NFL team owners Stan Kroenke, Jerry Jones part of Forbes’ billionaire list, which also includes Daniel Snyder

Every day, in various ways, the dominance of the NFL over the rest of the American sports landscape in terms of popularity becomes apparent. The most recent confirmation of this comes from Forbes’ billionaire list.

Forbes recently unveiled its compilation of the world’s billionaires, totaling 2,781 individuals, and the realm of sports is well-represented. Notably, the NFL stands out far above other sports leagues. Among the top eight billionaires in the sporting world, as categorized by Forbes (excluding figures like Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose primary wealth derives from other industries), all are current or former NFL team owners. Impressively, NFL ownership claims 12 of the top 14 spots on the list.

Being in the NFL business certainly has its perks.

Stan Kroenke Leads NFL Billionaires

Topping the list within the sporting realm is Stan Kroenke, boasting a net worth of $16.2 billion according to Forbes. Kroenke is the owner of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, who play their home games at the extravagant $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium. Additionally, Kroenke Sports Entertainment possesses teams across various sports leagues, prominently including the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the reigning champions, and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Kroenke, married to Walmart heiress Ann Walton, amassed considerable wealth through ventures in real estate. Forbes ranks Kroenke as the 115th richest individual globally.

Following Kroenke is Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who holds the second position on the list of sporting billionaires. Despite criticisms of Jones regarding the Cowboys’ Super Bowl drought since 1995, he has indisputably dominated the business arena. Forbes estimates Jones’ net worth at $13.8 billion. It’s worth recalling that Jones acquired the Cowboys for a mere $140 million in 1989, a decision hailed as one of the greatest business transactions in sports history.

The remaining top eight billionaires in the sporting world, alongside their NFL affiliations according to Forbes, are: Robert Kraft (New England Patriots), Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons), Stephen Bisciotti (Baltimore Ravens), Gayle Benson (New Orleans Saints), Denise York and family (San Francisco 49ers), and former Houston Texans owner Janice McNair (who recently transferred ownership to her son, Cal McNair). Breaking the NFL’s monopoly at ninth place is John Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox.

The NFL’s Influence Extends Further

Beyond the top ranks, additional NFL owners find themselves among the billionaires, such as Daniel Snyder (former owner of the Washington Commanders), Jeffrey Lurie (Philadelphia Eagles), Jim Irsay (Indianapolis Colts), and Woody Johnson (New York Jets). Notably, Michael Jordan lands just behind Johnson at the fifteenth spot among sports figures, with a net worth of $3.2 billion.

Furthermore, other NFL owners including Mark Davis (Las Vegas Raiders), Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans), the Glazer family (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and the Hunt family (Kansas City Chiefs) are also included in Forbes’ billionaire list. Not to be overlooked, current athletes Tiger Woods ($1.3 billion) and LeBron James ($1.2 billion) also make appearances.

The NFL’s supremacy in TV ratings, overall interest, and revenue remains unchallenged among American sports. This indisputable dominance contributes to the continually escalating prices of NFL teams, a trend evident in the rare instances when teams are put up for sale.