Top Longest-Tenured NFL Owners by Years of Ownership
The longest-tenured NFL owners are measured by continuous control of a franchise from the date of purchase to the present. The current record holder is Arthur Blank, who has owned the Atlanta Falcons since 2002. Other long-tenured owners include the Kraft family with the New England Patriots since 1994, the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment group with the Los Angeles Rams since 2010, and the Jones family with the Dallas Cowboys since 1989. These ownership tenures reflect decades of stability, franchise-building, and capital investment in NFL teams. For a broader view of NFL franchise values and ownership structures, see this Forbes NFL valuation overview Forbes NFL Valuations.
Arthur Blank's ownership of the Atlanta Falcons began after he purchased the team in 2002, making him the longest continuously serving owner among current NFL principals. Blank co-founded Home Depot and built his fortune through retail and sports investment, later expanding into Atlanta United of MLS. His tenure has included Super Bowl appearances, stadium renovations, and sustained competitive spending. The Falcons remain one of the NFL's most valuable franchises under his leadership, with Forbes regularly tracking the team's financial performance Forbes Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Ownership Records and Franchise Value Trends
NFL ownership records are shaped by purchase price, tenure length, and franchise value growth. The longest-tenured NFL owners have seen their teams appreciate dramatically, with the Dallas Cowboys consistently ranked as the most valuable sports franchise in the world. The Kraft family's investment in the Patriots has generated multiple Super Bowl titles and a global brand. The Kroenke organization's purchase of the Rams in 2010 preceded a move to Los Angeles and a new stadium, significantly increasing franchise value. These trends highlight how long-term ownership correlates with stadium deals, media rights, and league revenue sharing.
Franchise value data for the longest-tenured NFL owners is updated annually by Forbes and other financial trackers. The Dallas Cowboys, owned by the Jones family since 1989, are valued at over $10 billion, making them the most valuable NFL team. The New England Patriots, controlled by the Kraft family since 1994, are valued at over $7 billion. The Atlanta Falcons under Arthur Blank are valued at over $5 billion. The Los Angeles Rams under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment are valued at over $5 billion as well. These figures reflect stadium revenues, national TV deals, and the league's collective bargaining agreement. Detailed financial breakdowns are available on Forbes Dallas Cowboys Financials.
Ownership Structures and Family Control in the NFL
Many of the longest-tenured NFL owners operate through family trusts, holding companies, or sports and entertainment conglomerates. The Jones family controls the Dallas Cowboys through Dallas Cowboys LLC, with the franchise passing from Jerry Jones to his family. The Kraft family manages the New England Patriots through The Kraft Group, which also has interests in real estate, paper products, and other sports ventures. Arthur Blank uses AMB Group LLC to oversee the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. The Kroenke family operates through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Denver Nuggets and Arsenal FC. These structures allow long-term strategic planning, succession planning, and centralized decision-making across multiple franchises and venues.
Succession planning is a key concern for the longest-tenured NFL owners, especially as principals age or transition leadership roles. The Jones family has maintained operational control of the Cowboys with Jerry Jones at the helm, while the Kraft family has positioned Robert Kraft's son Jonathan Kraft for future leadership roles. Arthur