The Most Absurdly Rich Owners in Sports

With every purchased ticket and every half-eaten hot dog bought at the stadium, sports owners watch their wealth increase just a bit more.

Athletes may garner plenty of dollar bills during the season, but the majority owners of most teams make enough to feed a sufficient-sized country, or two.

These owners not only populate the Forbes 400 List, but they also dominate the shadows of their teams' success.

Often gaining wealth from strong investments early in life or entrepreneurial endeavors that grew into mammoth companies, these owners have decided to take their earnings to sports. Sometimes they believe that championships can be bought, but they quickly learn the opposite.

While we salivate at the opportunity to include prosperous soccer, cricket and obscure sports owners, we can't because of their potential to dominate the list in quality and quantity.

Here are the richest majority owners in sports.

Enjoy.

30. Arthur Blank

Often seen lingering on the sidelines of Falcons games with a curious look on his face, Arthur Blank clearly has the aura of a wealthy man.

His co-founding of Home Depot reeks of hard work, however, and he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in 2011 for donating over $250 million through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to a wide array of charities, mainly focusing on less fortunate youths.

While it's now the world's largest home improvement retailer with $68 billion in sales, Home Depot was founded in 1978, with Blank and partner Bernie Marcus handing out dollar bills in the parking lot to attract customers.

He bought the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 and hasn't looked back since.

Worth: $1.3 billion

29. Steve Bisciotti

From rags to riches, the majority owner of the Baltimore Ravens, Steve Bisciotti, came from a working-class family and went on to start Aerotek with his cousin after graduating college.

Despite running this staffing company out of the basement with less than stellar equipment, the duo made $1.5 million in sales in the first year.

The company then grew into the Allegis Group, ranked as the No. 6 privately held staffing firm in the world, naturally the largest in the United States.

Bisciotti and his general manager, Ozzie Newsome, are universally known as one of the NFL's best owner-executive combinations.

Worth: $1.3 billion

28. James Irsay

He may seem like a party animal, but Jim Irsay is undoubtedly sitting at home sulking these days considering his Colts lack their heart and soul, Peyton Manning, and his team's NFL-leading streak of nine straight playoff appearances is in jeopardy.

His father, Robert Irsay, bought the Baltimore Colts in 1972 for a measly $15 million. After his father died in 1997, James Irsay fought his stepmother in a legal battle for the team and eventually won to become, at 37, the youngest owner at that time.

With his alleged affinity for quoting rock music, he's most likely thinking about the lyrics in "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty as a metaphor for his team's current state.

Worth: $1.4 billion

27. Joshua Harris

Aside from their emotions concerning the NBA lockout, Philly fans finally started to feel optimistic this summer after the Apollo Global Management group, led by billionaire Joshua Harris, bought the 76ers.

Harris, who has family in Philadelphia and allegedly has a strong connection to the city and the team, is hoping to turn the Sixers into a championship contender with his surplus of cash, as a first-round loss was clearly unacceptable.

Perhaps Andre Iguodala has a bit more incentive to stay.

Worth: $1.45 billion

26. Daniel Gilbert

There are undoubtedly few women who could break Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Daniel Gilbert's heart the way LeBron James did when he darted for South Beach.

However, the chatty chief has plenty else to laugh about, considering he founded Rock Financial in 1985 and it became one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the country.

When it was bought by Intuit Inc. in 2000, Gilbert stayed as the CEO. He then bought back the company, which had been renamed "Quicken Loans," in 2002. He still serves as the chairman.

Unfortunately for the Cavs, their owner wasn't influential enough to keep "The King" in Cleveland.

Worth: $1.5 billion

25. Robert McNair

Known as the majority owner of the Houston Texans, Robert McNair made his money when he sold power operator Cogen Technologies to Enron in 1999.

With stakes in a plethora of power plants in New York and West Virginia, McNair undoubtedly wishes his team would produce the same success on the field that he does financially.

While Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson surely gives him goosebumps, this pose reeks of doubt.

Worth: $1.5 billion

24. John Fisher

While he is known as the youngest son of his Gap-founding parents and owns more shares in the $8.7 billion company than any of his relatives, albeit not being on the board, John Fisher's most notable appearances have come as owner of the Oakland Athletics.

However, he and co-owner Lew Wolff were ridiculed for their attempts to move the team to San Jose.

With a small stake in the Earthquakes of the MLS and 90 percent of the Athletics under his name, Fisher can seemingly do whatever he pleases.

Worth: $1.5 billion

23. Michael Heisley

While this businessman did attempt to sell his 70 percent controlling stake in the Memphis Grizzlies to a group headlined by Christian Laettner and Brian Davis in 2006, Michael Heisley eventually held on to the franchise when the buying group missed a deadline and there were no other bidders willing to pay the $300 million price tag.

Involved in Heico Holding, Inc. and The Heico Companies, LLC, among others, the owner of the Grizzlies has to be thrilled with the progress of the team this past season.

However, he looks skeptical here.

Worth: $1.5 billion

22. Donald Sterling

The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers is undoubtedly excited about the prospect of watching budding star Blake Griffin slam basketballs in the hoop for years to come.

The real estate mogul and attorney acquired what was one of the least successful franchises in California in 1981 for $12.5 million.

They seem close to fruition.

Worth: $1.5 billion

21. Herbert Simon

While he is known as an American real estate magnate, Herbert Simon is better referred to as a money magnet.

A billionaire who resides in Indiana seemingly has only one responsibility on his plate—buy part of the Indiana Pacers.

Chairman emeritus of the shopping mall developer Simon Property Group and co-owner of the Indiana Pacers, Simon now has much more in his agenda book.

Perhaps Tyler Hansbrough can fundamentally help out.

Worth: $1.6 billion

20. Robert Kraft

It's easy for the owner of The Kraft Group to smirk when he also owns the New England Patriots.

When Robert Kraft bought an option on the parcel adjacent to the stadium in 1985, it became the first in his many steps towards becoming owner.

In 1988, he outbid everyone to buy the stadium, saving it from bankruptcy. The $25 million included the stadium's lease to the Pats, and this eventually helped him buy the team.

Worth: $1.7 billion

19. Henry Samueli

As co-founder, senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Broadcom Corporation, Henry Samueli has clearly accomplished plenty, but it's his ownership of the Anaheim Ducks that brings the greatest fan appreciation.

He bought the franchise in 2005 for $75 million from the Walt Disney Company. It paid immediate dividends, as the team won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

Worth: $1.7 billion

18. Glen Taylor

While he hasn't had a chance to cheer the play of the Minnesota Timberwolves in recent years, Glen Taylor has been dancing with joy since watching his Minnesota Lynx win their first WNBA title.

He worked at a print shop during and after college and eventually turned it into the Taylor Corporation.

Taylor was a Republican Minnesota State Senator for nine years during the '80s.

Currently the chairman of the Board of Governors for the NBA, Taylor has plenty to smile about, despite being outbid by Zygi Wilf for the Minnesota Vikings in 2005.

Worth: $1.8 billion

17. Jeremy Jacobs

While the owner of the Boston Bruins has clearly put a potent team on the ice during his tenure, his role as Chairman and CEO of Delaware North Companies is his most significant contribution.

In a tie for the No. 277 ranking on the Forbes 400, Jeremy Jacobs joined other entrepreneurial owners in spending their earnings in sports.

Quite the influence.

Worth: $1.9 billion

16. Jerry Jones

He may be despised by NFL fans, opposing executives and players as the free-spending owner of the Dallas Cowboys, but Jerry Jones has done quite well for himself.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1965, where he played running back, Jones was hired by his father's insurance company as executive vice president.

He started an oil and gas exploration business in Arkansas after several failed business attempts and essentially hit gold.

Jones now continues to search for a similarly successful formula for his current Cowboys.

Worth: $1.9 billion

15. Michael Ilitch

He may own the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, who are currently in the ALCS against the Texas Rangers, but Michael Ilitch's ability to successfully feed starving mouths since 1959 with his founding of Little Caesars Pizza has brought him the most respect.

Ilitch has been smack in the middle of downtown redevelopment in Detroit after he purchased and developed the Fox Theatre.

A first-generation American of Macedonian descent, he'll be kissing the right hand of 24-game winner Justin Verlander if the Tigers win the World Series.

Worth: $2 billion

14. Mark Cuban

This man is rarely mundane, often erupting in the stands after a blown call or an explosive basket. However, after his Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA Finals, his confidence undoubtedly grew even stronger.

The owner of Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures, and the chairman of HDNet, Mark Cuban is now garnering more fans with his part-time participation on the television series Shark Tank.

His potential was clear when at age 12, he sold garbage bags to pay for basketball shoes.

He started the company MicroSolutions and then sold it in 1990 to CompuServe for $6 million.

The rest is history, as his wealth only grew with every promising investment.

Worth: $2.3 billion

13. Tom Gores

The new owner of the Detroit Pistons knows he's rich considering he bought the house next door in Beverly Hills and connected the two with a gate, as well as put a soccer field in his backyard.

Tom Gores founded Platinum Equity LLC in 1995. Over the past five years, the company has garnered at least $8 billion annually with over 100 companies.

In June of 2011, Gores purchased the Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment.

Joe Dumars will surely go on a shopping frenzy.

Worth: $2.5 billion

12. Terrence Pegula

This American businessman was evidently tired of the natural gas drilling company he founded when he sold East Resources to Royal Dutch Shell for around $4.7 billion.

After counting his cash, Terrence Pegula donated $88 million for the construction of the Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State University's campus. In 2011, he bought the Buffalo Sabres for $189 million.

Fans and players were undoubtedly excited with the strong investment. Clearly a sports enthusiast, Pegula also gets to enjoy watching his daughter Jessica play tennis on the United States Tennis Association's Pro Circuit.

Worth: $3.1 billion

11. Stephen M. Ross

His team may be 0-4 and bereft of its starting quarterback for the rest of the season, but Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross has plenty to smile about.

The founder, chairman and CEO of The Related Companies, L.P., Ross owns 95 percent of the Dolphins, as well as 95 percent of their home, Sun Life Stadium.

The business school at the University of Michigan was even renamed in his honor after receiving $100 million from him. It's now creatively called the Ross School of Business.

Worth: $3.1 billion

10. Ronald Burkle

Part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins with Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle was always a businessman.

After dropping out of college, he founded Yucaipa Companies, a private equity firm. However, he is most known as a Democratic supporter and fundraiser, having totalled over one million dollars for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.

As if it wasn't obvious that presidential campaigns are all business.

Worth: $3.2 billion

9. Stan Kroenke

This entrepreneur not only created his own wealth, but improved it by marrying the daughter of Wal-Mart co-founder Bud Walton.

Stan Kroenke is not only the majority shareholder of English football club Arsenal, but he is also the owner of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, which includes the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Rams, as well as the less renowned Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League. 

The true definition of a power couple.

Worth: $3.2 billion

8. Ted Lerner

The owner of MLB's Washington Nationals, real estate developer Ted Lerner is close to bringing promise to Washington and exciting a beleaguered fanbase.

While he founded Lerner Enterprises in 1952, which has a partnership in Chelsea Piers, the Tysons II commercial development and a plethora of shopping centers, offices and homes, Lerner's hand in the Nationals franchise is most closely watched.

He may have placed most of his faith in the futures of Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, but it's no longer a mystery how the team could afford to give Jayson Werth a seven-year, $126 million contract last offseason.

Worth: $3.3 billion

7. Micky Arison

Despite watching his team lose to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals this year, Miami Heat owner Micky Arison seemingly has no worries about the future. Considering his luck, he shouldn't.

An Israeli-American businessman, Micky Arison is the Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise operator in the world.

He must be smiling about the new LeBron James commercial.

Worth: $4.2 billion

6. John C. Malone

While he may be known most for being the owner of the Atlanta Braves, John C. Malone is quickly gaining respect for having surpassed Ted Turner in 2011 as the largest individual private landowner in the United States. He owns over two million acres of land.

Ranked No. 69 on the Forbes 400, Malone was the CEO of Tele-Communications Inc. for 24 years and is now the chairman of Liberty Media and CEO of Discovery Holding Company.

Sweatshirts always seem to reek of power. Just ask Bill Belichick.

Worth: $4.5 billion

5. Hiroshi Yamauchi

The creator of Nintendo, who ran his company for 55 years before retiring in 1995, saw his stock drop five percent from the competition of Apple and seemingly felt inclined to call it quits.

Hiroshi Yamauchi did, however, buy the Seattle Mariners in 1992 and turn them into a perennial contender.

Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese-born everyday position player and has become an exciting future Hall of Famer who continues to approach 3,000 hits.

This man made it happen.

Worth: $4.6 billion

4. Richard DeVos

If the Orlando Magic are hoping to hold on to their star center Dwight Howard, they'll need Richard DeVos to reach deep in his pockets for that extra cash.

He is not only the co-founder of Amway, but this American businessman also owns the illustrious Orlando Magic.

While he is ranked No. 60 on the Forbes 400, his serving in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II is his most honorable achievement.

Worth: $5 billion

3. Phil Anschutz

This entrepreneur took some chances and came out a rich man.

After buying his father's drilling company in 1961, Phil Anschutz earned large returns in Wyoming. Clearly he believed you have to spend money to make money, considering he invested in stocks, real estate and railroads.

He then decided to bring his strong investing skills to entertainment companies. He co-founded Major League Soccer, as well as buying the Los Angeles Kings out of bankruptcy in 1995.

While he owns stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers, Staples Center, O2 Arena and the Home Depot Center as well, his No. 39 rank on the Forbes 400 is his greatest accomplishment so far.

Worth: $7 billion

2. Paul Allen

While Bill Gates may be arguably the most well-known businessman in the United States, his partner Paul Allen had a helping hand in the founding of Microsoft.

The owner of the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, Allen is worth $13.2 billion, which puts him eons ahead of his competition.

He may have multi-billion-dollar investments in plenty of other entities, but cofounding Microsoft is all that was needed to carry Allen to the top.

Worth: $13.2 billion

1. Mikhail Prokhorov

This Russian billionaire may be the only man on this list with the size to play for the team he owns.

The 6'8" owner of the New Jersey Nets garnered wealth in metals and banking but is known for buying the NBA franchise in 2009.

While he was in charge of Norilsk Nickel, he turned the company into the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and was given the French Legion of Honor for his efforts in Franco-Russian cultural exchange. He is also spending $200 million to help produce Russia's first hybrid.

Acquiring star point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz after losing out on Carmelo Anthony is perhaps his flashiest accomplishment.

He hopes it leads to future success when the team moves to Brooklyn.

Worth: $18 billion