Every day, in various ways, the dominance of the NFL over other American sports in terms of popularity becomes increasingly evident. Forbes’ billionaire list is the latest testament to this fact.
Forbes recently unveiled its list of the world’s billionaires, totaling 2,781 individuals, with a notable representation from the sporting world. Among them, the NFL stands out prominently. The top eight billionaires listed by Forbes, primarily affiliated with the sports industry, are either current or former NFL team owners. In fact, NFL ownership holds 12 of the top 14 positions on the list.
Leading the pack is Stan Kroenke, with a staggering net worth of $16.2 billion. Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams, boasts ownership of the world’s most expensive stadium, the $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium. Additionally, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment owns teams across various sports leagues, including the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, follows closely behind with a net worth of $13.8 billion. Despite criticisms regarding the Cowboys’ performance, Jones has undeniably excelled in the business realm since purchasing the team for a mere $140 million in 1989.
The remaining top billionaires in the sporting world, all with ties to the NFL, include Robert Kraft (New England Patriots), Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons), Stephen Bisciotti (Baltimore Ravens), Gayle Benson (New Orleans Saints), Denise York and family (San Francisco 49ers), and Janice McNair (formerly of the Houston Texans). Breaking the NFL’s streak at number nine is John Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox.
Among other notable NFL figures on the billionaire list is Daniel Snyder, former owner of the Washington Commanders, who ranks 13th overall among sports figures. Despite controversy surrounding his tenure, Snyder’s recent sale of the Commanders for $6.05 billion contributed to his $4.4 billion net worth. The list also includes Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Further down the list, notable NFL owners such as Mark Davis (Las Vegas Raiders), Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans), and the Glazer and Hunt families (Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively) are mentioned. Current athletes Tiger Woods and LeBron James also feature on the list, highlighting the widespread financial success associated with the NFL.
The NFL’s unparalleled dominance in television ratings, overall public interest, and revenue underscores the increasing value of NFL teams, making them highly coveted assets in the rare instances they become available for sale.