Top Richest NFL Owners by Net Worth
The Forbes real-time NFL team valuations show the league's wealthiest owners controlling franchises valued above five billion dollars, with several billionaires holding stakes in multiple major sports and entertainment properties. The list is led by owners whose personal fortunes stem from technology, energy, finance, and private equity, with each ranking tied to publicly available Forbes data on NFL franchise values and individual net worth estimates. The latest Forbes NFL team valuations page provides updated figures for every franchise and its controlling owner.
Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris holds the top spot with a net worth exceeding ten billion dollars, built from private equity and investment banking, while Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains among the richest with a franchise valued above ten billion dollars and a personal fortune tied to oil and gas. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson also appear near the top, with Kraft's wealth rooted in packaging and private equity and Johnson's in finance and real estate, according to Forbes NFL valuations and individual net worth profiles.
NFL Team Valuations and Ownership Structures
Forbes NFL team valuations reveal that the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and New York Giants consistently rank among the most valuable franchises, with each team's value driven by stadium deals, media rights, and brand strength. The ownership structures range from single-owner control to family trusts and investment groups, with recent transactions involving billion-dollar sales and minority stake purchases that reshape the league's wealth landscape.
Recent Sales and Transactions
The Washington Commanders sale to Josh Harris set a record price for an NFL team, while the Denver Broncos transaction involving the Walton-Penner group and the New York Giants sale to a group led by Steve Cohen highlight the league's rapidly appreciating franchise values. These deals are tracked by Forbes and SEC filings, which document purchase prices, financing structures, and ownership percentages for each team.
Business Empires Behind the Richest Owners
Many of the richest NFL owners operate major companies outside football, with investments spanning technology, energy, finance, real estate, and entertainment, and some own stakes in other professional sports franchises and media ventures. Their business empires are documented in Forbes profiles, SEC filings for publicly traded companies, and company websites that detail holdings, revenue streams, and investment strategies.
Technology and Energy Sectors
Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris co-founded Apollo Global Management, a major investment firm, while Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones built his fortune in oil and gas through Jones Enterprises, and other owners hold significant stakes in technology and energy companies. These business interests are often tied to NFL ownership through family offices, investment vehicles, and direct equity positions reported in SEC filings and Forbes profiles.
Diversified Holdings and Sports Investments
Several owners control stakes in NBA, MLB, and Premier League teams, as well as media companies, private equity funds, and real estate portfolios, with Forbes and company websites providing details on these diversified holdings. The intersection of NFL ownership and broader business empires underscores the league's position at the center of American sports finance and corporate investment.