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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Ambani and Ballmer Are Richest Sports Owners in Soccer-Dominated List

  • Mukesh Ambani dethroned Steve Ballmer as the world’s richest sports owner.
  • Soccer team owners accounted for eight of the 20 richest owners.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates a victory with guard Eric Gordon (10) after defeating the New York Knicks 106-95 at Crypto.com Arena.
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

A dip in Microsoft’s stock knocked Steve Ballmer off his perch as the world’s richest sports owner.

Mukesh Ambani, owner of the cricket team the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, is the world’s richest team owner, according to Forbes. 

Ambani (net worth $83.4 billion) is chairman of Reliance Industries, a conglomerate with interests in energy, retail, telecommunications, and more. Reliance has also been growing its cricket empire with teams in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the new Women’s Indian Premier League.

Ballmer ($80.7 billion), who can often be spotted courtside at home games of his Los Angeles Clippers, is funding the construction of the team’s future home: the $2 billion Intuit Dome slated to open in 2024.

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Of the top 20 richest owners, eight own soccer teams. Of those, Stade Rennais owner François Pinault has the highest net worth at $40.1 billion.

He’s sandwiched between Walmart heir Rob Walton ($57.6 billion), who bought the Denver Broncos last year, and Mark Mateschitz ($34.7 billion), who inherited 49% of Red Bull, along with stakes in Red Bull Racing, the New York Red Bulls, and RB Leipzig from his late father, Dietrich Mateschitz.

The sixth name on the list, OGC Nice owner James Ratcliffe ($22.9 billion), is working to acquire Manchester United, one of the most valuable teams in the world.

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