Owning a sports team is not easy. It takes a huge amount of money and long-term vision. In leagues like the NFL and NBA, team values have crossed $3 billion. That makes ownership limited to the ultra-rich. Still, the latest 2026 rankings show something interesting. Many of the richest owners did not make their money from sports. They built fortunes in tech, retail, finance, and luxury goods. Then they entered sports later.
This year’s list has also seen a major shake-up. Bernard Arnault takes the top spot. That happened after his club earned promotion to Ligue 1. His rise pushed former leader Steve Ballmer down the list. At the same time, Rob Walton jumped into second place with a big rise in wealth.
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The total wealth of the top 25 owners has hit $903 billion. That is a huge jump from last year. Every owner in the top 10 now has over $20 billion. Soccer is the most common sport on the list. NFL and NBA still have strong presence. This list shows how global and business-driven sports ownership has become. (via Boardroom).
10. David Tepper
10. David Tepper
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Net Worth: $23.7 billion
Source: Hedge funds
Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC are both under Tepper. He bought the Panthers in 2018.
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For the first time, the team made the playoffs last season. They finished 8-9 but still won the NFC South. A late loss ended their run.
Coaching has been unstable under Tepper. However, Dave Canales may change that if he stays longer.
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9. Daniel Gilbert
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has announced a $500 million investment to support residents in Detroit.
The first $15 million installment will eliminate the property tax debt for 20,000 low-income homeowners. pic.twitter.com/jsuBCMNWpC
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 8, 2021
Net Worth: $27.9 billion
Source: Rocket Mortgage
Gilbert owns the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His wealth has stayed flat this year. Rocket Companies’ stock has not returned to its earlier highs.
Still, the Cavaliers are strong again. They finished as a top seed last season. A playoff loss is still fresh. The team wants a comeback.
MORE: Most valuable MLB franchises of 2026 ranked
8. Francois Pinault
🗣️ 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖̧𝗢𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧 🇫🇷 𝗩𝗘𝗨𝗧 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗥 𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗔𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗧 𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗜𝗡 ! ❤️🖤
L'actuel propriétaire du club breton a réaffirmé ses grandes ambitions en soulignant que le SRFC dispose désormais de tous les atouts pour… pic.twitter.com/CSfFGxhxLA
— Actu Ligue 1 (@ActuL1_) March 18, 2026
Net Worth: $29.5 billion
Source: Luxury goods
Pinault owns Stade Rennais FC.
His company, Kering, saw a mild recovery this year. That helped his wealth grow.
On the field, Rennes is doing better. The club is now fifth in Ligue 1. That is a solid jump from last season.
7. Henry Samueli
#9. Henry Samueli
•Net Worth: $19.7 billion
•Team: Anaheim Ducks
•Source of Wealth: Semiconductors
•Citizenship: United States pic.twitter.com/FvzXifTL0E
— IMJA Lifestyle (@imjalifestyle) June 21, 2025
Net Worth: $30.8 billion
Source: Semiconductors
Samueli owns the Anaheim Ducks.
Demand for AI chips pushed Broadcom stock higher. That boosted his fortune.
He bought the Ducks for $70 million in 2005. Now the team is worth $1.4 billion. A $1 billion arena upgrade is also planned.
6. Robert Pera
⚠️ CRISE INSTITUCIONAL NO MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES!
Robert Pera, dono do Grizzlies, tem uma empresa de tecnologia que estaria financiando drones para a Rússia na guerra, em operações rotuladas como "crimes contra a humanidade" pelas Nações Unidas.
Além disso, Robert Pera parece estar… pic.twitter.com/zxiz0R7hap
— NBA da bad (@NBAdabad) January 27, 2026
Net Worth: $31.7 billion
Source: Wireless networking
Pera owns the Memphis Grizzlies.
His wealth doubled this year. Ubiquiti saw strong growth in revenue and profit.
The team is in a rebuild phase. Key players were traded away. A playoff spot looks unlikely this season.
5. Idan Ofer
Idan Ofer
💰 Net Worth: $22.5B
⚽ Stakes: Atlético Madrid (30%), FC Famalicão (85%)
🚢 Wealth from shipping & chemicals.
🌍 Citizenship: Israeli pic.twitter.com/q22D0tM2Il
— Why It Is Trending (@trendingblog247) September 2, 2025
Net Worth: $34.6 billion
Source: Shipping
Ofer controls FC Famalicão. He also has a stake in Atlético Madrid.
His wealth has surged in recent years. His shipping company now runs around 250 vessels.
Famalicão is doing well. The club sits sixth and is close to a top-five finish.
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4. Miriam Adelson
4. Miriam Adelson
Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson smiles to the fans during the second quarter of the game between the Mavericks and the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Net Worth: $37.5 billion
Source: Casinos
Adelson, along with Patrick Dumont, is the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
A big trade shocked fans in 2025. Luka Doncic was moved. That caused backlash.
Luck turned things around. The team won the No. 1 draft pick with just 1.8% odds. Cooper Flagg is now the new face of the team.
3. Steve Ballmer
3. Steve Ballmer
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Net Worth: $126 billion
Source: Microsoft
Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers.
His wealth rose slightly this year. Microsoft stock had an uneven run.
Off the court, there is trouble. A deal linked to Kawhi Leonard is under investigation. The team has denied any wrongdoing.
2. Rob Walton
2. Rob Walton
Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton stands on the sidelines prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Net Worth: $146 billion
Source: Walmart
Walton owns the Denver Broncos.
His wealth jumped by 33%. That pushed him into second place.
The Broncos improved fast after he took over. They had the best AFC record last season. An injury to Bo Nix hurt their playoff run.
Walton also owns a 10% stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MORE: 2026 NFL salary cap space rankings by team
1. Bernard Arnault
Net Worth: $171 billion
Source: LVMH
Arnault owns Paris FC.
He takes the top spot this year. His club’s promotion to Ligue 1 made him eligible for the list.
Paris FC has long been behind PSG. Now Arnault wants to change that. Red Bull is also involved in the project. Jürgen Klopp leads their global football plans.
The team is mid-table right now. Still, the long-term goal is clear. Arnault is also pushing LVMH deeper into sports. A $1 billion Formula 1 deal shows that.
Conclusion
This list shows how sports ownership is changing fast. Many owners built wealth outside sports first. Then they entered teams as investors. Soccer leads the list, but the NFL and the NBA remain strong. At the top, Bernard Arnault stands far ahead. His rise shows how even smaller clubs can bring global power into sports.
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