• Loading stock data...
Monday, August 25, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Ballmer Becomes Ninth Member of $100B Club

  • Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is now the world’s richest sports owner.
  • Ballmer is able to leverage his team ownership to reduce his tax burden.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is now worth $100 billion.

The former Microsoft CEO can claim the title of world’s richest sports team owner due to a surge in tech stock prices that’s lifted many wealthy individuals to even greater heights.

Ballmer passes Mukesh Ambani, owner of cricket’s Mumbai Indians, who ranked first with a net worth of $84.5 billion as recently as April.

With $20 billion in asset growth just this year, Ballmer is one of nine people in the $100 billion club.

  • Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the world’s richest person at $214 billion. Bezos has been rumored to be interested in purchasing an NFL team.
  • The 10 richest people, eight of whom are former or current tech executives, have collectively made $245 billion since the start of 2021. 

Ballmer may have his ownership of the Clippers to partially thank for reaching this latest milestone. A ProPublica investigation found that Ballmer’s 2018 tax rate of 12% was lower than the 14.1% rate paid by a concessions worker at the Staples Center where the Clippers pay.

Ballmer can deduct the $2 billion he paid for the team in 2014 from his taxable earnings over multiple years.

NFL, NBA, and MLB team values have grown over fivefold since 2000 — hitting respective averages of $2.6 billion, $1.9 billion, and $1.7 billion in 2019.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.

Featured Today

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy (86) catches a pass and carries the ball during the season final home football game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
August 15, 2025

How Middle Tennessee State Added $668,000 to Its NIL Budget

The Blue Raiders are creating a new blueprint for cutting costs.
Bridgewater American 12U Little League player Micah Poulter holds a District 7 pin during a send-off rally to the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, from Legion Field on Friday, August 2, 2024.
August 14, 2025

Inside the Little League World Series Pin Trade

The rare little collectibles fuel a frenzy in Williamsport each summer.
Mo Vaughn

How Michael Bloomberg Jump-Started Mo Vaughn’s Business Career

The Red Sox legend had a sprawling housing empire before starting a podcast.
Dundon
August 13, 2025

Hurricanes Owner Tom Dundon Has Deal to Buy Trail Blazers

The team was put up for sale in May.
Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) talk before a face-off against the Boston Bruins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena.
August 19, 2025

Fenway Sports Weighs Penguins Options Amid ‘Serious’ Suitor

FSG previously said it was exploring the sale of a minority stake.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
Bill Chisholm
August 12, 2025

Wyc Grousbeck Won’t Continue As Lead Celtics Governor After Sale

Two sources said that Grousbeck will keep the CEO title.
John Textor
August 11, 2025

Crystal Palace Loses Final Europa League Appeal After Ownership Snafu

The U.K. soccer club ran afoul of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
Tennessee Volunteers forward Igor Miličić Jr. (7) guards Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half of a game Sunday, March 30, 2025, during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA March Madness tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Houston defeated Tennessee 69-50.
August 8, 2025

Sportsbooks Still Hesitant to Dive Into Prediction Markets

Sports betting giants are all monitoring the controversial space.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8), and forward Jayson Tatum (0) and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
August 7, 2025

Celtics Sale Set to Close in Next Two Weeks

The $6.1B deal has taken longer to close than other recent franchise sales.