List of professional sports team owners

This is a list of individuals, groups of individuals, and companies who have owned and operated a professional sports organization. The list is organized first by sport, then by franchise or team, then by owner. If an organization has gone through a significant change (e.g. the team has moved and/or changed names), that information is noted after the years of ownership.

Association football club owners

England

Premier League owners

Arsenal

• Stan Kroenke

Aston Villa

• Owned by a large number of shareholders until 1968. Since that time:
• Doug Ellis (largest single shareholder 1968–1975; majority shareholder 1982–2006)
• Randy Lerner (2006–2016)
• Recon Sports Limited (2016–2019)
• NSWE Group (a company owned by Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris) (2019–Present)

Chelsea

• Roman Abramovich

Everton

• Farhad Moshiri

Liverpool

• Moores family, among them John Moores and David Moores (1930s-2007)
• George Gillett, Tom Hicks (2007–2010)
• Fenway Sports Group (2010–present); LeBron James acquired a minority interest in April 2011

Manchester City

• Manchester City Limited — The club's holding company; owned by a large number of shareholders until 2007 (see Ownership of Manchester City F.C.). Since then, the holding company has been owned by:
  • Thaksin Shinawatra (2007–2008)
  • Abu Dhabi United Group (2008–present)

Manchester United

• Manchester United plc (NYSE : MANU) – The club's holding company, owned by shareholders. The primary owner is:
• Avram and Joel Glazer (brothers who are co-chairmen, 2014–present)

Newcastle United

• Mike Ashley

Tottenham Hotspur

• Daniel Levy

West Ham United

• Terry Brown (??–2006)
• Björgólfur Guðmundsson (90%), Eggert Magnússon (5%), and other minority investors (2006–2007)
• Björgólfur Guðmundsson (2007–2009)
• CB Holding (formerly 70% owned by Straumur Investment Bank and 30% owned by Byr and MP banks; now nationalised by the Icelandic government) (100% 2009–2010; no more than 50% 2010–present)
• David Gold and David Sullivan (50% and operational control, 2010–present)

EFL Championship owners

Fulham

• Shahid Khan

Middlesbrough

• Steve Gibson (1986–1993 as head of consortium; 1993–present as majority owner)

Reading

• John Madejski

Wigan Athletic

• Dave Whelan

EFL League One owners

Sunderland

• Drumaville Consortium (2006–2009)
• Ellis Short (2009–present)

Italian Serie A owners

Spain

La Liga owners

Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Barcelona and Real Madrid: these four clubs are not organised as limited companies, but remain as registered associations due to a grandfather clause of the late 1980s. Unlike a limited company, it is not possible to purchase shares in these club, but only membership. Each club member (socio) has a vote to elect democratically the club president and board of directors. The club president cannot invest his own money into the club and the club can only spend what it earns, which is mainly derived through merchandise sales, television rights and ticket sales. This means that each club is owned by its own registered supporters. FC Barcelona has over 150.000 socios, Real Madrid counts over 100.000 socios, Athletic Club over 40.000 and Osasuna over 15.000.

Atlético Madrid: major shareholders are the Gil Marin family which owns 50% of the shares, these used to belong to former club president Jesús Gil y Gil; israeli businessman Idan Ofer, 33%; current president Enrique Cerezo 10% and the chinese Wanda Group a 2%.

Eibar: more than 11.130 shareholders located across 65 countries due to a crowdfunding campaign in 2014. There is no major shareholder with an owenership over 5%.

Real Sociedad: Due to club's statutes no shareholder has vote rights over 2% of the shares.

France

Ligue 1 owners

Bordeaux

• Groupe M6

Guingamp

• Noël Le Graët

Lille

• Gérard Lopez

Lorient

• Loïc Féry

Lyon

• Jean-Michel Aulas

Marseille

• Frank McCourt

Monaco

• Dmitry Rybolovlev

Montpellier

• Louis Nicollin

Paris Saint-Germain

• Qatar Investment Authority

Nantes

• Waldemar Kita

Rennes

• François Pinault

Toulouse

• Olivier Sadran

USA / Canada

Major League Soccer (MLS) owners

Austin FC

• Anthony Precourt (Precourt Sports Ventures) – (2018–present)

Atlanta United FC

• Arthur Blank – (2014–present)

Chicago Fire FC

• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (1997–2007)
• Andrew Hauptman (Andell Holdings) – (2007–present)

Colorado Rapids

• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (1995–2003)
• Kroenke Sports & Entertainment – (2003–present)

Columbus Crew SC

• Lamar Hunt – (1995–2006)
• Clark Hunt – (2006–2013)
• Anthony Precourt (Precourt Sports Ventures LLC) – (2013–2018)
• Dee Haslam, Jimmy Haslam, JW and Whitney Johnson, Dr. Pete Edwards – (2019–present)

D.C. United

• Washington Soccer, LP – (1995–2000)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (2001–2006)
• William Chang (D.C. United Holdings) – (2006–2012)
• William Chang, Erick Thohir and Jason Levien – (2012–present)

FC Cincinnati

• Carl Lindner III – (2018–present)

FC Dallas

• Major League Soccer – (1995–2001) (Source)
• Lamar Hunt – (2001–2006)
• Clark Hunt – (2006–present)

Houston Dynamo FC

• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (2005–2008)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group, Oscar De La Hoya and Gabriel Brener – (2008–2015)
• Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein, Ben Guill (2015–present)
  • James Harden joined this group in 2019.

Inter Miami CF

• David Beckham, Simon Fuller, Marcelo Claure, Jorge and José Mas, Masayoshi Son – (2014–present)

Los Angeles FC

• Peter Guber (Executive Chairman), Henry Nguyen, Tom Penn, Ruben Gnanalingam, Vincent Tan, Brandon Beck, Larry Berg, Will Ferrell, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm, Chad Hurley, Magic Johnson, Tucker Kain, Kirk Lacob, Mark Leschly, Mike Mahan, Irwin Raij, Tony Robbins, Lon Rosen, Bennett Rosenthal, Paul Schaeffer, Brandon Schneider, Mark Shapiro, Allen Shapiro, Jason Sugarman, Harry Tsao – (2014–present)

LA Galaxy

• L.A. Soccer Partners, LP – (1995–1997)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (1998–present)

Minnesota United FC

• Bill McGuire, Jim Pohlad, Robert Pohlad, Glen Taylor, Wendy Carlson Nelson – (2015–present)

CF Montréal

• Joey Saputo – (2010–present)

Nashville SC

• John Ingram, Mark Wilf, Zygi Wilf, Leonard Wilf, David Dill, Marcus Whitney, Christopher Redhage – (2017–present)

New England Revolution

• Robert Kraft – (1995–present)

New York City FC

• City Football Group (majority) & Yankee Global Enterprises (minority) – (2013–present)

New York Red Bulls

• John Kluge and Stuart Subotnick – (1995–01)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (2001–06)
• Red Bull GmbH – (2006–present)

Orlando City SC

• Flávio Augusto da Silva – (2013–present)

Philadelphia Union

• Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC – (2008–present)
  • Kevin Durant joined the ownership group as a minority investor in 2020.

Portland Timbers

• Merritt Paulson – (2009–present)

Real Salt Lake

• Dave Checketts (SCP Worldwide) – (2004–12)
• Dell Loy Hansen – (2012–present; put team up for sale in 2020)

San Jose Earthquakes

• Major League Soccer – (1996–1998)
• Robert Kraft – (1999–2000)
• Silicon Valley Sports Entertainment – (2001–2002)
• Silicon Valley Sports Entertainment and Anschutz Entertainment Group – (2002–2003)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group – (2003–2005)
• Lewis Wolff and John J. Fisher (Earthquakes Soccer, LLC) – (2007–present)

Seattle Sounders FC

• Joe Roth (majority), Adrian Hanauer, Estate of Paul Allen and Drew Carey (minority) – (2007–2019)
• Hanauer Fútbol (Adrian Hanauer, Paul Barry, Lenore Hanauer—majority); estate of Paul Allen; Drew Carey; and a group of 11 families, among them Terry Myerson, Macklemore, and Russell Wilson and Ciara – (2019–present)

Sporting Kansas City

• Lamar Hunt – (1995–2006)
• Sporting Club – (2006–present)
  (OnGoal, LLC from 2006–2010)

Toronto FC

• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment – (2006–present)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, Steve Nash – (2009–present)

Future MLS owners

Charlotte FC

• David Tepper — (2019–present)

Sacramento Republic FC

• Kevin Nagle and Ronald Burkle – (2019–present)

St. Louis City SC

• Carolyn Kindle Betz, Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, Jim Kavanaugh – (2019–present)

National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) owners

Angel City FC (starts play in 2022)

• Lead investors: Kara Nortman, Alexis Ohanian, Natalie Portman, Julie Uhrman
• Other investors: Uzo Aduba, Becky G, Shannon Boxx, Sophia Bush, Jessica Chastain, James Corden, Amanda Cromwell, Deirdre DeLany, Lorrie Fair, Ronnie Fair, Joy Fawcett, America Ferrera, Julie Foudy, Jennifer Garner, Lauren Holiday, Mia Hamm, Angela Hucles, Cobi Jones, Ryan Kalil, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Eva Longoria, Shannon MacMillan, Casey Neistat, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Candace Parker, Lilly Singh, P. K. Subban, Rachel Van Hollebeke, Tisha Venturini, Lindsey Vonn, Abby Wambach, Saskia Webber, Lailaa Williams, Serena Williams (2020–present)^[1][2]

Chicago Red Stars

• Arnim Whisler (2012–present)^[3]

Houston Dash

• Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein, Ben Guill (2015–present)^[4]
  • James Harden joined this group in 2019.

Kansas City

• Lead investors: Angie and Chris Long; other minority investors including Jen Gulvik and Brittany Matthews (2020–present; starts play in 2021)^[5]

North Carolina Courage

• Stephen Malik (2017–present)^[6]

OL Reign

• Bill and Teresa Predmore (2012–2019)
• Bill and Teresa Predmore (majority), The Baseball Club of Tacoma LLC, Adrian Hanauer, Lenore Hanauer (minority) (2019–January 2020)
• OL Groupe (89.5%), Bill and Teresa Predmore (7.5%), Tony Parker (3%) (January 2020–present)

Orlando Pride

• Flávio Augusto da Silva (majority) and Phil Rawlins (minority) (2015–2018)
• Flávio Augusto da Silva (majority), Phil Rawlins (minority), Albert Friedberg minority (2018–present)^[7]

Portland Thorns FC

• Merritt Paulson (2012–present)^[8]

Racing Louisville FC

• Soccer Holdings, LLC (2019–present)

Sky Blue FC

• Phil Murphy (majority), Steven Temares, Thomas Hofstetter (2012–present)^[9]

Washington Spirit

• Bill Lynch (2012–2018)^[10]
• Steve Baldwin (majority) and Bill Lynch (minority) (2018–present)^[11]

Greek Superleague owners

Olympiacos

• Evangelos Marinakis

Panathinaikos

• Giannis Alafouzos

PAOK

• Ivan Savvidis

AEK Athens

• Dimitris Melissanidis

Skoda Xanthi

• Christos Panopoulos

Auto racing owners & team principals

Formula One team principals

(Listed by Constructor)

Ferrari

• Ferrari S.p.A.

Haas F1 Team

• Gene Haas

McLaren

• McLaren Group – Mumtalakat Holding Company 57%, Mansour Ojjeh 14%, Michael Latifi 10%

Mercedes Grand Prix

• Daimler AG 33%
• Toto Wolff 33%
• Ineos 33%

Racing Point F1 Team

• Lawrence Stroll

Red Bull Racing

• Red Bull GmbH

Scuderia AlphaTauri

• Red Bull GmbH

Sauber

• Peter Sauber 66%
• Monisha Kaltenborn 33%

Williams Grand Prix Engineering

• Dorilton Capital 100%

IndyCar Series team owners

A.J. Foyt Enterprises

• A. J. Foyt – (1973–present)

Andretti Autosport

• Michael Andretti – (2001–present)
• Barry Green – (1995–2010)

Arrow McLaren SP

• Sam Schmidt – (2001–present)
• Davey Hamilton – (2011–2016)
• Ric Peterson – (2013–present)

Bryan Herta Autosport

• Bryan Herta – (2009–present)

Carlin Motorsport

• Trevor Carlin – (2018–present)

Chip Ganassi Racing

• Chip Ganassi – (1989–present)

Dale Coyne Racing

• Dale Coyne – (1986–present)

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

• Dennis Reinbold – (2000–present)
• Robbie Buhl – (2000–present)

Ed Carpenter Racing

• Ed Carpenter – (2012–present)

Juncos Racing

• Ricardo Juncos – (2017–present)

Michael Shank Racing

• Michael Shank – (2018–present)

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

• Bobby Rahal – (1991–present)
• David Letterman – (1996–present)
• Mike Lanigan – (2010–present)
• Carl Hogan – (1991–1996)

Team Penske

• Roger Penske – (1968–present)

NASCAR Cup Series team owners

23XI Racing

• Michael Jordan – (2021–present)
• Denny Hamlin – (2021–present)

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

• Teresa Earnhardt – (2009–2014)
• Felix Sabates – (1988–present)
• Chip Ganassi – (2001–present)

Gaunt Brothers Racing

• Marty Gaunt - (2017–present)
• Maurice Gaunt - (2017–present)

Front Row Motorsports

• Bob Jenkins – (2005–present)

Hendrick Motorsports

• Rick Hendrick – (1984–present)

Joe Gibbs Racing

• J.D. Gibbs - (1992-2019)
• Joe Gibbs – (1992–present)

JTG Daugherty Racing

• Brad Daugherty – (2007–present)
• Jodi Geschickter - (1995–present)
• Tad Geschickter – (1995–present)

Premium Motorsports

• Jay Robinson - (2000–present)

Penske Racing

• Roger Penske – (1972–present)

Richard Childress Racing

• Richard Childress – (1969–present)

Richard Petty Motorsports

• Boston Ventures (minority interests) – (2009–2010)
• Richard Petty (minority interests) – (2009–present)
• Andrew M. Murstein (main interests) – (2010–present)

Roush Fenway Racing

• Jack Roush – (1988–2007)
• Jack Roush (50%) – (2007–present)
• Fenway Sports Group (50%) – (2007–present)

Spire Motorsports

• Spire Sports + Entertainment – (2019–present)

StarCom Racing

• Derrike Cope - (2017–present)
• Matthew Kohler - (2017–present)
• Michael Kohler - (2017–present)
• William Woehlemann - (2017–present)

Stewart Haas Racing

• Gene Haas - (2002–present)
• Tony Stewart – (2009–present)

Trackhouse Racing Team

• Justin Marks – (2021–present)
• Armando Christian Pérez – (2021–present)

Wood Brothers Racing

• Glen Wood and Leonard Wood – (1953–2019)
• Leonard Wood – (2019–present)

Baseball franchise owners

Major League Baseball owners

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Jerry Colangelo – (1998–2005)
• Ken Kendrick – (2005-present)

Atlanta Braves

• Ivers Whitney Adams – (1870–1872): Boston Red Stockings
• John Conkey – (1872–1873): Red Stockings
• Charles Porter – (1873–1874): Red Stockings
• Nicholas Apollonio – (1875–1876): Red Stockings
• Arthur Soden – (1876–1909): Boston Red Caps/Beaneaters
• George & John Dovey – (1907–1909): Boston Beaneaters/Doves
• John Dovey – (1909–1910): Doves
• William Hepburn Russell – (1911): Boston Rustlers
• James Gaffney – (1912–1915): Boston Braves
• Percy Haughton – (1915–1918)
• George W. Grant – (1919–1922)
• Emil Fuchs – (1922–1935)
• Bob Quinn – (1935–1945)
• Lou Perini – (1945–1962): Boston/Milwaukee Braves
• William Bartholomay – (1962–1976): Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves
• Ted Turner – (1976–1996)
• Time Warner – (1996–2007)
• Liberty Media – (2007-present)

Baltimore Orioles

• Henry Killilea – (1901–1902) Milwaukee Brewers
• Robert Hedges – (1902–1915) St. Louis Browns
• Phil Ball – (1915–1933)
• Donald Lee Barnes – (1936–1945)
• Richard Muckerman – (1945–1948)
• Bill DeWitt – (1948–1951)
• Bill Veeck – (1951–1953)
• Jerold Hoffberger & Clarence Miles – (1954–1955) Baltimore Orioles
• Jerold Hoffberger & James Keelty – (1955–1959)
• Jerold Hoffberger & Joe Iglehart – (1959–1965)
• Jerold Hoffberger – (1965–1979)
• Edward Bennett Williams – (1979–1988)
• Eli Jacobs – (1989–1993)
• Peter Angelos – (1993-present)

Boston Red Sox

• Charles Somers – (1901–1903)
• Henry Killilea – (1903–1904)
• John I. Taylor – (1904–1914)
• Jimmy McAleer – (1911–1913)
• Joseph Lannin – (1913–1916)
• Harry Frazee – (1916–1923)
• Bob Quinn – (1923–1933)
• Tom Yawkey – (1933–1976)
• Jean R. Yawkey – (1976–1992)
• JRY Trust – (1992–2002)
• Fenway Sports Group (formerly New England Sports Ventures) (John Henry, Tom Werner, and other investors, including The New York Times Company) – (2002-Present)

Chicago Cubs

• William A. Hulbert – (1876–1882)
• Albert G. Spalding – (1882–1902)
• James Hart – (1902–1905)
• Charles W. Murphy – (1905–1914)
• Charles Phelps Taft – (1914–1916)
• Charles Weeghman – (1916–1921)
• The Wrigley family – (1921–1981)
  • William Wrigley, Jr. – (1921–1932)
  • Philip K. Wrigley – (1932–1977)
  • William Wrigley III – (1977–1981)
• Tribune Company – (1981-2009)
• Joe Ricketts family trust, with Tom Ricketts exercising day-to-day control (2009–present)

Chicago White Sox

• Charles Comiskey – (1900–1931)
• J. Louis Comiskey – (1931–1940)
• Grace Comiskey – (1940–1956)
• Dorothy Comiskey Rigney & Chuck Comiskey – (1956–1958)
• Bill Veeck – (1958–1961)
• Arthur Allyn, Jr. & John Allyn – (1961–1969)
• John Allyn – (1969–1975)
• Bill Veeck – (1975–1981)
• Aaron Cushman – (1975–1981) *^[12]
• Jerry Reinsdorf – (1981–present)

Cincinnati Reds

• Justus Thorner – (1882–1890)
• John T. Brush – (1890–1902)
• August Herrmann – (1902–1927)
• C. J. McDiarmid – (1927–1929)
• Sidney Weil – (1929–1933)
• Powel Crosley, Jr. – (1933–1961)
• Bill DeWitt – (1961–1967)
• Francis L. Dale – (1967–1973)
• Louis Nippert – (1973–1980)
• William & James Williams – (1980–1984)
• Marge Schott – (1984–1998)
• Carl Lindner, Jr. – (1998–2006)
• Robert Castellini – (2006-present)

Cleveland Indians

• Charles Somers – (1901–1916)
• Jim Dunn – (1916–1922)
• Alva Bradley – (1927–1946)
• Bill Veeck – (1946–1949)
• Ellis Ryan – (1949–1952)
• Myron H. Wilson – (1952–1956)
• William R. Daley – (1956–1962)
• Gabe Paul – (1962–1966)
• Vernon Stouffer – (1966–1972)
• Nick Mileti – (1972–1975)
• Ted Bonda – (1972–1978)
• Steve O'Neill – (1978–1983)
• Richard Jacobs – (1986–1999)
• Larry Dolan – (1999-present)

Colorado Rockies

• Jerry McMorris – (1993–2005)
• Monfort brothers – (2005-Present)

Detroit Tigers

• George Vanderbeck – (1894–1900)
• James D. Burns – (1901–1902)
• Samuel F. Angus – (1902–1903)
• Bill Yawkey – (1903–1908)
• Bill Yawkey & Frank Navin – (1908–1919)
• Frank Navin – (1919–1935)
• The Briggs Family (1935–56)
  • Walter Sr. – (1935–1952)
  • Walter Jr. – (1952–1956)
• Fred Knorr & John Fetzer – (1956–1961)
• John Fetzer – (1961–1983)
• Tom Monaghan – (1983–1992)
• Ilitch Holdings – (1992-Present)
  • Mike (1992-2017)
  • Christopher (2017–present)

Houston Astros

• Roy Hofheinz – (1962–1975)
• General Electric & Ford Motor Company – (1975–1979)
• John McMullen – (1979–1993)
• Drayton McLane, Jr. – (1992-2011)
• Jim Crane – (2011-Present)

Kansas City Royals

• Ewing Kauffman – (1969–1993)
• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (1993–2000)
• David Glass – (2000–2019)
• John Sherman – (2019–present); Patrick Mahomes became a minority partner in 2020.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• Gene Autry – (1961 – 1996)
• The Walt Disney Company – (1996 – 2003)
• Arturo Moreno – (2003-Present)

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Charles Byrne, Ferdinand Abell – (1883–1890)
• Charles Byrne, Ferdinand Abell, George Chauncey – (1891–1897)
• Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell – (1897–1898)
• Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Harry Von der Horst, Ned Hanlon – (1899–1904)
• Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Henry Medicus, Ned Hanlon – (1905–1906)
• Charles Ebbets, Henry Medicus – (1907–1912)
• Charles Ebbets, Ed McKeever, Stephen McKeever – (1912–1925)
• Stephen McKeever, heirs of Charles Ebbets and Brooklyn Trust Company – (1925–45)
• Branch Rickey [1], Walter O'Malley, Andrew J. Schmitz. [2] Other minority owners included: John A. Smith, and the heirs of Steve McKeever – (1945–1950)
• Walter O'Malley – (1950–1970), majority owner, at 75 percent, with the Mulvey family representing the McKeever interest
• Peter O'Malley – (1970–1997)
• News Corporation – (1998–2005)
• Frank McCourt – (2005–2012)
• Guggenheim Baseball Partners – (2012–present) – principal partner Mark Walter; minority partners Magic Johnson, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly.^[13]

Miami Marlins

• Wayne Huizenga – (1993–1998; Florida Marlins)
• John W. Henry – (1998–2002)
• Jeffrey Loria – (2002–2017; Florida/Miami Marlins)
• Bruce Sherman – principal partner; Derek Jeter – non-controlling (2017-present)

Milwaukee Brewers

• William Daley – (1969–1970) — Seattle Pilots
• Bud Selig – (1970–2005)
  • Wendy Selig-Prieb (1992–2005; acting owner of the team in place of her father)
• Mark Attanasio – (2005-present)

Minnesota Twins

• Ban Johnson & Fred Postal – (1901 – 1903) – Washington
• Thomas C. Noyes – (1904 – 1912) – Washington
• Benjamin Minor – (1912 – 1920) – Washington
• The Griffith Family (1920–84)
• Clark – (1920 – 1955) – Washington
• Calvin – (1955 – 1984)
• The Pohlad Family (1984 - present)
  • Carl – (1984-2009)
  • Jim – (2009-present)

New York Mets

• Joan Whitney Payson – (1962–1975)
• Charles Shipman Payson – (1975–1980)
• Doubleday & Co. – (1980–1986)
• Nelson Doubleday, Jr. & Fred Wilpon – (1986–2002)
• Fred Wilpon – (2002–2020)
• Steve Cohen & Fred Wilpon – (2020–present)

New York Yankees

• William Devery and Frank Farrell, co-owners – (1903–1915)
• Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston and Jacob Ruppert, co-owners – (1915–1922)^[14]
• Jacob Ruppert, sole owner - (1922–1939)
• Heirs of Jacob Ruppert – (1939–1945)
  • Ed Barrow β, team president – (1939–1944, chairman 1945)
• Larry MacPhail β, co-owner — (1945–1947)
• Dan Topping, co-owner – (1945–64)
• Del Webb, co-owner – (1945–64)
• Columbia Broadcasting System – (1964–1973)
  • Team presidents: Dan Topping, 1964–1966; Michael Burke – 1966–1973
• The Steinbrenner Family – (1973–present)
  • George, 1973–2010 (Principal Owner, Chairperson)
  • YankeeNets, 1999–2004 (Formed after a merger of the business operations of the Yankees and New Jersey Nets.)
  • Yankee Global Enterprises LLC, 2004–present (New name for YankeeNets after the Nets were sold to Bruce Ratner. Company owns the Yankees and the YES Network.
  • Brothers Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, acting principal owners from 2007 to 2010; principal owners since 2010, with Hank's interest having passed to his heirs after his death in 2020

Oakland Athletics

• Ben Shibe – (1901–1922) — Philadelphia Athletics
• Connie Mack – (1922–1954)
• Arnold Johnson – (1954–1960) — Kansas City Athletics
• Charlie Finley – (1960–1981) — Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
• Walter Haas – (1981–1995)
• Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann – (1995–2005)
• Lewis Wolff – (2005–2016)
• John J. Fisher – (2016–present)

Philadelphia Phillies

• Al Reach & John Rogers – (1883–1899)
• John Rogers – (1899–1903)
• James Potter – (1903–1905)
• Bill Shettsline – (1905–1909)
• Horace Fogel – (1909–1913)
• William Baker – (1913–1930)
• Gerald Nugent – (1931–1942)
• William D. Cox – (1943)
• R. R. M. Carpenter – (1943–1950)
• Robert Carpenter – (1950–1972)
• Ruly Carpenter – (1972–1981)
• Bill Giles & David Montgomery – (1981-2013)
• John S. Middleton, David Montgomery, and Jim & Pete Buck — (2013–present)

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Denny McKnight (1881–1887) – Alleghenys
• William A. Nimick (1887–1891) – Alleghenys/Pirates
• William Kerr & Phil Auten (1891–1900)
• Barney Dreyfuss – (1900–1932)
• Bill Benswanger – (1932–1946)
• John W. Galbreath – (1946–1985)
• Pittsburgh Associates – (1985–1996)
• Kevin McClatchy – (1996–2007)
• Robert Nutting – (2007–present)

San Diego Padres

• C. Arnholt Smith – (1969–1974)
• Ray Kroc – (1974–1984)
• Joan Kroc – (1984–1990)
• Tom Werner – (1990–1994)
• John Moores – (1994–2012)
• Ron Fowler – (2012–present)

San Francisco Giants

• John Day – (1882-1893)
• C. C. Van Cott – (1893-1895)
• Andrew Freedman – (1895-1902)
• John Brush – (1902–1912)
• Harry Hempstead – (1912–1919)
• Charles Stoneham – (1919–1936)
• Horace Stoneham – (1936–1976)
• Bob Lurie – (1976–1993)
• Peter Magowan – (1993–2008)
• Bill Neukom – (2008–present)

Seattle Mariners

• Danny Kaye – (1977–1980)
• George Argyros – (1980–1989)
• Jeff Smulyan – (1989–1992)
• Hiroshi Yamauchi – (1992–2013)
• Nintendo – (2013–2016)
• First Avenue Entertainment (2016–present)

St. Louis Cardinals

• Chris von der Ahe – (1882–1899)
• Frank & Stanley Robison – (1899–1911)
• Helene Hathaway Britton – (1911–1917)
• Sam Breadon – (1917–1947)
• Robert Hannegan – (1947–1949)
• Fred Saigh – (1947–1953)
• Anheuser-Busch – (1953–1995)
• William DeWitt, Jr. – (1995-present)

Tampa Bay Rays

• Vince Naimoli – (1998–2005)
• Stuart Sternberg – (2005–present)

Texas Rangers

• Elwood Richard Quesada – (1961–1963)
• James Johnston & James Lemon – 1963–1967)
• James Lemon – (1967–1968)
• Bob Short – (1968–1974)
• Brad Corbett – (1974–1980)
• Eddie Chiles – (1980–1989)
• Richard Rainwater and George W. Bush (managing general partner) – (1989–1998)
• Tom Hicks – (1998–2010)
• Rangers Baseball Express (Chuck Greenberg, Nolan Ryan, and other investors) – (2010–present)
  • Ryan sold his interest in the team to the other partners in 2013.

Toronto Blue Jays

• Labatt Brewing Company 45%; R. Howard Webster (chairman/President, The Globe and Mail) 45%; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 10% – (1976–1991)
• John Labatt Limited 10%; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 10% – (1991–1995)
• Interbrew S.A. 90%; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 10% – (1995–2000)
• Rogers Communications 80%; Interbrew S.A. 20% – (2000–2004)
• Rogers Communications – (2004–present)

Washington Nationals

• Charles Bronfman – (1969–1991) (Montreal Expos)
• Claude Brochu – (1991–1999) (Expos)
• Jeffrey Loria – (1999–2002) (Expos)
• Major League Baseball – (2002–2006)
• Theodore N. Lerner – (2006-present)

Nippon Professional Baseball owners

In Japanese baseball, teams are traditionally owned by companies and bear that company's name. Only one team in recent years has not borne a corporate name—the Yokohama BayStars went without a corporate name from 1993 through 2011 because its owner chose not to attach its name to the team. The company identifier is indicated in bold type in the owner list.

Chiba Lotte Marines

• Lotte Group

Chunichi Dragons

• Chunichi Shimbun Co., Ltd.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

• Nankai Electric Railway (1938–1988)
• Daiei (1988–2005)
• SoftBank Corporation (2005–present)

Hanshin Tigers

• Hanshin Electric Railway

Hiroshima Toyo Carp

• Matsuda family (the founding family of Mazda — about 60%); Mazda (34.2%); other minority shareholders
  • The "Toyo" name comes from the former corporate name of Mazda, Toyo Kogyo.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

• Senators (1946) – Did not use a corporate name. Owned by retired Japanese statesman Kinkazu Saionji.
• Tokyu Flyers (1947) – Tokyu Corporation (100%)
• Kyuei Flyers (1948) – Tokyu and Daiei (50-50)
• Tokyu Flyers (1949–1953) – Tokyu (100%)
• Toei Flyers (1954–1972) – Toei Company
• Nittaku Home Flyers (1973) – Not directly owned by a corporation, but bore a corporate name nonetheless. The team was owned that season by Akitaka Nishimura, owner of Nittaku Home.
• Nippon-Ham Fighters (1974–2003), Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2004–present) – Nippon Ham

Orix Buffaloes

• Orix

Saitama Seibu Lions

• Prince Hotels (a part of the Seibu Group)

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

• Rakuten

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

• Kokutetsu Swallows (1950–1965) – Japanese National Railways, known as Kokutetsu in Japanese
• Sankei Swallows (brief period in 1965) – Sankei Shimbun
• Sankei Atoms (1965–1968) – Sankei Shimbun
• Atoms (1969) – Sankei Shimbun (chose to drop its corporate name from the team)
• Yakult Atoms (1970–1973), Yakult Swallows (1974–2005), Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2006–present) – Yakult

Yokohama DeNA BayStars

• Taiyō Whales (1950–52) – Taiyō Fishing Company (100%)
• Taiyō-Shōchiku Robins (1953) – Taiyō and Shōchiku (50-50)
• Yō-Shō Robins (1954) – Taiyō and Shōchiku (50-50)
• Taiyō Whales (1954–1977), Yokohama Taiyō Whales (1978–1992) – Taiyō (100%)
• Yokohama BayStars (1993–2011) – Taiyō changed its name to Maruha Corporation, and chose to drop its corporate name from the team.
• Yokohama DeNA BayStars (2012–present) – DeNA

Yomiuri Giants

• Yomiuri Group

Basketball team owners

National Basketball Association owners

Atlanta Hawks

• Ben Kerner (1948–1968, Tri-Cities Blackhawks/Milwaukee Hawks/St. Louis Hawks)
• Tom Cousins/Cousins Corporation, Carl Sanders (1968–1976)
• Ted Turner/Turner Broadcasting (1977–2004; Time-Warner subsidiary, 1996–2004)
• Atlanta Spirit, LLC (2004–2015)
• Tony Ressler (2015–present)

Boston Celtics

• Walter A. Brown, team founder and original owner (1946–September 7, 1964)
• Lou Pieri and Marjorie Brown, wife of team founder (September 7, 1964– June 24, 1965)
• Marvin Kratter/Knickerbocker Brewing Company, subsidiary of National Equities (June 24, 1965 – 1968)
• Ballantine Brewery, subsidiary of Investors Funding Corporation (1968–1969)
• Trans-National Communications (1969–1971)
• Ballantine Brewery, subsidiary of Investors Funding Corporation (1971–1972)
• Irv Levin and Harold Lipton (April 1972-May 1972) Sale not approved by NBA^[15]
• Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology (May 1972–January 1975)
• Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology, Irv Levin, and Harold Lipton (January 1975–November 1975)^[16]
• Irv Levin and Harold Lipton (November 1975 – 1978)
• John Y. Brown, Jr. and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1978–1979)
• Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1979–1983)
• Don Gaston, Alan N. Cohen, Paul Dupee (1983–1993)
• Paul Gaston (1993–2002)
• Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C. — consisting of Wycliffe Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca, and H. Irving Grousbeck (2002–present)

Brooklyn Nets

• Arthur Brown (1967–1969)
• Roy Boe (1969–1978) (New York Nets/New Jersey Nets)
• The "Secaucus Seven", a group of local New Jersey businessmen led by Jay Taub and Alan Cohen (1978–1998)
• Local real estate developers Raymond Chambers and Lewis Katz (1998–1999)
• YankeeNets, a joint venture between Chambers and Katz, and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (1999–2003)
• Bruce Ratner (principal owner 2003–2010), Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z) and other minority owners
• Mikhail Prokhorov (principal owner 2010–2019)
  • Jay-Z sold his interest (less than 1%) in 2013 so that his management company, Roc Nation Sports, could represent NBA players.
  • In October 2017, billionaire businessman Joseph Tsai announced he agreed to buy a 49% stake in the Nets from Prokhorov. At the time, Tsai also took an option to buy the remaining 51% of the team no later than October 2021.
• Joseph Tsai (2019–present) – Tsai exercised his option to buy Prokhorov's share of the Nets in August 2019, and the sale closed the next month.

Charlotte Hornets

• Robert L. Johnson (principal owner 2004–2010); Michael Jordan, Cornell Haynes, Jr. (aka Nelly) later purchased minority interests
• Michael Jordan (majority owner, 2010–present); Johnson retained a minority interest, and Nelly's interest is not known to be affected by Jordan's purchase

Chicago Bulls

• Dick Klein (1966–1972)
• Arthur Wirtz (1972–1983)
• Bill Wirtz (1983–1985)
• Jerry Reinsdorf (1985–present)

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Nick Mileti (1970–1979)
• Joe Zingale (minority owner, ?-1979; majority owner, 1979–1980)
• Ted Stepien (1980–1983)
• Gordon and George Gund III (1983–2004)
• Dan Gilbert, Usher Raymond, Gordon Gund (2004–present)

Dallas Mavericks

• Don Carter (1980–1996)
• H. Ross Perot, Jr. (1996–2000)
• Mark Cuban (2000–present)

Denver Nuggets

• Red McCombs (1978–1985)
• Sidney Shlenker (1985–1989)
• Peter Bynoe, Bertram Lee, and Comsat Video Enterprises (1989–1997)
• Liberty Media (1997–2000)
• Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (2000–present)
  • Stan Kroenke, previously a minority owner of the NFL's Rams, acquired full ownership in 2010. Under the NFL's then-current cross-ownership rules, principal team owners were prohibited from owning controlling interests in teams in any other professional sport (except soccer) in a different NFL market. From late 2010 until the cross-ownership ban was permanently lifted in October 2018, his wife Ann Walton Kroenke technically held a controlling interest in order to comply with these rules; their son Josh runs the team's day-to-day affairs.^[17]

Detroit Pistons

• Fred Zollner (1948–1974)
• William Davidson (1974–2009)
• Karen Davidson (2009–2011)
• Tom Gores (2011–present)

Golden State Warriors

• Pete Tyrell (1946–1952, Philadelphia Warriors)
• Eddie Gottlieb (1952–1962, Philadelphia Warriors)
• Franklin Mieuli (1962–1986, San Francisco/Golden State Warriors)
• Jim Fitzgerald (1986–1995)
• Chris Cohan (1995–2010)
• Peter Guber and Joe Lacob (2010–present)

Houston Rockets

• Robert Breitbard (1967–1971, San Diego Rockets)
• Billy Goldberg, Wayne Duddlesten, Mickey Herskowitz (1971–1973, Houston Rockets)
• Irvin Kaplan 1973–1975
• James Talcott Incorporated (1975–1976)
• Kenneth Schnitzer (1976–1979)
• George J. Maloof, Sr. (1979–1980)
• Gavin Maloof (1980–1982)
• Charlie Thomas (1982–1993)
• Leslie Alexander (1993–2017)
• Tilman Fertitta (2017–present)

Indiana Pacers

• Herbert Simon and Melvin Simon

Los Angeles Clippers

• Paul Snyder (1970–1976, Buffalo Braves)
• John Y. Brown, Jr. (1976–1978, Buffalo Braves majority owner)
  • Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1976–1978, Buffalo Braves minority owner)
• Irv Levin (1978–1981, Buffalo Braves/San Diego Clippers)
• Donald Sterling (1981–2014, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers)
• Steve Ballmer (2014–present, Los Angeles Clippers)

Los Angeles Lakers

• Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen (1948–1957, Minneapolis Lakers)
• Bob Short (1957–1965, Minneapolis-Los Angeles Lakers)
• Jack Kent Cooke (1965–1979)
• Jerry Buss (principal owner, 1979–2013)
• Bill Daniels (minority owner, estimated timeframe early 1980s to early 1990s)
• Anschutz Entertainment Group (minority owner, 1999–present)
• Earvin "Magic" Johnson (4.5% stake, 1994–2010)^[18]
• Patrick Soon-Shiong (2010–present; acquired Johnson's former interest)^[18]
• Buss family trust (principal owner, 2013–present) – basketball operations run by Jim Buss and business operations run by Jeanie Buss^[19]

Memphis Grizzlies

• Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment (1995–2000) (Vancouver Grizzlies)
• Michael Heisley (2000–2012)
• Robert J. Pera (2012–present)

Miami Heat

• Ted Arison (1987–1995), as the majority owner, with minority shareholders Billy Cunningham and Lewis Schaffel running day-to-day business operations.
• Micky Arison (1995–present)

Milwaukee Bucks

• Milwaukee Professional Sports and Services, Inc. (aka Milwaukee Pro), headed by Wesley Pavalon and Marvin Fishman (1968–1976)
• Jim Fitzgerald (principal owner, 1976–85)
• U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (1985–2014)
• Wesley Edens & Marc Lasry (2014–present)
  • Aaron Rodgers bought a minority stake in the team in 2018.^[20]

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner (1989–1994)
• Glen Taylor (1994–present)

New Orleans Pelicans

• George Shinn (100%, 1988–2007; Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets)
• George Shinn (75%) and Gary Chouest (25%) (2007–2010)
• National Basketball Association (2010–2012) — The NBA purchased the team in December 2010 after a planned sale of Shinn's interest to Chouest fell through.
• Tom Benson (2012–2018)^[21]
• Gayle Benson (2018–present)
  • Gayle Benson is also the owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints. At the time of Tom Benson's death, NFL rules allowed team owners to own teams in other sports if the other team(s) were in the same media market. In 2013, Gayle's late predecessor and husband Tom Benson announced that the New Orleans Hornets would permanently change their team nickname to the Pelicans.

New York Knicks

• James Dolan

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Sam Schulman – (1967–1983) (Seattle SuperSonics)
• Barry Ackerley – (1983–2001) (SuperSonics)
• Howard Schultz – (2001–2006) (SuperSonics)
• Professional Basketball Club, LLC — principal owner Clay Bennett, minority owners Jeffrey Records, Jr. and George Kaiser

Orlando Magic

• William du Pont III, Jim L. Hewit, and Robert Hewitt (1989–1991)
• Richard DeVos (1991–present)^[22]

Philadelphia 76ers

• Danny Biasone (1946–1963, Syracuse Nationals)
• Irv Kosloff (1963–1976)
• Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr. (1976–1981)
• Harold Katz (1981–1996)
• Comcast Spectacor (1996–2011)
• Josh Harris (2011–present)

Phoenix Suns

• Jerry Colangelo (1987–2004)
• Robert Sarver (2004–present)
  • Larry Fitzgerald bought a minority stake in the team in January 2020.^[20]

Portland Trail Blazers

• Herman Sarkowsky, Robert Schmertz, and Larry Weinberg (1970–1972)
• Herman Sarkowsky & Larry Weinberg (1972–1975)
• Larry Weinberg (1975–1988)
• Paul Allen (1988–2018)
• Estate of Paul Allen (2018–present)
  • From 1997 to 2018, Paul Allen was also the principal owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. At the time he purchased the Seahawks in 1997, the NFL had a blanket prohibition of cross-ownership (apart from soccer), but the league soon modified the rule to allow NFL owners to own teams in other leagues under either of the following conditions:
    • The other team is in the same market as the owner's NFL team.
    • The other team is in a market without an NFL team, as is the case with Portland.

Sacramento Kings

• Gregg Lukenbill and Joe Benvenuti (1985–1992)
• Jim Thomas (1992–1999)
• Maloof family (53%), Bob Hernreich (12%), and other minority investors (operated by George, Joe and Gavin Maloof) (1999–2013)
• Vivek Ranadive (2013–present)

San Antonio Spurs

• Angelo Drossos (1973–1988)
• Red McCombs (1988–1993)
• Peter Holt (1993–2016)
• Julianna Holt (2016–present)

Toronto Raptors

• John Bitove 44%, Allan Slaight (Slaight Communications) 44%, Bank of Nova Scotia 10%, David Peterson 1%, Phil Granovsky 1% (1993–1995)
• John Bitove, Allan Slaight, Bank of Nova Scotia, Isiah Thomas 9% (1995)
• Allan Slaight 81%, Bank of Nova Scotia 10%, Isiah Thomas 9% (1996–1997)
• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (1998–present)

Utah Jazz

• Sam Battistone (1974–1985), New Orleans/Utah Jazz
• Sam Battistone and Larry Miller (50-50, 1985–1986)
• Larry Miller (100%, 1986–2009)
• Greg Miller and Gail Miller (2009–present)

Washington Wizards

• David Trager (1961–1964) — Chicago Packers/Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets
• Abe Pollin (majority owner), Earl Foreman, and Arnold Heft (1964–1968) — Baltimore Bullets
• Abe Pollin (100%, 1968–1999) — Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, Washington Wizards
• Abe Pollin (56%) and Ted Leonsis (44%) (1999–2009)
• Estate of Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis (2009–2010)
• Ted Leonsis (2010–present)

Women's National Basketball Association owners

Atlanta Dream

• Ron Terwilliger (2008–2009)
• Kathy Betty (2010)
• Dream Too LLC, composed of Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler (2011–present); team for sale as of January 2021

Chicago Sky

• Michael J. Alter and Margaret Stender (2006–present)

Connecticut Sun

• RDV Sports, Inc. (1998–2002), Orlando Miracle
• Mohegan Sun (2003–present)

Dallas Wings

• William Davidson (1998–2009), Detroit Shock
• Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, composed of Bill Cameron, David Box, Chris Christian, Sam and Rita Combs, and Paula Marshall (2009–2015), Tulsa Shock
• Bill Cameron (majority owner), Chris Christian, and Mark Yancey (2015–present)

Indiana Fever

• Herb and Melvin Simon (2000–2009)
• Herb Simon (2009–present)

Las Vegas Aces

• Larry H. Miller (1997–2002), Utah Starzz
• Peter Holt (2003–2017), San Antonio Stars
• MGM Resorts International (2017–2021)
• Mark Davis (2021–present)

Los Angeles Sparks

• Jerry Buss (1997–2006)
• Gemini Basketball LLC, composed of Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lynai Jones (2006–2011)
• Williams Group Holdings (Paula Madison) (2011–2014)^[23] and Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lisa Leslie (2011–2013)
• Sparks LA Sports, LLC (Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, Todd Boehly and Bobby Patton) (2014–present)^[24]

Minnesota Lynx

• Glen Taylor (1999–present)

New York Liberty

• Cablevision (1997–2009)
• Madison Square Garden, Inc. (2010–2019)
• Joe Tsai (2019–Present)^[25]

Phoenix Mercury

• Jerry Colangelo (1997–2003)
• Robert Sarver (2004–present)

Seattle Storm

• Bill and Ginger Ackerley (2000–2001)^[26][27]
• Howard Schultz (2001–2006) ^[28]
• Clay Bennett (2007) ^[28]
• Force 10 Hoops LLC, composed of Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder (2008–present)^[29]

Washington Mystics

• Abe Pollin (1998–2005)
• Monumental Sports & Entertainment/Ted Leonsis (2005–present)

National Basketball League (Australia) owners

Adelaide 36ers

• Grant Kelley (March 2017–present)

Illawarra Hawks

• Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo & Micahel Proctor

Perth Wildcats

• Jack Bendat

Gridiron football franchise owners

National Football League owners

Arizona Cardinals

• Chris O'Brien (1898–1929) — Morgan Athletic Club (Chicago, 1898–1899?), Racine Normals (still in Chicago, 1899?–1901), Racine Cardinals (1901–1921), Chicago Cardinals (1922–1929)
• Dr. David Jones (1929–1933)
• Charles Bidwill (1933–1947)
• Violet Bidwill Wolfner (1947–1962) — Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals
• Bill Bidwill and Charles Bidwill, Jr. (1962–1972)
• Bill Bidwill (1972–2019) — St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals
• Michael Bidwill (2019–present)

Atlanta Falcons

• Rankin M. Smith Sr. – (1966–1997)
• Taylor Smith – (1997–2002)
• Arthur Blank – (2002–present) — owns over 90%; seven minority partners own the rest, with Warrick Dunn the latest addition in March 2010^[30]

Baltimore Ravens

• Art Modell – 1996–2004
• Steve Bisciotti – 2004–present

Buffalo Bills

• Ralph Wilson – (1959–2014)
• Estate of Ralph Wilson (2014)
• Terrence Pegula and Kim Pegula – (September 2014 – present)

Carolina Panthers

• Jerry Richardson – (1995–2018)
• David Tepper – (2018–present)

Chicago Bears

• A. E. Staley (1919–1921) — Decatur/Chicago Staleys
• George Halas and Dutch Sternaman – (1921–1933)
• The Halas Family – (1933–present)
  • George Halas (1933–1983)
  • Virginia McCaskey (daughter) – (1983–present)

Cincinnati Bengals

• The Brown family:
  • Paul – (1968–1991)
  • Mike – (1991–present)

Cleveland Browns

• Mickey McBride – (1946–1953)
• David Jones – (1953–1961)
• Art Modell – (1961–1995)
• Operations suspended franchise held in "Cleveland Browns Trust" 1996–1998. See Cleveland Browns relocation controversy for more details.
• Al Lerner – (1998–2002)
• Randy Lerner – (2002–2012)
• Jimmy Haslam – (2012–present)

Dallas Cowboys

• Clint Murchison – (1960–1984)
• Bum Bright – (1984–1989)
• Jerry Jones – (1989–present)

Denver Broncos

• Bob Howsam – (1959–1961)
• Gerald Phipps – (1961–1981)
• Edgar Kaiser – (1981–1984)
• Pat Bowlen – (1984–2019)
• Pat Bowlen estate – (2019–present)

Detroit Lions

• George A. Richards – (1934–1940)
• Fred Mandel – (1940–1948)
• Edwin J. Anderson – (1948–1964)
• William Clay Ford family
  • William Clay Sr. – (1964–2014)
  • Martha (widow) – (2014–present)

Green Bay Packers

• J.E. Clair, Earl "Curly" Lambeau, George Whitney Calhoun – (1919–1923)
• Green Bay Packers, Inc. (the publicly owned, non-profit organization that owns the Green Bay Packers, Inc., originally Green Bay Football Corporation; 1923–present)

Houston Texans

• Robert C. McNair – (2002–2018)
• Janice McNair – (2018–present)

Indianapolis Colts

• Carroll Rosenbloom – (1953–1972)
• The Irsay family – (1972–present)
  • Robert (1972–1997) — Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
  • Jim (1997–present)

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Wayne Weaver – (1995–2012)
• Shahid Khan – (2012–present)

Kansas City Chiefs

• The Hunt family – (1959–present)
  • Lamar (1960–2006) — Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
  • Family, led by son Clark – (2006–present)

Las Vegas Raiders

• Limited partnership led by Y. Charles (Chet) Soda – (1959–1960)
• F. Wayne Valley and Ed McGah – (1961–1966)
• Valley, McGah and Al Davis – (1966–1976)
• Al Davis and McGah (1976–1983) – Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
• Al Davis (1983–2011) — Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
• Mark and Carol Davis – (2011–present) – Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders

Note: This list reflects the actual control of the franchise. The ownership structure is considerably more complicated. Notably, it was reported that Al Davis owned only a 47% stake in the team when he died in 2011, although he exercised near-total control as the president of the team's general partner. His widow Carol and son Mark inherited his interest in the team, with Mark exercising day-to-day control. See the relevant section of the team article for more details.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Barron Hilton (1959–1966) — Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers
• Gene Klein (majority owner) and Sam Schulman (1966–1984) — San Diego Chargers
• Alex Spanos – (1984–2018)
• Dean Spanos – (2018–present)

Los Angeles Rams

• Homer Marshman (1936–1941?) — Cleveland Rams
• Dan Reeves (1941–1971) — Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams
• Robert Irsay – (1971–1972)
• Carroll Rosenbloom – (1972–1979)
• Georgia Frontiere (1979–1995) — Los Angeles Rams
• Georgia Frontiere (60%) and Stan Kroenke (40%) (1995–2008) — St. Louis Rams
• Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez (combined 60%), and Stan Kroenke (40%) – (2008–2010)
• Stan Kroenke – (2010–present)

Miami Dolphins

• Joe Robbie and Danny Thomas – (1965–1966?)
• Joe Robbie – (1966?–1990)
• Robbie family and Wayne Huizenga – (1990–1993)
• Wayne Huizenga – (100%, 1993–2008)
• Stephen M. Ross (50%) and Huizenga (50%) – (2008–2009)
• Ross (up to 95%) and Huizenga (5%) (2009–present) — unknown, but likely small, percentages also owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Buffett, Fergie, and Serena and Venus Williams

Minnesota Vikings

• Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund, Max Winter, Bernie Ridder, and Ole Haugsrud – (1960–1973)
• Skoglund, Winter, Ridder, Haugsrud and Boyer family – (1973–1976)
• Skoglund, Winter, Ridder, and Boyer family – (1976–1977)
• Winter, Skoglund family and Boyer family – (1977–1988)
• Skoglund family, Winter, Boyer family, Carl Pohlad, and Irwin Jacobs – (1988–1991)
• Roger Headrick and nine equal partners – (1991–1998)
• Red McCombs – (1998–2005)
• Zygi Wilf and family – (2005–present)

New England Patriots

• Billy Sullivan – (1960–1987)
• Victor Kiam – (1987–1992)
• James Orthwein – (1992–1994)
• Robert Kraft – (1994–present)

New Orleans Saints

• John W. Mecom, Jr. – (1967–1985)
• Tom Benson – (1985–2018)
• Gayle Benson – (2018–present)

New York Giants

• The Mara Family – (1925–present; 100 percent ownership, 1925–1991, 50 percent ownership since 1991)
  • Tim J. – (1925–1959)
  • Jack – (1930–1965)
  • Wellington – (1930–2005)
  • Tim – (1965–1991)
  • John – (2005–present)
• The Tisch Family – (1991–present; 50 percent ownership)
  • Bob – (1991–2005)
  • Jonathan – (2006–present)

New York Jets

• Harry Wismer (1959–1963) — New York Titans
• Sonny Werblin, Leon Hess, Donald C. Lillis, Townsend B. Martin, Philip H. Iselin – (1963–1968)
• Leon Hess, Donald C. Lillis, Townsend B. Martin, Philip H. Iselin – (1968)
• Leon Hess, Townsend B. Martin, Philip H. Iselin – (1968–1976)
• Leon Hess, Townsend B. Martin – (1976–1981)
• Leon Hess – (1981–1999)
• Estate of Leon Hess – (1999–2000)
• Woody Johnson – (2000–present)

Philadelphia Eagles

• Bert Bell and Lud Wray – (1933–1940)
• Bell and Alexis Thompson – (1940–1946)
• Thompson and 63 stockholders – (1946–1963)
• Jerry Wolman – (1963–1969)
• Leonard Tose – (1969–1985)
• Norman Braman and Ed Leibowitz – (1985)
• Norman Braman – (1986–1994)
• Jeffrey Lurie – (1994–present)

Pittsburgh Steelers

• The Rooney family:
  • Art – (1933–1988)
  • Dan – (1988–2017)
  • Art Rooney II – (2017–present)

San Francisco 49ers

• Tony Morabito, Victor Morabito, Allen E. Sorrell and E.J. Turre – (1946)
• Tony and Victor Morabito – (1947–1953)
• Morabito, Morabito, and Al Ruffo – (1953–1957)
• Josephine Morabito, Victor Morabito, and Ruffo – (1957–1964)
• Josephine Morabito, Elizabeth Morabito, and Ruffo – (1964–1977)
• Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. and Denise DeBartolo York – (1977–2000)
• Denise DeBartolo York and John York – (2000–present)
  • Jed York – (2008–present)

Seattle Seahawks

• Nordstrom family – (1976–1988)
• Ken Behring – (1988–1997)
• Paul Allen – (1997–2018)
• Estate of Paul Allen – (2018–present)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Hugh Culverhouse – (1976–1994)
• Hugh Culverhouse, Jr. – (1994–1995)
• The Glazer family – (1995–present)
  • Malcolm Glazer – (1995–2014)
  • Bryan Glazer, Joel Glazer, and Ed Glazer – (1995–present)

Tennessee Titans

• Kenneth S. Adams, Jr. family – (1959–present)
  • Kenneth S., Jr. (Bud) (1959–2013) — Houston/Tennessee Oilers, Tennessee Titans
  • Amy Adams Strunk, Kenneth Adams IV, Barclay Adams, Thomas and Susie Smith – (2013–2020)
  • Amy Adams Strunk (50%), Kenneth Adams IV, Barclay Adams and Susan Lewis (50%) – (2020–present)

Washington Football Team

• George Preston Marshall (1932–1969) — Boston Braves, Boston/Washington Redskins
• Edward Bennett Williams – (1969–1974)
• Jack Kent Cooke and Edward Bennett Williams – (1974–1985)
• Jack Kent Cooke – (1985–1997)
• Jack Kent Cooke foundation – (1997–1999)
• Daniel Snyder – (1999–present)

Canadian Football League owners

BC Lions

• Estate of David Braley (2020–present)

Calgary Stampeders

• Calgary Sports and Entertainment
  (N. Murray Edwards, chairman) (2012–present)

Edmonton Football Team

• Publicly owned (1949–present)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

• Bob Young (2003–present)

Montreal Alouettes

• Bob Wetenhall (1997–2019)
• Canadian Football League (2019–2020)
• S and S Sportsco (Sid Spiegel and Gary Stern) — 2020–present

Ottawa Redblacks

• Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group
  (Jeff Hunt, chairman) (2012–present)

Saskatchewan Roughriders

• Publicly owned (1911–present)

Toronto Argonauts

• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (2017–present)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• Publicly owned (1930–present)

Hockey franchise owners

National Hockey League owners

Anaheim Ducks

• The Walt Disney Company – 1993–2005
• Henry & Susan Samueli – 2005–present

Arizona Coyotes

• Barry Shenkarow – 1979-1996 (in Winnipeg)
• Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke – 1996–1998
• Richard Burke – 1998–2001
• Steve Ellman, Wayne Gretzky, and Jerry Moyes – 2001–2006
• Wayne Gretzky and Jerry Moyes – 2006–2009
• National Hockey League – 2009–2013
• IceArizona – 2013–2017 (team rebranded as Arizona Coyotes in 2014)
• Andrew Barroway – 2017–2019
• Alex Meruelo – 2019–present

Boston Bruins

• Charles Adams – 1924–1947
• Weston Adams, Sr. – 1947–1951
• Boston Garden-Arena Corporation – 1951–1973
• Storer Broadcasting – 1973–1975
• Jeremy Jacobs – 1975–present

Buffalo Sabres

• Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup Knox – 1970–1996
• John Rigas – 1996–2002
• National Hockey League – 2002–2003
• Tom Golisano and Larry Quinn – 2003–2011
• Pegula Sports and Entertainment (Terry and Kim Pegula) – 2011–present

Calgary Flames

• Tom Cousins – 1972-1980 (in Atlanta)
• Calgary Sports and Entertainment (Harley Hotchkiss, Allan P. Markin, Clayton H. Riddell, Daryl Seaman) – 1980–present

Carolina Hurricanes

• Howard Baldwin, Don Conrad and 14 other Hartford based partners – 1979-1988 (in Hartford)
• Richard Gordon and Don Conrad – 1988-1989 (in Hartford)
• Richard Gordon, and Colonial Whalers (Benjamin J. Sisti, Johnathan N. Googel and Frank Shuch) – 1989-1992 (in Hartford)
• Richard Gordon – 1992-1994 (in Hartford)
• Peter Karmanos, Jr. – 1994–2018 (Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes)
• Thomas Dundon – 2018–present

Chicago Blackhawks

• Frederic McLaughlin – 1926–1944
• Estate of Frederic McLaughlin – 1944–1946
• James E. Norris and Bill Tobin – 1946–1952
• James D. Norris and Arthur Wirtz – 1952–1966
• Wirtz Corporation (1966–present)
  • William Wadsworth Wirtz – 1966–2007
  • William Rockwell Wirtz – 2007–present

Colorado Avalanche

• Carling O'Keefe – 1979-1990 (in Quebec)
• Marcel Aubut – 1990-1995 (in Quebec)
• Charlie Lyons – 1995–2000
• Kroenke Sports & Entertainment – 2000–present
  • As noted in the NBA section, Stan Kroenke has technically transferred a controlling interest in the Avalanche to his son Josh Kroenke in order to comply with NFL cross-ownership rules.^[17]

Columbus Blue Jackets

• The McConnell Family – 2000–present
  • John H. – 2000–2008
  • John P. – 2008–present

Dallas Stars

• Walter Bush and W. John Driscoll – 1967-1991 (in Minnesota)
• Norman Green – 1991–1995 (Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars)
• Tom Hicks – 1995–2011
• Tom Gaglardi – 2011–present

Detroit Red Wings

• Charles A. Hughes – 1926–1931
• Creditors' Committee – 1931–1933
• James E. Norris – 1933–1952
• Marguerite Norris – 1952–1955
• Bruce Norris – 1955–1982
• The Ilitch family – 1982–present
  • Mike Ilitch – 1982–2017
  • Christopher Ilitch – 2017–present

Edmonton Oilers

• Peter Pocklington – 1979–1998
• Edmonton Investors Group Limited Partnership – 1998–2008
• Daryl Katz – 2008–present

Florida Panthers

• Wayne Huizenga – 1993–2001
• Alan Cohen and Bernie Kosar – 2001–2009
• Vincent Viola – 2009-Pres.

Los Angeles Kings

• Jack Kent Cooke – 1967–1979
• Jerry Buss – 1979–1987
• Bruce McNall – 1987–1994
• Joseph Cohen and Jeffrey Sudikoff – 1994–1995
• Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski, Jr. (AEG) – 1995–present

Minnesota Wild

• Bob Naegele, Jr. – 1997–2008
• Craig Leipold – 2008–present

Montreal Canadiens

• J. Ambrose O'Brien – 1909–1910
• George Kennedy – 1910–1921
• Joseph Cattarinich, Leo Dandurand, and Louis Letourneau – 1921–1930
• Joseph Cattarinich and Leo Dandurand – 1930–1935
• Ernest Savard, Maurice Forget, and Louis Gelinas – 1935–1940
• Donat Raymond and William Northey – 1940–1957
• Hartland Molson and Tom Molson – 1957–1964
• David Molson, Peter Molson, and William Molson – 1964–1971
• Edward Bronfman and Peter Bronfman – 1971–1978
• Molson Brewing Company – 1978–2001
• George N. Gillett, Jr. – 2001–2009
• Geoff Molson, Andrew Molson, and Justin Molson – 2009–present

Nashville Predators

• Craig Leipold – 1998–2007
• David Freeman – 2007–present

New Jersey Devils

• Edwin G. Thompson – 1974-1976 (in Kansas City)
• Jack Vickers Jr. – 1976-1982 (in Colorado)
• John McMullen – 1982–2000
• YankeeNets – 2000–2004
• Jeffrey Vanderbeek – 2004–2013
• Joshua Harris – 2013–present

New York Islanders

• Roy Boe – 1972–1978
• John Pickett – 1978–1997
• John Spano – 1997
• Howard Milstein and Steven Gluckstern – 1997–2000
• Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar – 2000–2006
• Charles Wang – 2006–2016
• Jon Ledecky and Scott D. Malkin, minority owner Charles Wang – 2016–present

New York Rangers

• Madison Square Garden, Inc. – 1926–present

Ottawa Senators

• Bruce Firestone – 1992
• Rod Bryden – 1992–2003
• Eugene Melnyk – 2003–present

Philadelphia Flyers

• Ed Snider – 1967–1996
• Comcast Spectacor and Ed Snider – 1996–2016
• Comcast Spectacor – 2016–present

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Jack McGregor and Peter Block – 1965–1968
• Donald Parsons – 1968–1971
• Peter Block, Elmore Keener, and Peter Burchfield – 1971–1975
• National Hockey League – 1975
• Al Savill, Otto Frenzel, and Wren Blair – 1975–1976
• Al Savill and Otto Frenzel – 1976–1977
• Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. – 1977–1991
• Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg, and Thomas Ruta – 1991–1997
• Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg, Thomas Ruta, and Roger Marino – 1997–1999
• Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle – 1999–present

San Jose Sharks

• Gordon Gund and George Gund Gund – 1991–2001
• San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises – 2001–present

St. Louis Blues

• Sid Salomon, Jr., Sid Salomon III, and Robert Wolfson – 1967–1977
• Ralston Purina – 1977–1983
• Harry Ornest – 1983–1986
• Michael Shanahan, Sr. – 1986–1999
• Bill Laurie and Nancy Walton Laurie – 1999–2005
• Dave Checketts – 2005–2012
• Tom Stillman via SLB Acquisition Holdings LLC – 2012–present

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Kokusai Green – 1992–1998
• Arthur L. Williams, Jr. – 1998–1999
• William Davidson – 1999–2007
• Oren Koules and Len Barrie – 2007–2010
• Jeffrey Vinik – 2010–present

Toronto Maple Leafs

• Toronto Arena Company – 1917–1919
• Charles Querrie – 1919–1927
• Conn Smythe – 1927–1961
• Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard, and John Bassett – 1961–1970
• Stafford Smythe and Harold Ballard – 1970–1972
• Harold Ballard – 1972–1990
• Estate of Harold Ballard – 1990–1991
• Steve Stavro – 1991–1996
• Steve Stavro and Larry Tanenbaum – 1996–1998
• Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. – 1998–present

Vancouver Canucks

• Thomas Scallen – 1970–1974
• Frank Griffiths – 1974–1988
• Arthur Griffiths – 1988–1997
• John McCaw, Jr. – 1997–2004
• John McCaw, Jr. and Francesco Aquilini – 2004–2006
• Francesco Aquilini – 2006–present

Vegas Golden Knights

• Black Knight Sports & Entertainment: Bill Foley (85%), Maloof family (15%) – 2017–present

Washington Capitals

• Abe Pollin – 1974–1999
• Monumental Sports & Entertainment – 1999–present

Winnipeg Jets

• Ted Turner and Time Warner – 1999-2003 (in Atlanta)
• Atlanta Spirit Group – 2003-2011 (in Atlanta)
• True North Sports and Entertainment – 2011–present

Future NHL Owners

Seattle Kraken

• David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tod Leiweke – 2018–present

Rugby League Football club owners

National Rugby League owners

Brisbane Broncos

• News Corporation Majority ownership of the Brisbane Broncos (68.9%)

Melbourne Storm

• News Corporation Full ownership

Newcastle Knights

• Wests Leagues Club (Newcastle)

South Sydney Rabbitohs

• Russell Crowe
• Peter Holmes à Court

Super League owners

Rugby Union Football club owners

Aviva Premiership (England)

Bath

• Andrew Brownsword (??–2010)
• Bruce Craig (2010–present)

Bristol

• Stephen Lansdown (2012–present)

Gloucester

• Owned by a large number of investors until 1997
• Tom Walkinshaw (1997–2010)
  • Martin St Quinton (minority interest, 2008–2016)
• Ryan Walkinshaw (majority interest, December 2010–February 2016)
• Martin St Quinton (majority interest, February 2016–present)

Newcastle Falcons

• John Hall (1996–1999)
• Dave Thompson (1999–present)

Sale Sharks

• Brian Kennedy (?-present)

Wasps

• Steve Hayes (??–2013)
• Derek Richardson and minority investors (2013–present)

Guinness Pro14

Aironi (operated from 2010–12; now defunct)

• Eight rugby clubs in Italy: Rugby Viadana 54%, Colorno 15%, Gran Parma Rugby 10%, Rugby Parma 10%, Noceto 5%, Reggio Emilia 2%, Modena 2% and Mantova 2%.^[31]
  • After the formation of Aironi, Gran Parma, Viadana and Colorno merged to form GranDucato Rugby Parma,^[32] and Rugby Parma and Noceto merged to form Crociati Parma Rugby.^[33][34]

Benetton Rugby

• Benetton

Cardiff Blues

• Cardiff RFC

Cheetahs (joined in 2017)

• Free State Rugby Union

Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster

• All are owned and operated by the respective provincial branches of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the sport's governing body throughout the island of Ireland.

Dragons

• Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union (2003–2017; 50-50 partnership)
• Welsh Rugby Union (2017–present, 100%)

Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors

• Both are owned and operated by the Scottish Rugby Union, the sport's governing body in Scotland.

Ospreys

• Neath RFC and Swansea RFC (50-50 partnership)

Scarlets

• Llanelli RFC

Southern Kings (joined in 2017)

• Eastern Province Rugby Union

Zebre (took Aironi's place in the league in 2012)

• Italian Rugby Federation

Top 14 and Pro D2 (France)

Brive

• Daniel Derichebourg^[35]
  • Derichebourg has put the club up for sale.

Castres

• Pierre Fabre^[36]

Montpellier

• Mohed Altrad^[37]

Perpignan

• Paul Goze^[35]

Racing 92

• Jacky Lorenzetti^[38]

Stade Français

• Max Guazzini (majority owner, 1992–June 2011); unknown percentage also owned by Christophe Dominici in the last years of Guazzini's ownership
• Jean-Pierre Savare (majority owner, June 2011–May 2017)^[39]
• Hans-Peter Wild (May 2017–)^[40]

Toulon

• Mourad Boudjellal^[35]

Cricket club Owners

India

Indian Premier League owners

Kolkata Knight Riders

• Shahrukh Khan (Red Chillies Entertainment)
• Juhi Chawla
• Jay Mehta (Mehta Group)

Chennai Super Kings

• Varun Manian (India Cements)

Delhi Daredevils

• Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (GMR)

Kings XI Punjab

• Preity Zinta (PZNZ Media)
• Ness Wadia (Bombay Dyeing)
• Mohit Burman (Dabur Group)

Mumbai Indians

• Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Group)
• Teesta Retail

Rajasthan Royals

• Lachlan Murdoch (Emerging Media)
• Shilpa Shetty
• Raj Kundra (UK Tradecorp Ltd)

Royal Challengers Bangalore

• Vijay Mallya (UB Group)

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Kalanidhi Maran (Sun Group)

References