List of professional sports team owners
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This is a list of individuals, groups of individuals, and companies who have owned and operated a professional sports organization. The list is organized first by sport, then by franchise or team, then by Owner. If an organization has gone through a significant change (e.g. the team has moved and/or changed names), that information is noted after the years of ownership.
Contents |
[edit] Association football club owners
[edit] England
Main article: List of English football club owners
[edit] Premier League owners
- Owned by a large number of shareholders until 1968. Since that time:
- Doug Ellis (largest single shareholder 1968–1975; majority shareholder 1982–2006)
- Randy Lerner (2006–present)
- Birmingham City Football Club plc (largest owner: Carson Yeung)
- Moores family, among them John Moores and David Moores (1930s-2007)
- George Gillett, Tom Hicks (2007–2010)
- New England Sports Ventures (2010–present); LeBron James acquired a minority interest in April 2011
- Manchester City Limited — The club's holding company; owned by a large number of shareholders until 2007 (see Ownership of Manchester City F.C.). Since then, the holding company has been owned by:
- Thaksin Shinawatra (2007–2008)
- Abu Dhabi United Group (2008–present)
- Milan Mandarić (1998–January 2006)
- Mandarić (50%) and Alexandre Gaydamak (50%) (January 2006–July 2006)
- Gaydamak (100%) (July 2006–2009)
- Sulaiman Al-Fahim (2009–present)
- Drumaville Consortium (2006–2009)
- Ellis Short (2009–present)
- ENIC Sports plc (Joe Lewis)
- Terry Brown (??–2006)
- Björgólfur Guðmundsson (90%), Eggert Magnússon (5%), and other minority investors (2006–2007)
- Björgólfur Guðmundsson (2007–2009)
- CB Holding (formerly 70% owned by Straumur Investment Bank and 30% owned by Byr and MP banks; now nationalised by the Icelandic government) (100% 2009–2010; no more than 50% 2010–present)
- David Gold and David Sullivan (50% and operational control, 2010–present)
- Jack Hayward (1990–2007)
- Steve Morgan (2007–present)
[edit] Football League Championship owners
- Steve Gibson (1986–1993 as head of consortium; 1993–present as majority owner)
[edit] Major League Soccer owners
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (1997–2007)
- Andrew Hauptman (Andell Holdings) - (2007–Present)
- Jorge Vergara and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro - (2004–Present)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (1995–2003)
- Stan Kroenke - (2003–Present)
- Because soccer is exempt from the NFL's cross-ownership rules, Kroenke can hold his interest in the Rapids.
- Lamar Hunt - (1995–2006)
- Clark Hunt - (2006–Present)
- Because soccer is exempt from the NFL's cross-ownership rules, Clark Hunt can hold his interest in the Crew.
- Washington Soccer, LP - (1995–2000)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (2001–2006)
- William H.C. Chang (D.C. United Holdings) - (2006–Present)
- FC Dallas
(Dallas Burn from 1996–2004)
- Lamar Hunt - (1995–2006)
- Clark Hunt - (2006–Present)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (2005–2008)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group, Oscar De La Hoya and Gabriel Brener - (2008–Present)
- L.A. Soccer Partners, LP - (1995–1997)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (1998–Present)
- Montreal Impact
(Joining in 2012)
- Joey Saputo - (2010–Present)
- Robert Kraft - (1995–Present)
- Red Bull GmbH - (2006–Present)
- Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC - (2008–Present)
- Merritt Paulson - (2009–Present)
- Dave Checketts (SCP Worldwide) - (2004–Present)
- Major League Soccer - (1996–1998)
- Robert Kraft - (1999–2000)
- Silicon Valley Sports Entertainment - (2001–2002)
- Silicon Valley Sports Entertainment and Anschutz Entertainment Group - (2002–2003)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group - (2003–2005)
- Lewis Wolff and John Fisher (Earthquakes Soccer, LLC) - (2007–Present)
- Majority Owner
Joe Roth
Minority Owners
Adrian Hanauer, Paul Allen and Drew Carey -(2007–Present)
- Sporting Kansas City
(Kansas City Wizards from 1996–2010)
- Lamar Hunt - (1995–2006)
- Sporting Club - (2006–Present)
(OnGoal, LLC from 2006–2010)
- Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment - (2006–Present)
- Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash - (2009–Present)
[edit] Italian Serie A owners
[edit] Greek Superleague owners
[edit] Auto racing owners & team principals
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[edit] Formula One team principals
(Listed by Constructor)
- Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol (main owners)
- McLaren Group - Daimler AG 40%, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company 30%, Ron Dennis 15% and Mansour Ojjeh 15%
- Daimler AG — 45.1%
- Aabar Investments — 30%
- Ross Brawn (team principal), Nick Fry — collectively own 24.9%
- Red Bull GmbH 50%, Gerhard Berger 50%
[edit] NASCAR Sprint Cup team owners
- BAM Racing currently on hiatus
- Beth Ann Morgenthau - (2002–Present)
- Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc.
- Felix Sabates - (1989–2009)
- Chip Ganassi - (2001–2009)
- Dale Earnhardt Inc. merger with Chip Ganassi Racing
- Dale Earnhardt - (1996–2001)
- Teresa Earnhardt - (2001–2009)
- Teresa Earnhardt - (2009–Present)
- Felix Sabates - (2009–Present)
- Chip Ganassi - (2009–Present)
- Gillett Evernham Motorsports merger with Petty Enterprises in 2009
- Ray Evernham - (2000–2009)
- George Gillett - (2007–2009)
- Brad Jenkins - (2005–Present)
- Barney Visser - (2005–Present)
- Haas CNC Racing 50% business interest with Tony Stewart
- Gene Haas - (2002–2009)
- Rick Hendrick - (1984–Present)
- Joe Gibbs - (1992–Present)
- Michael Waltrip - (2002–Present)
- Morgan-McClure Motorsports currently on hiatus
- Larry McClure, Tim Morgan - (1983–Present)
- Roger Penske - (1972–Present)
- Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports
- Lee Petty - (1949–1964)
- Richard Petty - (1965–2009)
- Richard Childress - (1969–Present)
- Richard Petty (main interests) - (2009–present)
- George N. Gillett, Jr. (main interests) - (2009–present)
- Ray Evernham (minority interests) - (2009–present)
- Boston Ventures (minority interests) - (2009–present)
- Robby Gordon - (2005–Present)
- Jack Roush – (1988–2007)
- Jack Roush (50%) - (2007–Present)
- Fenway Sports Group (50%) – (2007–present)
- Tony Stewart, Gene Haas – (2009–present)
- Dietrich Mateschitz - (2007–Present)
- Glen Wood - (1953–Present)
- Yates Racing merged car No. 98 with Richard Petty Motorsports
- Robert Yates - (1989–2007)
- Doug Yates - (2008–2009)
[edit] Baseball franchise owners
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[edit] Major League Baseball owners
- Jerry Colangelo - (1998-2005)
- Ken Kendrick - (2005-Present)
- Ivers Whitney Adams - (1870–1872): Boston Red Stockings
- John Conkey - (1872–1873): Red Stockings
- Charles Porter - (1873–1874): Red Stockings
- Nicholas Apollonio - (1875–1876): Red Stockings
- Arthur Soden - (1876–1909): Boston Red Caps/Beaneaters
- George & John Dovey - (1907–1909): Boston Beaneaters/Doves
- John Dovey - (1909–1910): Doves
- William Hepburn Russell - (1911): Boston Rustlers
- James Gaffney - (1912–1915): Boston Braves
- Percy Haughton - (1915–1918)
- George W. Grant - (1919–1922)
- Emil Fuchs - (1922–1935)
- Bob Quinn - (1935–1945)
- Lou Perini - (1944–1962): Boston/Milwaukee Braves
- William Bartholomay - (1962–1976): Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves
- Ted Turner - (1976-1996)
- Time Warner - (1996-2007)
- Liberty Media - (2007-Present)
- Henry Killilea - (1901–1902) Milwaukee Brewers
- Robert Hedges - (1902–1915) St. Louis Browns
- Phil Ball - (1915–1933)
- Donald Lee Barnes - (1936–1945)
- Richard Muckerman - (1945–1948)
- Bill DeWitt - (1948–1951)
- Bill Veeck - (1951–1953)
- Jerold Hoffberger & Clarence Miles - (1954–1955) Baltimore Orioles
- Jerold Hoffberger & James Keelty - (1955–1959)
- Jerold Hoffberger & Joe Iglehart - (1959–1965)
- Jerold Hoffberger - (1965–1979)
- Edward Bennett Williams - (1979–1988)
- Eli Jacobs - (1989–1993)
- Peter Angelos - (1993-Present)
- Charles Somers - (1901–1903)
- Henry Killilea - (1903–1904)
- John I. Taylor - (1904–1914)
- Jimmy McAleer - (1911–1913)
- Joseph Lannin - (1913-1916)
- Harry Frazee - (1916–1923)
- Bob Quinn - (1923–1933)
- Tom Yawkey - (1933–1976)
- Jean R. Yawkey - (1976–1992)
- JRY Trust - (1992–2002)
- Fenway Sports Group (formerly New England Sports Ventures) (John Henry, Tom Werner, and other investors, including The New York Times Company) - (2002-Present)
- William A. Hulbert - (1876–1882)
- Albert G. Spalding - (1882–1902)
- James Hart - (1902–1905)
- Charles W. Murphy - (1905–1914)
- Charles Phelps Taft - (1914–1916)
- Charles Weeghman - (1916–1921)
- The Wrigley family - (1921–1981)
- William Wrigley, Jr. - (1921–1932)
- Philip K. Wrigley - (1932–1977)
- William Wrigley III - (1977–1981)
- Tribune Company - (1981-2009)
- Joe Ricketts family trust, with Tom Ricketts exercising day-to-day control (2009–present)
- Charles Comiskey - (1900–1931)
- J. Louis Comiskey - (1931–1940
- Grace Comiskey - (1940–1956)
- Dorothy Comiskey Rigney & Chuck Comiskey - (1956–1958)
- Bill Veeck - (1958–1961)
- Arthur Allyn, Jr. & John Allyn - (1961–1969)
- John Allyn - (1969–1975)
- Bill Veeck - (1975–1981)
- Jerry Reinsdorf - (1981–Present)
- Justus Thorner - (1882–1890)
- John T. Brush - (1890–1902)
- August Herrmann - (1902–1927)
- C. J. McDiarmid - (1927–1929)
- Sidney Weil - (1929–1933)
- Powel Crosley, Jr. - (1933-1961)
- Bill DeWitt - (1961–1967)
- Francis L. Dale - (1967–1973)
- Louis Nippert - (1973–1980)
- William & James Williams - (1980–1984)
- Marge Schott - (1984-1998)
- Carl Lindner, Jr. - (1998-2006)
- Robert Castellini - (2006-Present)
- Charles Somers - (1901–1916)
- Jim Dunn - (1916–1922)
- Alva Bradley - (1927–1946)
- Bill Veeck - (1946–1949)
- Ellis Ryan - (1949–1952)
- Myron H. Wilson - (1952–1956)
- William R. Daley - (1956–1962)
- Gabe Paul - (1962–1966)
- Vernon Stouffer - (1966–1972)
- Nick Mileti - (1972–1975)
- Ted Bonda - (1972–1978)
- Steve O'Neill - (1978–1983)
- Richard Jacobs - (1986–1999)
- Larry Dolan - (1999-Present)
- Jerry McMorris - (1993–2005)
- Monfort brothers - (2005-Present)
- George Vanderbeck - (1894–1900)
- James D. Burns - (1901–1902)
- Samuel F. Angus - (1902–1903)
- Bill Yawkey - (1903–1908)
- Bill Yawkey & Frank Navin - (1908–1919)
- Frank Navin - (1919–1935)
- Walter Briggs, Sr. - (1935–1952)
- Walter Briggs, Jr. - (1952–1956)
- Fred Knorr & John Fetzer - (1956–1961)
- John Fetzer - (1961–1983)
- Tom Monaghan - (1983–1992)
- Mike Ilitch - (1992-Present)
- Wayne Huizenga - (1993-1998)
- John W. Henry - (1998-2002)
- Jeffrey Loria - (2002-Present)
- Roy Hofheinz - (1962–1975)
- General Electric & Ford Motor Company - (1975–1979)
- John McMullen - (1979–1993)
- Drayton McLane, Jr. - (1992-present)
- Ewing Kauffman - (1969-1993)
- David Glass - (2000-Present)
- Gene Autry - (1961 - 1996)
- The Walt Disney Company - (1996 - 2003)
- Arturo Moreno - (2003-Present)
- Charles Byrne, Ferdinand Abell - (1883–1890)
- Charles Byrne, Ferdinand Abell, George Chauncey - (1891–1897)
- Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell - (1897–1898)
- Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Harry Von der Horst, Ned Hanlon - (1899–1904)
- Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Henry Medicus, Ned Hanlon - (1905–1906)
- Charles Ebbets, Henry Medicus - (1907–1912)
- Charles Ebbets, Ed McKeever, Stephen McKeever - (1912–1925)
- Stephen McKeever, heirs of Charles Ebbets and Brooklyn Trust Company - (1925–45)
- Branch Rickey [1], Walter O'Malley, Andrew J. Schmitz. [2] Other minority owners included: John A. Smith, and the heirs of Steve McKeever - (1945–1950)
- Walter O'Malley - (1950–1970), majority owner, at 75 percent, with the Mulvey family representing the McKeever interest
- Peter O'Malley - (1970–1997)
- News Corporation - (1998–2005)
- Frank McCourt - (2005–2012)
- The Dodgers are to be sold no later than April 30, 2012 as part of the settlement of an ownership dispute stemming from the divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt.
- William Daley - (1969-1970) — Seattle Pilots
- Bud Selig - (1970-2005)
- Wendy Selig-Prieb (1992–2005; acting owner of the team in place of her father)
- Mark Attanasio - (2005-Present)
- Ban Johnson & Fred Postal - (1901 - 1903) - Washington
- Thomas C. Noyes - (1904 - 1912) - Washington
- Benjamin Minor - (1912 - 1920) - Washington
- Clark Griffith - (1920 - 1955) - Washington
- Calvin Griffith - (1955 - 1984)
- Carl Pohlad - (1984-2009)
- Jim Pohlad - (2009-Present)
- Joan Whitney Payson - (1962–1975)
- Charles Shipman Payson - (1975–1980)
- Doubleday & Co. - (1980–1986)
- Nelson Doubleday, Jr. & Fred Wilpon - (1986–2002)
- Fred Wilpon - (2002-Present)
- William Devery and Frank Farrell, co-owners 1903-1915
- Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston and Jacob Ruppert, co-owners 1915-1922 [1]
- Jacob Ruppert, sole owner 1922-1939
- Heirs of Jacob Ruppert, 1939–1945
- Ed Barrow β, team president 1939-1944, chairman 1945
- Larry MacPhail β, co-owner, 1945–1947
- Dan Topping, co-owner, 1945–64
- Del Webb, co-owner, 1945–64
- Columbia Broadcasting System, 1964–1973
- Team presidents: Dan Topping, 1964–1966; Michael Burke, 1966–1973
- George Steinbrenner, 1973-2010 (Principal Owner, Chairperson)
- YankeeNets, 1999-2004 (Formed after a merger of the business operations of the Yankees and New Jersey Nets.)
- Yankee Global Enterprises LLC, 2004–present (New name for YankeeNets after the Nets were sold to Bruce Ratner. Company owns the Yankees and the YES Network. Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, acting principal owners since 2007, principal owners since 2010)
- Ben Shibe - (1901–1922) — Philadelphia Athletics
- Connie Mack - (1922–1954)
- Arnold Johnson - (1954–1960) — Kansas City Athletics
- Charlie Finley - (1960–1981) — Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
- Walter Haas - (1981–1995)
- Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann - (1995–2005)
- Lewis Wolff - (2005-present)
- Al Reach & John Rogers - (1883–1899)
- John Rogers - (1899–1903)
- James Potter - (1903–1905)
- Bill Shettsline - (1905–1909)
- Horace Fogel - (1909–1913)
- William Baker - (1913–1930)
- Gerald Nugent - (1931–1942)
- William B. Cox - (1943)
- R. R. M. Carpenter - (1943–1950)
- Robert Carpenter - (1950–1972)
- Ruly Carpenter - (1972–1981)
- Bill Giles & David Montgomery - (1981-present)
- Denny Mcknight (1881–1887) - Alleghenys
- William A. Nimick (1887–1891) - Alleghenys/Pirates
- William Kerr & Phil Auten (1891–1900)
- Barney Dreyfuss - (1900–1932)
- Bill Benswanger - (1932–1946)
- John W. Galbreath - (1946–1985)
- Pittsburgh Associates - (1985–1996)
- Kevin McClatchy - (1996–2007)
- Robert Nutting - (2007–Present)
- C. Arnholt Smith - (1969–1974)
- Ray Kroc - (1974–1984)
- Joan Kroc - (1984–1990)
- Tom Werner - (1990–1994)
- John Moores - (1994–2009)
- Jeff Moorad - (2009-present)
- John Day - (1882-1893)
- C. C. Van Cott - (1893-1895)
- Andrew Freedman - (1895-1902)
- John Brush - (1902-1912)
- Harry Hempstead - (1912-1919)
- Charles Stoneham - (1919-1936)
- Horace Stoneham - (1936-1976)
- Bob Lurie - (1976-1993)
- Peter Magowan - (1993-2008)
- Bill Neukom - (2008-present)
- Danny Kaye - (1977–1980)
- George Argyros - (1980–1989)
- Jeff Smulyan - (1989–1992)
- Hiroshi Yamauchi - (1992–present)
- Chris von der Ahe - (1882–1899)
- Frank & Stanley Robison - (1899–1911)
- Helene Hathaway Britton - (1911–1917)
- Sam Breadon - (1917-1947)
- Robert Hannegan - (1947-1949)
- Fred Saigh - (1947-1953)
- Anheuser-Busch - (1953-1995)
- William DeWitt, Jr. - (1995-present)
- Vince Naimoli - (1998–2005)
- Stuart Sternberg - (2005–present)
- Elwood Richard Quesada - (1961–1963)
- James Johnson & James Lemon - 1963-1967)
- James Lemon - (1967–1968)
- Bob Short - (1968–1974)
- Brad Corbett - (1974–1980)
- Eddie Chiles - (1980–1989)
- Richard Rainwater and George W. Bush (managing general partner) - (1989–1998)
- Tom Hicks - (1998–2010)
- Rangers Baseball Express (Chuck Greenberg, Nolan Ryan, and other investors) – (2010–present)
- Labatt Brewing Company - (1976–2000)
- Rogers Communications - (2000-Present)
- Charles Bronfman - (1969–1991) (Montreal Expos)
- Claude Brochu - (1991–1999) (Expos)
- Jeffrey Loria - (1999-2002) (Expos)
- Major League Baseball - (2002-2006)
- Theodore N. Lerner - (2006-Present)
[edit] Nippon Professional Baseball owners
In Japanese baseball, teams are traditionally owned by companies and bear that company's name. The only team that does not currently bear a corporate name is the Yokohama BayStars, whose owner has chosen not to attach its name to the team. The company identifier is indicated in bold type in the owner list.
- Nankai Electric Railway (1938–1988)
- Daiei (1988–2005)
- SoftBank Corporation (2005–present)
- Matsuda family (the founding family of Mazda — about 60%); Mazda (34.2%); other minority shareholders
- The "Toyo" name comes from the former corporate name of Mazda, Toyo Kogyo.
- Senators (1946) – Did not use a corporate name. Owned by retired Japanese statesman Kinkazu Saionji.
- Tokyu Flyers (1947) – Tokyu Corporation (100%)
- Kyuei Flyers (1948) – Tokyu and Daiei (50-50)
- Tokyu Flyers (1949–1953) – Tokyu (100%)
- Toei Flyers (1954–1972) – Toei Company
- Nittaku Home Flyers (1973) – Not directly owned by a corporation, but bore a corporate name nonetheless. The team was owned that season by Akitaka Nishimura, owner of Nittaku Home.
- Nippon-Ham Fighters (1974–2003), Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2004–present) – Nippon Ham
- Prince Hotels (a part of the Seibu Group)
- Kokutetsu Swallows (1950–1965) – Japanese National Railways, known as Kokutetsu in Japanese
- Sankei Swallows (brief period in 1965) – Sankei Shimbun
- Sankei Atoms (1965–1968) – Sankei Shimbun
- Atoms (1969) – Sankei Shimbun (chose to drop its corporate name from the team)
- Yakult Atoms (1970–1973), Yakult Swallows (1974–2005), Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2006–present) – Yakult
- Taiyō Whales (1950–52) – Taiyō Fishing Company (100%)
- Taiyō-Shōchiku Robins (1953) – Taiyō and Shōchiku (50-50)
- Yō-Shō Robins (1954) – Taiyō and Shōchiku (50-50)
- Taiyō Whales (1954–1977), Yokohama Taiyō Whales (1978–1992) – Taiyō (100%)
- Yokohama BayStars (1993–present) – Taiyō changed its name to Maruha Corporation, and chose to drop its corporate name from the team.
[edit] Basketball team owners
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This section requires expansion. |
[edit] Continental Basketball Association owners
[edit] National Basketball Association owners
- Walter A. Brown, team founder and original owner (1946–September 7, 1964)
- Lou Pieri and Marjorie Brown, wife of team founder (September 7, 1964– June 24, 1965)
- Marvin Kratter/Knickerbocker Brewing Company, subsidiary of National Equities (June 24, 1965–1968)
- Ballantine Brewery, subsidiary of Investors Funding Corporation (1968–1969)
- Trans-National Communications (1969–1971)
- Ballantine Brewery, subsidiary of Investors Funding Corporation (1971–1972)
- Irv Levin and Harold Lipton (April 1972-May 1972) Sale not approved by NBA [2]
- Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology (May 1972–January 1975)
- Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology, Irv Levin, and Harold Lipton (January 1975–November 1975) [3]
- Irv Levin and Harold Lipton (November 1975-1978)
- John Y. Brown, Jr. and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1978–1979)
- Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1979–1983)
- Don Gaston, Alan N. Cohen, Paul Dupee (1983–1993)
- Paul Gaston (1993–2002)
- Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C. — consisting of Wycliffe Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca, and H. Irving Grousbeck (2002–present)
- Robert L. Johnson (principal owner 2004–2010); Michael Jordan, Cornell Haynes, Jr. (aka Nelly) later purchased minority interests
- Michael Jordan (majority owner, 2010–present); Johnson retained a minority interest, and Nelly's interest is not known to be affected by Jordan's purchase
- Nick Mileti (1970–1979)
- Joe Zingale (minority owner, ?-1979; majority owner, 1979–1980)
- Ted Stepien (1980–1983)
- Gordon and George Gund III (1983–2004)
- Dan Gilbert, Usher Raymond, Gordon Gund (2004–present)
- Stan Kroenke
- Kroenke, previously a minority owner of the NFL's St. Louis Rams, acquired full ownership in 2010. Under the NFL's cross-ownership rules, principal team owners are prohibited from owning teams in any other professional sport (except soccer) in a different NFL market. In keeping with NFL rules, he transferred operational control to his son Josh Kroenke in late 2010, and has until December 2014 to divest his interest in the Nuggets.
- Fred Zollner (1948–1974)
- William Davidson (1974–2009)
- Karen Davidson (2009–2011)
- Tom Gores (2011-present)
- Herbert and Melvin Simon
- Paul Snyder (1970–1976, Buffalo Braves)
- John Y. Brown, Jr. (1976–1978, Buffalo Braves majority owner)
- Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. (1976–1978, Buffalo Braves minority owner)
- Irv Levin (1978–1981, Buffalo Braves/San Diego Clippers)
- Donald Sterling (1981–present, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers)
- Bob Short (1959–1965, Minneapolis-Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jack Kent Cooke (1965–1979)
- Jerry Buss (principal owner, 1979–present)
- Bill Daniels (minority owner, estimated timeframe early 1980s to early 1990s)
- Anschutz Entertainment Group (minority owner, 1999–present)
- Earvin "Magic" Johnson (4.5% stake, 1994–2010)[4]
- Patrick Soon-Shiong (2010–present; acquired Johnson's former interest)[4]
- Milwaukee Professional Sports and Services, Inc. (aka Milwaukee Pro), headed by Wesley Pavalon and Marvin Fishman (1968–76)
- Jim Fitzgerald (principal owner, 1976–85)
- U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (1985–present)
- Glen Taylor (1994–present)
- Arthur Brown (1967–69)
- Roy Boe (1969–1978)
- The "Secaucus Seven", a group of local New Jersey businessmen led by Jay Taub and Alan Cohen (1978–1998)
- Local New Jersey real estate developers (1998–99)
- YankeeNets, a joint venture between the developers and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (1999–2003)
- Bruce Ratner (principal owner 2003–2010), Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z) and other minority owners
- Mikhail Prokhorov (principal owner, 2010–present); interest of owners other than Ratner not known to be affected
- George Shinn (100%, 1988–2007; Charlotte/New Orleans)
- Shinn (75%) and Gary Chouest (25%) (2007–2010)
- National Basketball Association (2010–present) — The NBA purchased the team in December 2010 after a planned sale of Shinn's interest to Chouest fell through.
- Sam Schulman - (1967–1983) (Seattle SuperSonics)
- Barry Ackerley - (1983–2001) (SuperSonics)
- Howard Schultz - (2001–2006) (SuperSonics)
- Professional Basketball Club, LLC — principal owner Clay Bennett, minority owners Aubrey McClendon and Tom L. Ward
- Herman Sarkowsky, Robert Schmertz, and Larry Weinberg (1970–1972)
- Herman Sarkowsky & Larry Weinberg (1972–1975)
- Larry Weinberg (1975–1988)
- Paul Allen (1988–present)
- Allen is the principal owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. At the time he purchased the Seahawks in 1997, the NFL had a blanket prohibition of cross-ownership (apart from soccer), but the league soon modified the rule to allow NFL owners to own teams in other leagues under either of the following conditions:
- The other team is in the same market as the owner's NFL team.
- The other team is in a market without an NFL team, as is the case with Portland.
- Allen is the principal owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. At the time he purchased the Seahawks in 1997, the NFL had a blanket prohibition of cross-ownership (apart from soccer), but the league soon modified the rule to allow NFL owners to own teams in other leagues under either of the following conditions:
- Maloof family (operated by Joe and Gavin Maloof)
- Sam Battistone (1970–1985), New Orleans/Utah Jazz
- Battistone and Larry Miller (50-50, 1985–1986)
- Miller (100%, 1986–2009)
- Estate of Larry Miller (2009–present)
- David Trager (1961–1964) — Chicago Packers/Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets
- Abe Pollin (majority owner), Earl Foreman, Arnold Heft (1964–68) — Baltimore Bullets
- Pollin (100%, 1968–1999) — Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, Washington Wizards
- Pollin (56%) and Ted Leonsis (44%) (1999–2009)
- Estate of Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis (2009–2010)
- Ted Leonsis (2010–present)
[edit] Gridiron football franchise owners
[edit] National Football League owners
Main article: List of NFL franchise owners
- Chris O'Brien (1898–1929) — Morgan Athletic Club (Chicago, 1898–1899?), Racine Normals (still in Chicago, 1899?–1901), Racine Cardinals (1901–1921), Chicago Cardinals (1922–1959)
- Dr. David Jones (1929–1933)
- Charles Bidwill (1933–1947)
- Violet Bidwill, later Violet Bidwill Wolfner (1947–1962) — Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals
- Bill Bidwill and Charles Bidwill, Jr. (1962–1972)
- Bill Bidwill (1972–present) — St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals
- Rankin M. Smith, Sr. (1966–1997)
- Taylor Smith (1997–2002)
- Arthur Blank (2002–present) — owns over 90%; seven minority partners own the rest, with Warrick Dunn the latest addition in March 2010[5]
- Art Modell - 1996-2004
- Steve Bisciotti - 2004–present
- Ralph Wilson (1960–present)
- Jerry Richardson (1995–present)
- A. E. Staley (1919–1921) — Decatur/Chicago Staleys
- George Halas (1921–1983)
- Virginia Halas McCaskey (1983–present)
- Paul Brown (1968–1991)
- Mike Brown (1991–present)
- Arthur B. "Mickey" McBride (1946–1953)
- David Jones (1953–1961)
- Art Modell (1961–1995)
- Operations suspended franchise held in "Cleveland Browns Trust" 1996–1998. See Cleveland Browns relocation controversy for more details.
- Al Lerner (1998–2002)
- Randy Lerner (2002–present)
- Clint Murchison (1960–1984)
- Bum Bright (1984–1989)
- Jerry Jones (1989–present)
- Bob Howsam (1960–1961)
- Gerald Phipps (1961–1981)
- Edgar Kaiser (1981–1984)
- Pat Bowlen (1984–present)
- George A. Richards (1934–1940)
- Fred Mandel (1940–1948)
- Edwin J. Anderson (1948–1964)
- William Clay Ford, Sr. (1964–present)
- J.E. Clair, Earl "Curly" Lambeau, George Whitney Calhoun (1919–1922)
- The "Hungry Five" (Lambeau, Andrew B. Turnbull, Gerald Francis Clifford, Dr. W. Webber Kelly and Leland H. Joannes; 1922–1935)
- Green Bay Packers Board of Directors (the group responsible for the operations of the publicly owned Green Bay Packers, Inc., originally Green Bay Football Corporation; 1935–present)
- Robert C. McNair (2002–present)
- Carroll Rosenbloom (1953–1972)
- Robert Irsay (1972–1997) — Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
- Jim Irsay (1997–present)
- Wayne Weaver (1995–present)
- Lamar Hunt (1960–2006) — Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
- Hunt family, led by Clark Hunt (2006–present)
- Joe Robbie and Danny Thomas (1965–1966?)
- Joe Robbie (1966?–1990)
- Robbie family and Wayne Huizenga (1990–1993)
- Wayne Huizenga (100%, 1993–2008)
- Stephen M. Ross (50%) and Huizenga (50%) (2008–2009)
- Ross (up to 95%) and Huizenga (5%) (2009–present) — unknown, but likely small, percentages also owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Buffett, Fergie, and Serena and Venus Williams
- Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund, Max Winter, Bernie Ridder, and Ole Haugsrud (1961–1972)
- Skoglund, Winter, Ridder, and Haugsrud (1972–1976)
- Skoglund, Winter, and Ridder (1976–1988)
- Skoglund, Winter, Ridder, Carl Pohlad, and Irwin Jacobs (1988–1991)
- Roger Headrick (1991–1998)
- Red McCombs (1998–2005)
- Zygi Wilf and family, and Reggie Fowler (2005–present)
- Billy Sullivan (1960–1987)
- Victor Kiam (1987–1992)
- James Orthwein (1992–1994)
- Robert Kraft (1994–present)
- John W. Mecom, Jr. (1967–1985)
- Tom Benson (1985–present)
- The Mara Family (1925–present; 100 percent ownership, 1925–1991, 50 percent ownership since 1991)
- Tim J. (1925–1959)
- Jack (1930–1965)
- Wellington (1930–2005)
- Tim (1965–1991)
- John (2005–present)
- The Tisch Family (1991–present; 50 percent ownership)
- Harry Wismer (1960–1964)
- Leon Hess, Sonny Werblin, Phil Iselin (1964–1977)
- Leon Hess (1977–1999)
- Estate of Leon Hess (1999–2000)
- Woody Johnson (2000–present)
- Limited partnership led by Y. Charles (Chet) Soda (1960)
- F. Wayne Valley and Ed McGah (1961–1966)
- Valley, McGah and Al Davis (1966–1976)
- Davis and McGah (1976–1983) - Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Davis (1983–2011) — Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
- Estate of Davis (2011–present)
Note: This list reflects the actual control of the franchise. The ownership structure is considerably more complicated. Notably, it was reported that Davis owned only a 47% stake in the team when he died in 2011, although he exercised near-total control as the president of the team's general partner. See the relevant section of the team article for more details.
- Bert Bell and Lud Wray (1933–1940)
- Bell and Alexis Thompson (1940–1946)
- Thompson and 63 stockholders (1946–1963)
- Jerry Wolman (1963–1969)
- Leonard Tose (1969–1985)
- Norman Braman and Ed Leibowitz (1985)
- Braman (1986–1994)
- Jeffrey Lurie (1994–present)
- Art Rooney (1933–1988)
- Dan Rooney (1988–present)
- Homer Marshman (1936–1941?) — Cleveland Rams
- Dan Reeves (1941–1971) — Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams
- Robert Irsay (1971–1972)
- Carroll Rosenbloom (1972–1979)
- Georgia Frontiere (1979–1995) — Los Angeles Rams
- Georgia Frontiere (60%) and Stan Kroenke (40%) (1995–2008) — St. Louis Rams
- Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez (combined 60%), and Stan Kroenke (40%) (2008–2010)
- Stan Kroenke (100%, 2010–present)
- Barron Hilton (1960–1966)
- Gene Klein (majority owner) and Sam Schulman (1966–1984)
- Alex Spanos (1984–present)
- Tony Morabito, Victor Morabito, Allen E. Sorrell and E.J. Turre (1946)
- Tony and Victor Morabito (1947–1953)
- Morabito, Morabito, and Al Ruffo (1953–1957)
- Josephine Morabito, Victor Morabito, and Ruffo (1957–1964)
- Josephine Morabito, Elizabeth Morabito, and Ruffo (1964–1977)
- Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. and Denise DeBartolo York (1977–2000)
- Denise DeBartolo York and John York (2000–present)
- Jed York (2008-present)
- Nordstrom family (1976–1988)
- Ken Behring (1988–1997)
- Paul Allen (1997–present)
- Hugh Culverhouse (1976–1994)
- Hugh Culverhouse, Jr. (1994–1995)
- Malcolm Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Joel Glazer, and Ed Glazer (1995–present)
- Bud Adams (1960–present) — Houston/Tennessee Oilers, Tennessee Titans
- George Preston Marshall (1932–1969) — Boston Braves, Boston/Washington Redskins
- Edward Bennett Williams (1969–1974)
- Jack Kent Cooke and Edward Bennett Williams (1974–1985)
- Jack Kent Cooke (1985–1997)
- Jack Kent Cooke foundation (1997–1999)
- Daniel Snyder (1999–present)
[edit] Canadian Football League owners
[edit] Hockey franchise owners
[edit] National Hockey League owners
- The Walt Disney Company – 1993–2005
- Henry & Susan Samueli – 2005–present
- Charles Adams – 1924–1936
- Weston Adams, Sr. – 1936–1951
- Walter A. Brown – 1951–1964
- Weston Adams, Sr. – 1964–1969
- Weston Adams, Jr. – 1969–1973
- Storer Broadcasting – 1973–1975
- Jeremy Jacobs – 1975–present
- Seymour Knox III and Northrup Knox – 1970–1996
- John Rigas – 1996–2002
- National Hockey League – 2002–2003
- Tom Golisano and Larry Quinn – 2003–2011
- Terrence Pegula – 2011–present
- Peter Karmanos, Jr. – 1997–present
- Frederic McLaughlin – 1926–1944
- Estate of Frederic McLaughlin – 1944–1946
- James E. Norris and Bill Tobin – 1946–1952
- James D. Norris and Arthur Wirtz – 1952–1966
- Bill Wirtz – 1966–2007
- William R. "Rocky" Wirtz – 2007–present
- Charlie Lyons – 1995–2000
- E. Stanley Kroenke – 2000–present
- As noted in the NBA section, Kroenke must now divest his interest in the Avalanche by December 2014 under NFL rules, as he became the full owner of the St. Louis Rams in 2010. As with the Nuggets, he transferred operational control of the Avalanche to his son Josh Kroenke in late 2010.
- John P. McConnell – 2000–present
- Norman Green – 1991-1995 (Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars)
- Tom Hicks – 1995–present
- Charles A. Hughes – 1926–1931
- Creditors' Committee – 1931–1933
- James E. Norris – 1933–1952
- Marguerite Norris – 1952–1955
- Bruce Norris – 1955–1982
- Mike Ilitch – 1982–present
- Peter Pocklington – 1979–1998
- Edmonton Investors Group Limited Partnership – 1998–2008
- Daryl Katz – 2008–present
- Wayne Huizenga – 1993–2001
- Alan Cohen and Bernie Kosar – 2001–2009
- Sunrise Sports & Entertainment – 2009-Pres.
- Jack Kent Cooke – 1967–1979
- Jerry Buss – 1979–1987
- Bruce McNall – 1987–1994
- Joseph Cohen and Jeffrey Sudikoff – 1994–1995
- Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski, Jr. (AEG) – 1995–present
- Bob Naegele, Jr. – 1997–2008
- Craig Leipold – 2008–present
- J. Ambrose O'Brien – 1909–1910
- George Kennedy – 1910–1921
- Joseph Cattarinich, Leo Dandurand, and Louis Letourneau – 1921–1930
- Joseph Cattarinich and Leo Dandurand – 1930–1935
- Ernest Savard, Maurice Forget, and Louis Gelinas – 1935–1940
- Donat Raymond and William Northey – 1940–1957
- Hartland Molson and Tom Molson – 1957–1964
- David Molson, Peter Molson, and William Molson – 1964–1971
- Edward Bronfman and Peter Bronfman – 1971–1978
- Molson Brewing Company – 1978–2001
- George N. Gillett, Jr. – 2001–2009
- Geoff Molson, Andrew Molson, and Justin Molson – 2009–present
- Craig Leipold – 1998–2007
- David Freeman – 2007–present
- John McMullen – 1982–2000
- YankeeNets – 2000–2004
- Jeffrey Vanderbeek – 2004–present
- Roy Boe – 1972–1978
- John Pickett – 1978–1997
- John Spano – 1997
- Howard Milstein and Steven Gluckstern – 1997–2000
- Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar – 2000–2006
- Charles Wang – 2006–present
- Madison Square Garden, Inc. – 1926–present
- Bruce Firestone – 1992
- Rod Bryden – 1992–2003
- Eugene Melnyk – 2003–present
- Ed Snider – 1967–1996
- Comcast Spectacor and Ed Snider – 1996–present
- Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke – 1996–1998
- Richard Burke – 1998–2001
- Steve Ellman, Wayne Gretzky, and Jerry Moyes – 2001–2006
- Wayne Gretzky and Jerry Moyes – 2006–2009
- National Hockey League – 2009–present
- Jack McGregor and Peter Block – 1965–1968
- Donald Parsons – 1968–1971
- Peter Block, Elmore Keener, and Peter Burchfield – 1971–1975
- National Hockey League – 1975
- Al Savill, Otto Frenzel, and Wren Blair – 1975–1976
- Al Savill and Otto Frenzel – 1976–1977
- Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. – 1977–1991
- Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg, and Thomas Ruta – 1991–1997
- Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg, Thomas Ruta, and Roger Marino – 1997–1999
- Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle – 1999–present
- Gordon and George Gund – 1991—2001
- San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises – 2001–present
- Sid Salomon, Jr., Sid Salomon III, and Robert Wolfson – 1967–1977
- Ralston Purina – 1977–1983
- Harry Ornest – 1983–1986
- Michael Shanahan, Sr. – 1986–1999
- Bill Laurie and Nancy Walton Laurie – 1999–2005
- Dave Checketts – 2005–present
- Kokusai Green – 1992–1998
- Arthur L. Williams, Jr. – 1998–1999
- William Davidson – 1999–2007
- Oren Koules and Len Barrie – 2007–2010
- Jeffrey Vinik – 2010–present
- Toronto Arena Company – 1917–1919
- Charles Querrie – 1919–1927
- Conn Smythe – 1927–1961
- Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard, and John Bassett – 1961–1970
- Stafford Smythe and Harold Ballard – 1970–1972
- Harold Ballard – 1972–1990
- Estate of Harold Ballard – 1990–1991
- Steve Stavro – 1991–1996
- Steve Stavro and Larry Tanenbaum – 1996–1998
- Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. – 1998–present
- Thomas Scallen – 1970–1974
- Frank Griffiths – 1974–1988
- Arthur Griffiths – 1988–1997
- John McCaw, Jr. – 1997–2004
- John McCaw, Jr. and Francesco Aquilini – 2004–2006
- Francesco Aquilini – 2006–present
- Abe Pollin – 1974–1999
- Ted Leonsis – 1999–present
- Winnipeg Jets (formerly Atlanta Thrashers)
-
- Thrashers
- Time Warner – 1999–2004
- Atlanta Spirit, LLC – 2004–2011
- Jets
- True North Sports and Entertainment – 2011–present
[edit] Rugby union club owners
[edit] Aviva Premiership (England)
- Andrew Brownsword (??–2010)
- Bruce Craig (2010–present)
- Owned by a large number of investors until 1997
- Tom Walkinshaw (1997–2010)
- Ryan Walkinshaw (December 2010–present)
- John Hall (1996–1999)
- Dave Thompson (1999–present)
[edit] RaboDirect Pro12
- Eight rugby clubs in Italy: Rugby Viadana 54%, Colorno 15%, Gran Parma Rugby 10%, Rugby Parma 10%, Noceto 5%, Reggio Emilia 2%, Modena 2% and Mantova 2%.[6]
- After the formation of Aironi, Gran Parma, Viadana and Colorno merged to form GranDucato Rugby Parma,[7] and Rugby Parma and Noceto merged to form Crociati Parma Rugby.[8][9]
- All are owned and operated by the respective provincial branches of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the sport's governing body throughout the island of Ireland.
- Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union
- Neath RFC and Swansea RFC (50-50 partnership)
[edit] Top 14 (France)
- Daniel Derichebourg[10]
- Derichebourg has put the club up for sale.
- Paul Goze[10]
- Jacky Lorenzetti[11]
- Max Guazzini (majority owner, 1992–June 2011); unknown percentage also owned by Christophe Dominici in the last years of Guazzini's ownership
- Jean-Pierre Savare (majority owner, June 2011–)[12]
[edit] References
- ^ "Yankees Timeline". Major League Baseball. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/timeline1.jsp. Retrieved 2007-06-18. "May 21, 1922: Col. Ruppert buys out Col. Huston for $1.5 million."
- ^ "Celtics' owner dispute is more confused than ever". The Tuscaloosa News. July 22, 1974. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QUYgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7195,4210919&dq. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ "New Owner But Red Is Still Boss of Celts". Lewiston Evening Journal. Jan 14, 1975. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JaMgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mGgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5462,1797882&dq. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ a b "Magic Johnson sells Lakers shares". ESPN.com. 2010-10-18. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5700193. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ Yasinskas, Pat (2009-12-17). "Dunn to own piece of Falcons". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4750819. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6010504,00.html
- ^ http://rugby1823.blogosfere.it/2010/06/super-10-e-alla-fine-fu-granducato-parma-rugby.html
- ^ http://www.sportparma.com/rugby_sport_parma/5924-Rugby-Parma-Noceto-storia-infinita.html
- ^ http://guide.supereva.it/rugby/interventi/2010/06/la-fusione-tra-rugby-parma-e-noceto-sintomo-di-unepoca
- ^ a b c Moriarty, Ian (2009-11-11). "French rugby heading for crisis". Scrum.com. http://www.scrum.com/france/rugby/story/105248.html. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "Stade Francais secure top flight status". ESPN Scrum. 27 June 2011. http://www.espnscrum.com/francetop14-2010-11/rugby/story/142372.html?e=headline. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
