These five ownership groups control some of the world’s most iconic franchises, and their influence (and valuations) are only growing.
Sports empires today move like tech giants, centralizing operations to drive efficiency and maximize massive profits. Now, the world’s most valuable ownership groups are worth far more than $10 billion. They’ve amassed portfolios of teams in multiple sports, with some owning franchises overseas.
Boardroom breaks down the five most valuable sports empires in the latest Play by Play:
No. 5: Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.
One of billionaire James Dolan’s numerous companies owns the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and AHL Hartford Wolfpack. Despite having the second most valuable franchises in the NBA and NHL, according to Forbes, Dolan’s MSG Networks had to reduce rights payment fees to the Knicks and Rangers as part of a restructuring deal earlier this year to help offset the network’s $800 million in debt, keeping them further down the list than expected. Don’t feel too bad for him, though, as his Sphere Entertainment Co. is worth just over $2 billion.
No. 4: Fenway Sports Group
Led by John Henry and Tom Werner, FSG owns the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins, and a stake in the PGA Tour. The Penguins are reportedly for sale at a $1.8 billion valuation, which is double what FSG purchased the NHL team for in December 2021. Liverpool recently spent $500 million in the most recent summer transfer window as the Reds look to successfully defend their Premier League title won in May, their first domestic title since 2019-2020.
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No. 3: Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer owns the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Commanders, New Jersey Devils, and a stake in the Premier League’s Crystal Palace. The D.C. city council is set to vote this month to approve $2.7 billion in funding for a new stadium in the district for the Commanders, just six months after the Sixers and Comcast agreed to build a new Sixers arena in South Philadelphia. Crystal Palace won England’s FA Cup in May for the first major trophy in the club’s history, just months after the Commanders reached the NFC championship game for the first time since the 1991 season.
No. 2: Jerry Jones & Family
The Dallas Cowboys were recently valued by Forbes at a sports team record of $13 billion. For the Cowboys themselves to be valued more than the entirety of MSG Sports Corp is mind-boggling. Yet, while Jerry Jones has done a masterful job of building the value of his team and other businesses, like co-founding Legends Hospitality, which was valued at north of $1 billion in 2021, his antiquated management style recently cost the Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons. Dallas has famously not reached the NFC championship game in 30 years.
No. 1: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
The most valuable sports empire on earth is led by Stan Kroenke, whose group owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Rams, and Arsenal. That group blows its competitors out of the water, and will grow even more after recently purchasing land surrounding the Nuggets’ Ball Arena for an entertainment redevelopment project.
Will anyone come close to catching the Kroenkes?
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