Complete List of All NBA Owners and Franchise Values
As of the latest Forbes NBA valuations, the league has 30 teams owned by 30 principal ownership groups, with a median franchise value of 3.3 billion dollars and the most expensive team valued at 6.6 billion dollars. The Golden State Warriors, owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, hold the top valuation, followed by the New York Knicks under James Dolan and the Los Angeles Lakers controlled by the Jeanie Buss family trust. Each owner operates through a limited liability company or holding entity registered in states such as Delaware, California, or New York, and the NBA requires a majority owner vote to approve any sale or control change. For the full list of teams and owners, see the NBA official website. NBA Official Team Directory
The 2024 Forbes NBA team valuations show the average franchise worth at 3.84 billion dollars, a 13 percent increase from the previous year, with 24 teams now valued above 3 billion dollars. The Dallas Mavericks, owned by Miriam Adelson and the Adelson family through a revocable trust, were sold in late 2023 for 3.8 billion dollars, setting a record price per share. Other notable transactions include the Sacramento Kings, owned by Vivek Ranadivé, and the Atlanta Hawks, whose majority owner is Tony Ressler through Atlanta Hawks Holdings LLC. These valuations reflect revenue from league media deals, ticket sales, and arena concessions, and they are updated annually by Forbes based on financial filings and interviews. Forbes NBA Team Valuations 2024
Ownership Structures, Purchase Prices, and Control Entities
Most NBA teams are held by single-entity LLCs or holding companies that shield personal assets, and the NBA constitution requires a controlling owner with at least a 30 percent stake in the entity. Purchase prices over the past decade range from 1.5 billion dollars for the Memphis Grizzlies to 3.8 billion dollars for the Dallas Mavericks, with the New York Knicks sold in 2014 for 4 billion dollars in an enterprise valuation. The league also mandates a 24-hour cooling-off period after a controlling owner’s death or incapacity, and the NBA Board of Governors must approve any new ownership group. For details on league governance, see the NBA constitution and bylaws. NBA Constitution and Bylaws
Several ownership groups include family trusts, private equity firms, and investment funds, with the Los Angeles Clippers controlled by Steve Ballmer through Ballmer Group LLC and the Boston Celtics held by a group led by Wyc Grousbeck through Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Charlotte Hornets are majority owned by Michael Jordan through a holding company, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are owned by the Bennett family through Professional Basketball Club LLC. The NBA also requires disclosure of any changes in beneficial ownership exceeding five percent, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission when the team is structured as a publicly traded entity or holding company. SEC EDGAR Filings
Recent Ownership Changes and Notable Transactions
The most recent high-profile NBA ownership change was the sale of the Dallas Mavericks to a group led by Miriam Adelson and the Adelson family for a reported 3.8 billion dollars in late 2023, which required NBA Board of Governors approval. Other significant transactions include the Charlotte Hornets, where Michael Jordan remains the controlling