In a league where billionaires are the norm and team owners’ wealth often reaches astronomical figures, one man stands out for a different reason. Mike Brown, owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, is consistently identified as the “poorest” owner in the NFL, with a net worth of approximately $925 million, according to 2025 reports from sources such as Grok on X and Deadspin. But what does “poor” even mean when you are still worth nearly a billion dollars, and how does this status shape one of the league’s most unique franchises? This situation highlights the staggering financial scale of the NFL, where even the lowest-ranking owner is exceptionally wealthy.
How Did Mike Brown’s Family Legacy Shape the Bengals?
Team owner Mike Brown takes questions from reporters during the annual Cincinnati Bengals season kickoff luncheon at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Team owner Mike Brown takes questions from reporters during the annual Cincinnati Bengals season kickoff luncheon at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, July 22, 2024.
The story of Mike Brown’s ownership is deeply tied to his family’s legacy and a distinctive approach to business. He took control of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991 after the death of his father, Paul Brown, the legendary founder of both the Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. With a net worth of $925 million, Mike Brown is just short of the billionaire club. This figure pales in comparison to NFL powerhouses like Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton, who has a staggering net worth of over $114 billion.
This financial standing is even more striking when you consider the team’s history. The franchise was purchased for just $7.5 million in 1967, but its value has since grown to an estimated $2 billion. Throughout this growth, the Bengals have remained a family-owned and operated business. Brown’s daughter, Katie Blackburn, serves as the team’s executive vice president and plays a major role in football operations. This commitment to family is matched by a famously frugal approach, with cautious financial decisions and direct involvement shaping the organization.
A recent finance brief from Grok in June 2025 reads, “The Green Bay Packers are publicly owned, so they don’t count in individual comparisons. Net worth estimates can vary slightly, but evidence points to Brown as the lowest among individual owners.” This distinction separates him from publicly owned teams and reinforces his unique status.
How Does Brown’s Wealth Compare to Other NFL Owners?
Bengals Mike Brown
Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown accepts the Hunt Trophy after the team won the AFC Championship Game in 2022, Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
While Brown’s wealth is immense by any standard measure, he remains an outlier in the exclusive club of NFL owners. In a room full of multibillionaires, his financial standing places him at the bottom of the list. Other owners near the lower end of the spectrum, such as Steve Tisch of the New York Giants ($1.1 billion), Zygi Wilf of the Minnesota Vikings ($1.3 billion), and Virginia Halas McCaskey of the Chicago Bears ($1.3 billion), all have net worths that consistently rank above Brown’s reported figure.
This hands-on management and tight budgetary control have defined the Bengals’ organizational culture throughout Brown’s tenure. The involvement of family members, such as his daughter, reinforces the team’s traditions and has a direct impact on the financial strategy. This approach fosters continuity of ownership, a rarity in a league that is increasingly dominated by corporate interests.
Ultimately, despite operating with fewer financial resources and sometimes facing criticism for that strategy, Brown’s approach shows a deep commitment to family stewardship and competitive integrity. This contrast between his wealth and that of the league’s titans makes Mike Brown the NFL’s “poorest” owner in 2025, but it also solidifies his status as one of its most distinctive figures.