Thursday, July 9, 2026

Team Owner Wealth Grows 30% During COVID

  • The pandemic created financial uncertainty for many, but for billionaire owners, pockets deepened.
  • Owners benefited from taxpayers and business ventures outside of sports.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Since March of last year, 64 owners across all four major sports leagues have seen their combined net worths increase from $325 billion to $426 billion.

The news comes after a collaborative study by the Institute for Policy Studies and Americans for Tax Fairness that tracked the net worth of team owners from March 18, 2020 to Jan. 29, 2021.

Owners of both of this year’s Super Bowl teams were mentioned in the report.

  • The Glazer family, who own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, were listed with a net worth of $1.7 billion.
  • The Hunt family, who own the Kansas City Chiefs, were listed with a net worth of $6.3 billion — a $483 million increase in the past 10 months.

The Glazer family owns business real estate company First Allied Corporation, as well as Premier League giant Manchester United. The Hunt family is involved in the oil and gas business as well as a number of other professional sports teams in more minor capacities.

The financial outlook for leagues themselves is less optimistic.

The NFL could lose as much as $4 billion after the conclusion of this season, per The Wall Street Journal. Last season, the NBA missed its revenue projections by $1.5 billion.

Beyond team owners, results from a separate economic study in December were similar.

Globally, billionaires’ collective net worths reportedly increased by $3.9 trillion in the final nine months of 2020.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Asset Class Newsletter

Get the latest in sports finance, investment, and transaction activity, straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard Trade on Hold Until NBA Wraps Investigation

The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard from the Clippers in June.

Bears’ Indiana Stadium Plans in ‘Red Zone,’ Governor Says

The NFL team is drawing closer to a long-awaited stadium decision.
Dec 16, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during press conference at the Emirates NBA Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NBA Expansion Heats Up in Vegas, Slows in Seattle

Multiple potential bidders have expressed interest in Vegas in recent weeks.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.

Two Bidders Pull Ahead in Seahawks Sale Process

One of the two groups includes at least one former Seahawks player.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Record Betting on USMNT Loss, U.S. Soccer Splits Payout, Potential LIV Golf Layoffs, Bieber headlines World Cup halftime

0:00

Featured Today

Pillow Fight Championship

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2026 France's Moise Kouame reacts during his second round match against Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Lawyers Explain Odd Case of Moïse Kouamé’s French Open Prize Money

Kouamé has secured nearly $220,000 by advancing to Round 3 in Paris.
Sep 25, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics lead owner and governor Bill Chisholm speaks during a press conference at Auerbach Center.
October 22, 2025

The NBA’s Expanding Private-Equity Footprint

There is a PE connection of some kind for 20 of 30 teams.
Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Can Travis Kelce Save Six Flags?

The NFL star joined an activist investor in pushing for change.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.
October 21, 2025

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
Jason Belzer
October 17, 2025

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Jon Ledecky
October 17, 2025

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.