Ownership
Who owns the biggest clubs and franchises in sport, how they bought them, and what those teams are worth now.
Bundesliga 50+1 Rule: Upheld, With Conditions
On 12 August 2026 Germany's competition authority closed its case and ruled 50+1 permissible — but gave the DFL and four clubs homework to do.
Fan-Owned Football Clubs: Four Left in Spain
Barcelona has 141,000 socios, Real Madrid about 100,000 — and Real Madrid is preparing outside investment that would break the model.
Most Valuable Football Clubs: The Top Two Have No Owner
Real Madrid $9.5bn, Barcelona $7.5bn — both member-owned. Manchester United, privately held, dropped to third. Forbes' 2026 valuations, with the ownership overlay.
Most Valuable Sports Teams: The NFL Owns the List
The Dallas Cowboys are worth $13bn — and NFL franchises take 13 of the top 20. Real Madrid leads world football on $9.5bn and still ranks outside the top five.
Multi-Club Ownership: 42% of Europe's Biggest Clubs
City Football Group owns 13 clubs. Nearly 42% of Big Five league clubs sit under multi-club ownership — and UEFA's expanded format makes collisions likelier.
Premier League Owners: Three Clubs Left in British Hands
Eleven of the twenty Premier League clubs are American-owned, including four of the big six. Only Brentford, Brighton and Tottenham remain fully British.
Private Equity in Sports: The NBA Went to Eight
Every major US league now allows private equity. The NFL caps it at 10%. And since December 2025 one NBA fund can hold stakes in eight teams.
Who Owns Formula 1: And Why Red Bull Owns Two
Liberty Media bought F1 for $8bn in 2017 and it is now valued near $22bn. One group owns two of the eleven teams — something football would not permit.
Who Owns Manchester United: 69% vs 29%
The Glazers hold about 69% and the votes. Ratcliffe's INEOS holds 28.94% and runs football. Ownership and control sit with different people.
Who Owns NASCAR: One Family, Privately
NASCAR is a private company owned by the France family. Teams sued over it, the case settled on day nine of trial — and charters are now evergreen.
Who Owns the All Blacks: 26 Provincial Unions
New Zealand Rugby owns the All Blacks, and its 26 provincial unions own it. Silver Lake holds a stake in the commercial arm — which NZR may now buy back.
Who Owns the GAA: Its Own Members
Europe's fourth-largest stadium belongs to an amateur association run by volunteers. It turned €142m of revenue into a €3.7m surplus — on purpose.
Who Owns the WNBA: The NBA Holds 42%
The NBA owns 42% of the WNBA, franchise owners 42%, investors 16%. A team now costs $250m to join a league where one franchise is valued at $1 billion.
Who Owns NBA Arenas? All 30 Teams Explained
See who owns and operates every NBA arena in 2026, which buildings are publicly owned, and why naming sponsors usually are not the owners.
15 Richest NBA Owners in 2026, Ranked by Net Worth
Steve Ballmer is the NBA's richest owner in 2026. See the top 15 ranked by estimated wealth, team, business source and ownership cost.
Who Owns Arsenal? Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke and KSE
Arsenal is 100% owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. See Stan and Josh Kroenke's roles, the takeover timeline, price and other KSE teams.
Who Owns the Yankees? Steinbrenner Control Explained
The Steinbrenner family controls the Yankees through Yankee Global Enterprises. See Hal's role, Apollo's new stake and the ownership history.
Richest NFL Owners: All 32 Ranked by Net Worth
Every NFL ownership group ranked by owner net worth, with the year each bought in, what they paid, and what Forbes says the franchise is worth today.
Who Owns the Dallas Cowboys? Jerry Jones and a $13B Club
Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys since 1989, when he paid $140 million. His net worth, the family's roles, and why the club is worth $13 billion.