Billionaires Reshaping Sports Ownership in 2025

Owning a professional sports team is a privilege that few can attain. Former President Donald Trump understands this exclusivity firsthand, having unsuccessfully attempted to acquire an NFL team twice, in the 1980s and then again in 2014.

Beyond the prestige, sports team ownership is appealing due to enduring live viewership in an age of digital streaming, making lucrative TV agreements a frequent occurrence. Consequently, when sports franchises become available, they often set new financial records for sales.

Notable Buyers of 2025

This year has seen several billionaires making notable purchases across major leagues.

Mark Walter

Heading Guggenheim Partners, Mark Walter has reportedly set a record by agreeing to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion, adding to his portfolio, which already includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Formula One team, and the WNBA's Sparks. Walter's financial worth is valued at $6.2 billion by Forbes.

Bill Chisholm

Bill Chisholm, native to Boston and a Silicon Valley veteran, along with an investment group, acquired the Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion earlier this March. This purchase marked the highest for a sports franchise in North America until Walter's Lakers acquisition. Nevertheless, official NBA approval is pending for Chisholm, whose net worth stands at $3.2 billion.

Marc Lore

Wonder CEO Marc Lore, alongside MLB legend Alex Rodriguez, completed the long-discussed purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA's Minnesota Lynx for $1.5 billion. Despite contentious negotiations with former owner Glen Taylor, a favorable arbitration decision ensured the deal’s completion by June. Lore's estimated net worth is $2.9 billion.

Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson, owner of the Jets and heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, invested $254 million for a 43% stake in the English Premier League's Crystal Palace. His acquisition, sourced from John Textor, still awaits league ratification. Johnson's wealth is recorded at $3.4 billion.

Tom Gores

In another significant move, Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons, joins a group of backers for a new WNBA team in Detroit. Each investor contributed a record $250 million for the expansion fee, reflective of the WNBA’s burgeoning popularity. Gores’ fortune totals $9.4 billion.

Josh Harris

A founder of Apollo Global Management, Josh Harris has expanded his sports empire by co-owning a new Philadelphia WNBA team. Apart from the 76ers and the Devils, he led a record purchase of the Washington Commanders in 2023. His financial worth, according to Forbes, sits at $10.2 billion.

Dan Gilbert

Shaping Cleveland's sports scene further, Dan Gilbert, known for his early run-ins with LeBron James, has committed to a new WNBA team in Cleveland. Gilbert's financial success ties to Quicken Loans and StockX, contributing to his $25.9 billion net worth.

Prominent Sellers

The year also highlights significant sales among existing franchise owners.

Jeanie Buss

Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' overseer, is finalizing a high-profile $10 billion sale to Mark Walter, maintaining her role as the team's governor post-sale. The Buss legacy includes transforming the Lakers, bought by her father in 1979, into a $7.1 billion franchise.

Wyc Grousbeck

Co-owner of the Celtics, Wyc Grousbeck, concluded a $6.1 billion transaction with Bill Chisholm. Under the Grousbeck era, the Celtics secured two additional NBA titles, making their mark with 18 championships in total.

Glen Taylor

Glen Taylor exits the Timberwolves ownership with a $1.5 billion sale to Marc Lore's group, culminating his stewardship that began in 1994. His business acumen is highlighted by delaying the franchise's relocation and his stakes consolidated by 2021.

Paul Allen's Estate

The Trailblazers enter the market as Paul Allen's estate strategizes the team's transfer, overseen by his sister Jody since his passing. Allen's wealth was recognized at $20.3 billion in 2018.

Future Potential: Justin Ishbia

Positioning for future MLB ownership, Justin Ishbia has financial arrangements set with the Chicago White Sox, potentially effective by 2029. Alongside existing affiliations with the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Ishbia’s wealth is appraised at $4.3 billion.

Possible Sale by Jerry Reinsdorf

Veteran sports owner Jerry Reinsdorf might transition the Chicago White Sox's control to Justin Ishbia by 2029, expanding on a storied tenure with the Bulls and White Sox, further characterized by a pivotal purchase in the aftermath of Michael Jordan's drafting. Reinsdorf's net worth reaches $2.3 billion.