With over 100 million fans that grow each day, the NFL is the most popular US sports league with over $5 billion in revenue. The franchises have garnered an increased fanbase over the years.
Meanwhile, the owners have witnessed good revenue from their teams. Media rights, team merchandise, and ticket sales all lead to the franchise revenue.
The main source of income for the NFL owners is the media deals. CBS, ESPN, Fox, and NBC have made multi-million broadcasting deals to showcase specific NFL games.
Primetime and playoff fixtures lead to thousands of people flocking to cable and other streaming platforms to watch their favorite teams.
Every team is a booming business opportunity for the owners, and to elevate their commercial situation, they spearhead strategic decisions like new executives, funding, and organization.
Out of the 32 teams, the Green Bay Packers are the only ones that run on a non-profit basis. The franchise is owned publicly, with about 537,460 stockholders.
The 16th richest man on the planet with an astounding $72 billion fortune, Rob Walton bought the Denver Broncos for a fee of $4.62 billion in June 2022.
The sale was recorded as the most expensive sale ever made in a sports team's history. The team is worth $5.1 billion today.
Walton joined the ownership group for the Broncos alongside former US Secretary Condoleeza Rice and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.
A University of Arkansas graduate, Rob is the heir to the Walmart Inc. He helped Walmart become public and reach the Forbes 500 ranking.
A University of Pittsburgh graduate, David Tepper is a hedge fund billionaire who co-founded Appaloosa Management. He is worth about $20.6 billion today.
Tepper purchased the Panthers organization in July 2018. The club is worth $4.1 billion. He seeks to deliver a competitive winning team every year.
The Panthers owner has taken many social initiatives as a team owner, helping establish the Panthers' Player Impact Committee.
He has also offered charitable works in Carolina areas by offering the Tepper scholarship programs.
A graduate of Whitman College, Jody Allen is a proud 12th Man with a major stake in the Seahawks organization since her brother Paul Allen passed away. The Allens purchased the team in 1994 for a fee of $197 million.
Jody also acts as the board chair for the Paul G. Allen Foundation which provides grants to 1000s of non-profit firms. She co-founded Vulcan Inc. with her brother.
She was a crucial figure in the construction and operation of Lumen Field. She also has holdings in the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and MLS's Seattle Sounders.
The Hunt Family is one of the most well-known ownership names in the NFL. They have a rich history with the Kansas City Chiefs with Lamar Hunt forming the team. Lamar also assisted in founding the AFL.
A family of oil tycoons, the Hunts are one of the richest families in the USA. Clark Hunt is the major member today who acts as the franchise's Chairman.
Clark, who is a 1987 Southern Methodist University graduate, spearheaded the renovation efforts for the Arrowhead Stadium in 2010 worth $375 million.
He is also involved in charitable works for the team, like the Chiefs Charity Game which collects millions of funds for youth.
Stan Kroenke is one of the most prolific owners in the sports sector, with his arms reaching multiple franchises.
He brought a portion of the LA Rams in 1995 and brought the remaining portion in 2010. The club is worth $6.9 billion today.
In January 2016, Kroenke decided to relocate the Rams back to Los Angeles. He also helped in the SoFi Stadium construction in operations and funding.
An international business leader, Stan's Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has holdings in other sports franchises like Arsenal FC, NHL's Colorado Avalanche and NBA's Denver Nuggets.
A Cowboys owner since February 1989, Jerry Jones has a net worth of $14.5 billion. A real estate investor, Jones is an NFL Hall of Famer for bringing the Cowboys to great heights in the 1990s.
Jones graduated from the University of Arkansas and played football as an offensive lineman there. His football interest certainly aided in his Dallas success.
As an owner and GM, Jerry has witnessed three Super Bowl wins to date.
He was also prominent in offering leadership for the design and construction of the Cowboys AT&T; stadium.
The Cowboys are the most valuable franchise, with a net worth of $9 billion.
A Pakistani-American businessman, Shahid Khan is a well-known figure in the NFL for owning the Jacksonville Jaguars. He successfully purchased the franchise in January 2012. In 2023, the club is worth $4 billion.
Khan is also the owner of Flex-N-Gate, a motor vehicle parts supplier. In the sports context, he has holdings in Premier League's Fulham FC and AEW Elite Wrestling.
A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate, Khan offers millions of grants every year through the Jaguars Foundation which funds youth and family programs.
The Khan Family has provided millions of funds for many initiatives like the Baptist Health Foundation and COVID-19 relief.
The CEO of Kraft Group, Robert Kraft has the New England Patriots ownership since January 21, 1994. Robert was a lifelong Patriots fan and had been a season ticket holder.
He had made the mission to bring the NFL championship to New England, and it came to fruition in the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era. The Patriots has won 6 Super Bowls since the 2000s.
Kraft was an essential figure in the building of Gillette Stadium in the early 2000s. Kraft Group's real estate team was present to monitor the completion.
Robert is also involved in social ventures like youth sports and healthcare through the Kraft Foundation.
Stephen Ross is a real estate developer who owns The Related Companies firm. His initial investment in the Miami Dolphins came in February 2008.
Ross also invested about $730 million in the Hard Rock Stadium to make it stand out in the League. The stadium has hosted 6 Super Bowls to date.
Graduating from the University of Michigan, Ross has donated millions of dollars to his alma mater college. He also offered $100 million to develop the University of Michigan Detroit Center for Innovation.
Along with the Dolphins, Stephen also has holdings in F1's Miami International Autodrome.
Jimmy Haslam has been the owner of the Cleveland Browns franchise since 2012. Haslam bought the Browns organization for $1 billion.
As a Browns member, Haslam has partaken in many philanthropic activities. They donated $1.5 million as part of the Covid-19 relief funds in Ohio. He and his spouse have donated millions through their Haslam 3 Foundation.
Haslam also took the initiative to renovate the Browns stadium, providing $125 million to upgrade the facilities.
A Pilot Flying J Truck Stop board chairman, Jimmy also has a stake in the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
After Dan Snyder sold the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris in 2023, the Commanders fans have become motivated to usher in a new era. Harris's group bought the franchise for $6.05 billion. NBA legend Magic Johnson also holds a minority stake.
As of 2023, the franchise has a net worth of $6.05 billion.
Harris is the founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment which operates the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils.
He is an active member in charity, making investments through Harris Philanthropies since 2014.
The Home Depot co-founder, Arthur Bank is a renowned businessman who has had a stake in the Atlanta Falcons since 2002.
A Babson College graduate, Blank is an ardent philanthropic figure who has offered more than $800 million via his Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. He also gave $7 million as part of the Covid-19 relief fund.
Arthur has purchased many other sports franchises too. He has holdings in the Arena Football League's Georgia Force, MLB's Atlanta Braves, and MLS's Atlanta United.
Bisciotti purchased 49% of the Baltimore Ravens organization in March 2000. Then, in 2004, he bought the remaining portion.
As the Ravens owner, he has witnessed two Lombardi Trophies in his career. Stephen has utilized his funds to establish new practice and training facilities for the franchise.
The Philadelphia native is the founder of Aerotek organization, the biggest recruiting agency in the USA.
Bisciotti has been active in charity through The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation, providing millions in grants and scholarships.
Buffalo Bills saw new ownership in September 2014 when Terry Pegula bought the franchise. They already owned a stake in the NHL's Buffalo Sabres since February 2011.
His objective was to bring the Bills to become a winning team and win Super Bowls. So far, the Bills have not achieved a Lombardi Trophy.
Pegula made the crucial decision to establish a new Bills stadium in 2022, which will cost about $1.4 billion. The new turf will be located right next to the current field.
A former US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson has owned the New York Jets since 2000.
Johnson was integral in the construction and entrance of Jets in the world-famous MetLife Stadium. He also aided in sending the team to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, which is considered one of the best facilities.
He is active in philanthropy and provided $1 million for Ukrainian aid in 2022 through the Jets Foundation.
His great-grandfather was the founder of Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson. This, alongside the Jet's worth of $6.1 billion, makes him one of the richest people in the USA.
New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson inherited the NFL franchise after her husband Tom Benson passed away in 2018. Tom had bought the team in 1985.
A New Orleans native, Gayle was instrumental in the completion process of Caesar's Superdome which has hosted the most Super Bowls. She has aided in landing many SB matches to Louisiana.
Today, she also owns stakes in the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans
Gayle and her husband worked together to build the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
The San Francisco 49ers are owned by the York Family. Denise and Jon York co-chair the team, while their son Jed is the CEO. They own 90% of the franchise today.
Denise's dad Edward originally purchased the franchise in 1977. The York family has witnessed 5 Super Bowl awards since then.
The Saint Mary's College graduate, Denise has been involved in the real estate business. However, she had to sell the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins to aid the DeBartolo Corporation.
Today, the 49ers organization is worth $6 billion.
After Bob McNair's passing, his wife Janice McNair inherited an 80% stake in the Houston Texans. The franchise is worth $5.5 billion today.
Bob and Janice co-founded the Texans team back in 1999. The team started its official operation in 2002.
Janice was considered the right arm of her husband in his business endeavors. Her son, Daniel Calhoun, is the CEO of the franchise, but she attends the owner's meetings.
Lady McNair is also involved in charity like donating $1 million for Houston Rent Relief during the Covid pandemic.
The Glazers have owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1995 after Malcolm Glazer paid a $192 million fee for the franchise. Today, Malcolm's son Joel Glazer handles the club's operations.
The family was crucial in the successful construction of the iconic Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs' home turf has held three Super Bowls, i.e. in XXXV, XLII, and LV.
Since Joel has taken leadership, the Bucs have won 2 Lombardi Trophies.
The Glazer Family Foundation donates millions for children's initiatives in Tampa Bay.
The Glazers are also known for their ownership of the EPL's Manchester United FC.
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeff Lurie took a loan of 185 million dollars to buy the team in 1994. The franchise has a net worth of $5.6 billion in 2023.
With him at the helm, the Eagles won the Super Bowl LII and came close to winning it in XXXIX and LVII. The team has made great strides with 17 playoff appearances under Lurie's leadership.
Jeff is also the founder of Chestnut Hill Productions and has been involved in Hollywood shows like Oscar-winning Inside Job and Inocente.
Jim Irsay inherited the Indianapolis Colts franchise (net worth of $4.35 billion) from his dad Robert Irsay. Jim has been the principal owner for more than 20 years.
An SMU alma mater, Jim played college football as a Linebacker. With him in the ownership, the Colts have won two Super Bowls and produced the legendary Peyton Manning.
The Colts Chairman has invested in philanthropy in Indiana, such as funds for Riley Hospital for Children and the Indianapolis Zoo.
Mike Brown has been the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise since 1991 after his father Paul Brwon passed away. Paul is the co-founder of the Bengals franchise.
With the Bengals having a net worth of $4 billion, Mike made his first major decision by firing then-coach Sam Wyche. He also had to fight for a new stadium deal in Cincinnati.
Under his leadership, the Browns franchise has struggled, producing winless playoff seasons from 1991 to 2020 consecutively.
A Dartmouth graduate, Mike played as a QB during his college days.
Dean Spanos has ownership of the Los Angeles Chargers franchise since 2018. However, he took the CEO's duty in 1994.
The Chargers are worth $4.15 billion today. Spanos made a bold decision to relocate the team to Los Angeles from San Diego in January 2017.
In 2022, Spanos has spearheaded the construction of the team's training facilities and corporate headquarters in El Segundo.
A philanthrope, Dean has conducted many fundraisers, including the 1999 250k grant to San Diego County schools. He also made a partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
24. Steve Tisch and John Mara - $1.5 billion, $500 million
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis inherited the club after his father, Al Davis. Mark has taken the lead in the $6.2 billion worth franchise since 2011.
An alma mater of Chico State, Mark was crucial in the Raiders relocating to Las Vegas. He was crucial in the establishment of the new Allegiant stadium, where the 2024 Super Bowl will be held.
One of his major decisions came when he fired new Josh McDaniels in the 2023 season.
Mark also has a stake in the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. He purchased the organization in January 2021.
The daughter of Tennessee Titans founder Bud Adams, Amy is the controlling owner of the franchise in 2023. She has half of the stake in the team, while the other half is carried by other family members.
Aiming to make the Titans franchise top of the class, Amy has invested in major upgrades for Nissan Stadium. She has also worked to upgrade the player's practice facilities.
The University of Texas at Austin graduate also has holdings in other businesses like Kenada Fox Hounds and Bud Adams Ranches, Inc.
Under her, the Titans have won the AFC South title twice (2020 and 2021). The Titans have a net worth of $4.4 billion.
Arizona Cardinals saw Michael Bidwill buying the team in 2019 after serving 13 seasons as the franchise's President. The Bidwill family has controlled the club since his grandad Charles Bidwill's days.
Michael aimed to make the Cardinals a serious NFL contender again after purchasing the franchise. His biggest achievement occurred in the 2008 season when the Cardinals made its first Super Bowl appearance.
A Saint Louis University graduate, Michael helped the organization reach new heights by building the marvelous State Farm Stadium. This Coliseum hosted the 2023 Lombardi Trophy game.
Art Rooney II is the current owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rooneys have a rich history with the Steelers since Art Rooney Sr. founded the team in 1933.
A University of Pittsburgh graduate, Rooney II has been active in a strategic decision-making role since becoming a Board member in 1989. He became the team President in 2003.
Under his leadership, the Steelers have gathered two Super Bowls (XL and XLIII).
In 2023, the Steelers have a net worth of $1.35 billion.
Virginia Halas McCaskey is the daughter of Papa Bear, George Halas. Virginia has owned the Chicago Bears franchise since 1983.
She also holds the record for being the oldest owner in the NFL today. She is 100 years of age since January 2023. She is a graduate of Drexel University
Her leadership boomed in the 1980s when the Bears won the Super Bowl XX and clinched consecutive NFC Central titles from 1984 - 1988.
Moreover, she also has the longest ownership tenure record by controlling the $6.3 billion worth Bears franchise.
Zygi Wilf is the Minnesota Vikings owner who has been with the team since 2005. Wilf also works as an attorney and real estate developer.
Under Wilf's leadership, the US Bank Stadium was constructed for a fee of $975 million. He also successfully brought the Super Bowl LII to the Vikings turf.
Wilf aided in the development of the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. It opened in 2018 and serves as the training camp for the Vikings players.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University graduate controls a team that has a net worth of $4.65 billion.
Sheila Ford Hamp is the Principal owner of the Detroit Lions franchise. She has been the club's chairman since 2020, succeeding her mom Martha.
A Yale graduate, Sheila has been active in managerial duties for the Lions. Just months after her succession, she fired GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia. She laid out visions to build a collaborative culture in the club.
To solidify her vision, she established the Culture Task Force. The team also took part in the Hard Knocks TV show.
Sheila is a member of two richest American families: the Fords and Firestones.
