For most of the past three years, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has held the title as the richest owner in the NFL, but that changed on Tuesday after the NFL officially approved the sale of the Denver Broncos to Rob Walton.
The Walmart heir agreed to buy the team in June, but the sale didn't officially go through until Tuesday when the NFL's 32 owners approved Walton's $4.65 billion purchase.
Walton now becomes the richest owner in the NFL and the second-richest sports owner in North America, trailing only Steve Ballmer. The former CEO of Microsoft, who owns the Los Angeles Clippers, is worth an estimated $89.4 billion
Walton, who is the son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is worth an estimated $59.8 billion, according to the latest numbers from Forbes. Not only does that make him the 20th richest person in the world, but it also means that he has more money than the NFL's five richest owners COMBINED.
Jerry Jones ($11.8 billion), Stan Kroenke (10.7), Robert Kraft ($8.3), Stephen Ross and Tepper ($16.7 billion) have a combined value of $55.7 billion, which is still $4.1 billion lower than Walton.
Here's what the list of richest owners will look like as of today (via Forbes data as of August 9)
Top 15 richest owners in the NFL
1. Rob Walton, Broncos: $58.2 billion
2. David Tepper, Panthers: $16.7 billion
3. Jerry Jones, Cowboys:$11.8 billion
4. Stan Kroenke, Rams: $10.7 billion
5. Robert Kraft, Patriots: $8.3 billion
6. Stephen Ross, Dolphins$8.2 billion
7. Shahid Khan, Jaguars: $7.7 billion
8. Arthur Blank, Falcons:$6.9 billion
T-9. Stephen Bisciotti, Ravens: $5.8 billion
T-9. Terry Pegula, Bills: $5.8 billion
11. Janice McNair, Texans: $4.2 billion
T-12. Dan Snyder, Commanders:$4 billion
T-12. Denise York, 49ers: $4 billion
14. Jimmy Haslam, Browns:$3.9 billion
15. Gayle Benson, Saints$3.8 billion
FAQs
The Walmart heir agreed to buy the team in June, but the sale didn't officially go through until Tuesday when the NFL's 32 owners approved Walton's $4.65 billion purchase. Walton, who is the son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is worth an estimated $59.8 billion, according to the latest numbers from Forbes.
Who is the heir to the Walmart NFL owner? ›
In a recent update, the NFL's 31 other owners and financial committee approved the sale of the Broncos to the Walton-Penner family after a unanimous decision. The family ownership group will be led by Rob Walton, heir to the Walmart retail fortune.
Who is the richest owner in the NFL? ›
Despite the Kansas City Chiefs' popularity, Clark Hunt and his family rank second with a net worth of $24.8 billion. Surprisingly, the wealthiest owner is Rob Walton, the heir to the Walmart empire.
Which NFL team is owned by Walmart? ›
Denver Broncos: Rob Walton
The oldest heir to the Walmart fortune, Walton is the head of the Walton-Penner ownership group -- a collective that includes Starbucks CEO Mellody Hobson, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, among others.
What percentage of the Broncos do the Waltons own? ›
Greg Penner, who succeeded Rob Walton as Walmart's chairman in 2015, and Carrie Walton Penner each held 30% of the team -- for a combined Walton-Penner stake of 94%. The three other Broncos owners -- Hobson, Hamilton and Rice -- combine to hold the other 6%.
What teams do the Walmart family own? ›
Heiress to the Walmart fortune, Ann and her sister, Nancy Walton Laurie, inherited stock from their father, Bud Walton (died 1995), who was the brother and an early business partner of Walmart founder Sam Walton. She is the owner of the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.
What sports team did Walmart heir buy? ›
The record $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to Walmart heir Rob Walton and his daughter and son-in-law was unanimously approved Tuesday by NFL owners, the expected final step in the transfer from the family of the late Pat Bowlen.
Is every NFL player a millionaire? ›
The vast majority of NFL players are not millionaires. Most NFL players earn a salary of approximately $480,000 to $600,000 per year, which is what you'd earn on a rookie contract for your first four years in the league.
Who is the richest family in football? ›
But the richest of them all is Broncos owners, the Walton-Penner ownership group, whose total net worth stands at $59 billion. The reason behind being in the number one spot is that the Walton family is the owner of Walmart, along with other prominent executives, including Greg Penner, their CEO.
What billionaire owns an NFL team? ›
Stan Kroenke leads NFL billionaires
The richest person within the sporting world is Stan Kroenke, whose net worth is $16.2 billion according to Forbes. Kroenke owns the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, who play in the most expensive stadium in the world, $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium.
Company co-founder Arthur Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise of the National Football League in February 2002; Blank later acquired an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer, Atlanta United FC, in April 2014 with the soccer club beginning play in March 2017.
What family owns two NFL teams? ›
She is a great-granddaughter of both New York Giants founder Tim Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr. Her mother's side of the family has held ownership in the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers football team since its formation in 1933, and her father's side of the family has held ownership in the NFL's New ...
Who owns the XFL? ›
On August 3, 2020, it was reported that a consortium led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale (through Cardinale's fund RedBird Capital Partners) purchased the XFL for $15 million just hours before an auction could take place; the purchase received court approval on August 7, 2020.
Is Peyton Manning part owner of the Denver Broncos? ›
Despite speculation, Manning was never officially connected to one of the final four bidding groups for the Broncos. Rob Walton, Greg Penner and Carrie Penner reached a purchase agreement for the Broncos on Tuesday for $4.65 billion, while adding Mellody Hobson to their group.
What does John Elway do now? ›
With his retirement from football, Elway will be focusing on his other businesses, which include restaurants and car dealerships. He also plans on making the most out of his QTR, or "Quality Time Remaining." Elway's legacy in football is secure, but his retirement marks the end of an era for the Denver Broncos.
Where do the Walmart heirs live? ›
About the 5&10
In 1950, the Walton family – Sam and Helen, sons, Rob, John, and Jim, and daughter Alice Walton – moved to Bentonville in northwest Arkansas from the eastern side of the state.
Who owns the Walton family NFL team? ›
Penner and Carrie Walton Penner, Walton's daughter, have run the team since the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group bought the franchise from the Pat Bowlen Trust in August 2022 for a then-record $4.65 billion.
Did Walmart heir buy the Denver Broncos? ›
The Denver Broncos and the Walton-Penner family, led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, have entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the takeover of the team. The family will acquire the Broncos from the Pat Bowlen Trust in a deal reportedly worth $4.65 billion, a record for an American sports franchise.
What sports teams do the Walton family own? ›
Colorado Avalanche (NHL): Owned by Ann Walton Kroenke. Denver Broncos (NFL): Owned by Rob Walton. Colorado Mammoth (NLL): Owned by Stan Kroenke. Denver Nuggets (NBA): Owned by Ann Walton Kroenke.
Does the owner of Walmart own the Broncos? ›
He joined Walmart in 1969, and prior to becoming chairman, he held a variety of positions with the company, including senior vice president, corporate secretary, general counsel and vice chairman. Rob Walton is in his first year as Owner of the Denver Broncos.
