 billion, 10% more than a year ago. On this year’s list, 11 own NFL teams, 9 own soccer teams (including MLS and European clubs), 8 own NBA franchises, 2 control NHL clubs, and one owns an NBA team. MLB.
More than two-thirds of them are wealthier than a year ago, thanks to rising valuations of sports teams and favorable public markets.
The Forbes ranking takes into account owners who control major sports franchises directly or through personal companies.
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