• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 2, 2025

Steve Ballmer Retains Title as Richest U.S. Sports Owner

  • Steve Ballmer, the richest U.S. sports owner, is doubling down on Los Angeles.
  • Rob Walton took second place after buying the Denver Broncos.
Steve-Ballmer
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Ballmer is ready to welcome both the Olympics and the World Cup to his adopted city soon, but in the meantime he’s making the most of owning the Los Angeles Clippers.

Forbes has once again ranked Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, as America’s richest sports owner for the eighth consecutive year. His net worth is an estimated $83 billion.

  • Newcomer Rob Walton ($56.7 billion) took second after his purchase of the Denver Broncos.
  • Four different sports round out the top five: David Tepper ($18.5 billion) owns the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, Robert Pera ($17.6 billion) owns the Memphis Grizzlies, and Steve Cohen ($17.5 billion) owns the New York Mets. 
  • Cleveland Cavaliers owner and Quicken Loans founder Daniel Gilbert ($17.3 billion) landed at No. 6 despite losing 44% of his wealth.
  • Jerry Jones made the biggest one-year jump, 75.8%, to $16 billion. His $8 billion Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL team.

Ballmer told Front Office Sports that even with the explosive growth in value across sports, he intends to remain focused on basketball.

Over the past four years, he successfully led an effort to renovate all 350 public basketball courts in L.A. after a $10 million donation to the city’s parks foundation.

Jump Ballmer

“I had a love for L.A. before I spent time here, and since I’ve been involved with the Clippers, I just like it more and more every year,” Ballmer told FOS. “If you’re going to be participants in the city like we are, we’re going to go all in.”

The Clippers are moving from Crypto.com Arena to the $2 billion Intuit Dome, opening in 2024.

The venue could be a host site for the Olympic Games in 2028. The Forum, which Ballmer bought for $400 million in 2020, is reportedly set to host gymnastics.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After ‘Mario Kart’–Style Mayhem

The Red Bull driver received penalty points in Sunday’s race.

As TNT NBA Era Ends, Charles Barkley Calls ESPN Move an ‘Honor’

TNT’s final NBA game was Pacers–Knicks on Saturday night.

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
March 13, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.
April 14, 2025

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after the final round of golf during the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Sunday, November 19, 2023.
December 2, 2024

LPGA Commissioner Leaving After Brief Up-and-Down Tenure

Mollie Marcoux Samaan was hired in 2021.