• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

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

Utah Hockey Club Debuting to Major Buzz

It’s been a wild ride for Salt Lake City’s new NHL franchise.

Soccer’s U.S. Boom: MLS and NWSL Break Attendance Records

Both Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League have set attendance records.

Vandy Trying to Cash In on Upset

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is looking for new NIL deals.

NFL’s Longest Day Could Become New Norm

A London game and prime-time weather delay resulted in a new record.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

FIFA Business Model Threatened; Inside IRONMAN Racing

0:00

Featured Today

A DraftKings sign

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
opinion
October 6, 2024

Where Is the Dang Game? Fragmentation Has Hit Fever Pitch

A correction is coming in the increasingly confusing landscape of live sports.
October 5, 2024

MLB Gets the Shohei Ohtani Postseason Treatment. The Value Is Immense

The Japanese superstar finally makes his playoff debut Saturday.
The Cal mascot, Oski
October 2, 2024

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.

New York First: Yankees and MSG Go All In on Live Sports Streaming Pact

The YES Network and MSG Networks will offer their content in a combined streaming app.
August 26, 2024

NFL Ready to Break New Ground With Historic Private Equity Investment

The league is poised to make official a long-awaited embrace of private equity.
August 28, 2024

ESPN’s Pitaro: RSN Turmoil An Opportunity to Expand Local Game Coverage

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro highlights a fast-developing regional content strategy.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 19, 2024

NFL Private Equity Could Be Approved Before Season

No minority franchise stake sales have been publicly announced this year.
August 14, 2024

Rob Manfred’s Decade As MLB Commissioner, and What Comes Next

Manfred has presided over a period of change in MLB.
August 8, 2024

Mets Business President: MLB Has Not Marketed Its Stars Enough

Scott Havens says there are only two “faces of baseball.”
April 5, 2024

‘Baseless Corporate Conspiracy’: Hedge Fund Heats Up Feud Between NBA Owners

The Mat Ishbia–Dan Gilbert feud has exploded into view this week.