List of current NFL franchise owners

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The NFL forbids corporations, religious groups, governments, and non-profit organizations from owning stakes in teams. [1] The NFL requires a controlling owner to hold at minimum a 30% stake in the team and forbids ownership groups of over 24 people; one team, the Green Bay Packers, is exempt from this under a grandfather clause and is owned by shareholders. The Houston Texans are also grandfathered in for their home county the Harris County, Texas, government which owns 5% of the team, as the rule forbidding governments from owning a team became effective in 2007. The NFL's constitution also forbids its owners from owning any other professional football teams, although an exception was made for teams from the now-defunct Arena Football League located in the NFL team's home market. In addition, the controlling owners of NFL teams were previously only permitted to own major league baseball, basketball and hockey teams if they were in the NFL team's home market, or were not located in other NFL cities. [2] Institutional investors were historically forbidden from purchasing stakes in NFL teams until an August 2024 rule change; that December, it approved the sale of portions of the Dolphins and Buffalo Bills to private equity firms. [3]

Soccer has been exempt from these restrictions since 1982, when the league lost a lawsuit filed by the original NASL stemming from the investments of Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and Elizabeth Robbie, the wife of Miami Dolphins founder Joe Robbie in NASL teams; [4] as a result, NFL owners have owned teams in MLS in other NFL markets. In October 2018, the NFL owners voted to relax the cross-ownership rule, allowing controlling NFL owners to own other professional teams within NFL markets outside their home market. [5] The league also informally requires prospective owners to have high liquidity in their assets and positive cash flow; having a majority of one's wealth invested in real estate is often grounds for rejection. [6]

The following is a list of current owners of National Football League (NFL) franchises:

List of current NFL franchise owners
FranchisePrincipal ownerSinceNotesRef.
Arizona Cardinals 2019 Grandson of Charles Bidwill, who acquired the team in 1933 [7]
Atlanta Falcons 2002 Majority owner [8]
Baltimore Ravens 2004 Majority owner [9]
Buffalo Bills 2014 Principal owner; his wife Kim Pegula owns roughly the same share [10]
Carolina Panthers 2018 [11]
Chicago Bears 2025 Grandson of George Halas, whose family has owned the team since its founding in 1920. McCaskey took over as principle owner following the death of his mother Virginia Halas McCaskey in 2025. [12]
Cincinnati Bengals 1991 Son of Paul Brown, who founded the team in 1968 [13] [14]
Cleveland Browns 2012 Principal owner; his wife Dee Haslam owns roughly the same share [15] [16]
Dallas Cowboys 1989 [17]
Denver Broncos 2022 Principle owner of an group that includes Greg Penner, Carrie Walton Penner, Mellody Hobson, Condoleezza Rice, and Lewis Hamilton. [18] [19]
Detroit Lions Sheila Ford Hamp 2020 Daughter of William Clay Ford Sr., who acquired the team in 1964 [20]
Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers, Inc. 1923 Public corporation with a grandfathered exception to modern NFL ownership rules. The team is governed by a board of directors with president and CEO Mark Murphy representing the team.
Houston Texans Cal McNair 2024 Son of founding owner Bob McNair [21]
Indianapolis Colts 1997 Son of Robert Irsay, who acquired the team in 1972 [22]
Jacksonville Jaguars 2012 [23]
Kansas City Chiefs 1960 Principle owner; son of team founder Lamar Hunt [24]
Las Vegas Raiders 1971 Principle owner; his mother Carol Davis owns roughly the same share. Tom Brady became a limited partner in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers 1994 Son of Alex Spanos, who acquired the team in 1984 [25] [26]
Los Angeles Rams 2010 [27]
Miami Dolphins 2008 Principal owner [28]
Minnesota Vikings 2005 Principal owner [29]
New England Patriots 1994 [30]
New Orleans Saints 2018 Wife of Tom Benson, who acquired the team in 1985 [31]
New York Giants 2005 Principal owner; his grandfather Tim Mara founded the team in 1925. Executive vice president and board chairman Steve Tisch owns 50% of the team through his father Preston Robert Tisch, who acquired that share in 1991. [32]
New York Jets 2000 Principal owner; his brother Christopher Johnson served that role during Woody's time as the 66th US Ambassador to the UK from November 2017 to January 2021. [33]
Philadelphia Eagles 1994 [34]
Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 Part of the Rooney family, with his grandfather Art Rooney founding the team in 1933. [35]
San Francisco 49ers 2009 Principal owner; his wife Denise DeBartolo York is the daughter of Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., who acquired the team in 1977, and owns roughly the same share. [36]
Seattle Seahawks Jody Allen 2018 Daughter of Paul Allen, who acquired the team in 1997 [37]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2014 Part of the Glazer family, with his father Malcolm Glazer acquiring the team in 1995 [38]
Tennessee Titans 2015 Daughter of Bud Adams, who founded the team as the Houston Oilers in 1960. [39] [40]
Washington Commanders 2023 Limited partners include Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, and Mark Ein. Other minority investors include David Blitzer, Lee Ainslie, Eric Holoman, Michael Li, Marc Lipschultz, Mitchell Morgan, Doug Ostrover, the Santo Domingo family, Michael Sapir, Eric Schmidt, and Andy Snyder. [41]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Constitution and Bylaws of the National Football League" (PDF). National Football League. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Constitution and Bylaws of the National Football League" (PDF). National Football League. 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ Primack, Tim; Baysinger, Dan (December 11, 2024). "Private equity buys into NFL's Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins". Axios. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  4. ↑ North American Soccer League v. National Football League, 670F.2d1249 ( 2d Cir. 1982).
  5. ↑ Farmer, Sam (October 16, 2018). "NFL owners vote to allow cross-ownership in cities with football teams". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Trump's failed bid to purchase Bills mentioned in Times article". WBEN. March 19, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Michael J. Bidwell". Arizona Cardinals . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  8. ↑ Starrs, Chris (September 17, 2018). "Arthur Blank". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  9. ↑ S.I. Staff (n.d.). "Steve Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ S.I. Staff (n.d.). "Kim and Terry Pegula, Buffalo Bills". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  11. ↑ Haislop, Tadd (May 22, 2018). "Who is Panthers' new owner? Fast facts about David Tepper". Sporting News. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ S.I. Staff. "Virginia Halas McCaskey, Chicago Bears". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  13. ↑ Kirkendall, Josh (December 23, 2011). "Brown Family Completes Deal To Purchase 30% Of The Cincinnati Bengals". Cincy Jungle. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ S.I. Staff (n.d.). "Mike Brown, Cincinnati Bengals". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Browns' Sale to Jimmy Haslam Done". ESPN. Associated Press. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ Schefter, Adam (August 2, 2012). "Sources: Browns Sold for Over $1B". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  17. ↑ Roy, Reagan (February 25, 2019). "On This Day: Jerry Jones buys Dallas Cowboys in 1989 for $140M". CBS19. Tyler, Texas: KYTX-TV. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ "NFL owners approve Walton-Penner group's purchase of Denver Broncos franchise". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. August 9, 2022. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  19. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (August 9, 2022). "'Putting a winning team on the field is our No. 1 priority': Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group unanimously approved, introduced as new Broncos owners". DenverBroncos.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  20. ↑ Birkett, Dave (June 23, 2020). "Sheila Ford Hamp replaces mother, Martha Firestone Ford, as Lions owner, chairman". USA Today . Detroit Free Press . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  21. ↑ "D. Cal McNair". Houston Texans . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Trading an NFL Franchise: A Brief History". Last Word on Sports. July 29, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  23. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (December 1, 2011). "Jaguars Buyer Had His Eye on Ownership of a Franchise". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Meet the Dallas billionaire responsible for the Kansas City Chiefs' resurgence". January 26, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ Ramirez, Fernando. "Understanding The Chargers Ownership News". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  26. ↑ Breech, John (April 1, 2021). "Chargers co-owner asks court to force sale of team due to mounting debts exceeding $350 million, per report". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Fleming: Reclusive NFL owner sparks chaos". ESPN. March 18, 2015. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  28. ↑ Hoffower, Hillary; Kaplan, Juliana. "Stephen Ross — Trump donor and Equinox chairman — has reportedly already donated $1 million toward NYC's next elections. Take a look at how one of the city's richest residents built his fortune". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Sources: Wilf family emerges as top Wolves suitor". ESPN. July 22, 2020. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  30. ↑ Gaines, Cork. "Robert Kraft saved the New England Patriots with a gutsy $175 million investment and it has paid off big time". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  31. ↑ Duncan, Jeff (September 29, 2021). "Someday, the Saints will be sold. Here's the plan and what it means for New Orleans". The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  32. ↑ "New York Giants ownership at a glance". ESPN. March 18, 2015. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  33. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (January 12, 2000). "The Jets Fill One Opening: New Owner at $635 Million". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  34. ↑ Tornoe, Rob (September 20, 2018). "Jeff Lurie bought the Eagles for $185 million. They're worth a lot more today". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  35. ↑ "History of Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc". FundingUniverse. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ S.I. Staff (n.d.). "Get to know the York family, the San Francisco 49ers' owners". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Council Oks Allen's Purchase Of Seahawks". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  38. ↑ Maiorana, Sal. "The billionaire Glazer family who owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has roots in Rochester". Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  39. ↑ Climer, David. "With Bud Adams' death, what lies ahead for Titans?". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  40. ↑ Boclair, David. "Adams Heirs to Remain Titans Owners". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  41. ↑ Keim, John (July 20, 2023). "NFL owners approve $6.05B sale of Commanders to Harris group". ESPn. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
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