Clippers’ Steve Ballmer is America’s richest sports owner for eighth consecutive year

Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer is America’s richest sports activities proprietor for the eighth consecutive yr, in keeping with Forbes.

Why it issues: It isn’t simply that Ballmer tops the listing; it is by how a lot.

• The previous Microsoft CEO is value greater than 4 occasions as a lot because the next-richest NBA proprietor.
• And 37% greater than another proprietor throughout the Large 4 sports activities leagues.

High 5 by league:

• NBA: Ballmer, Clippers ($78 billion); Robert Pera, Grizzlies ($17.9 billion); Dan Gilbert, Cavaliers ($16.1 billion); Ann Walton Kroenke, Nuggets ($8.4 billion); Tilman Feritta, Rockets ($7.7 billion)
• NFL: Rob Walton, Broncos ($57.1 billion); David Tepper, Panthers ($18.5 billion); Jerry Jones, Cowboys ($15.8 billion); Stan Kroenke, Rams ($12.9 billion); Stephen Ross, Dolphins ($11.6 billion)
• MLB: Steve Cohen, Mets ($17.5 billion); Ted Lerner and household, Nationals ($6 billion); Todd Boehly, Dodgers ($5.3 billion); Mark Walter, Dodgers ($5.2 billion); Charles B. Johnson, Giants ($4.6 billion)
• NHL: Phil Anschutz, Kings ($10.8 billion); Walton Kroenke, Avalanche ($8.4 billion); Terry Pegula, Sabres ($6.7 billion); David Bonderman, Kraken ($6.5B billion); Henry Samueli, Geese ($6.1 billion)

The massive image: Greater than 10% of Forbes 400 members personal a sports activities staff. However even amongst these ultra-wealthy homeowners, Ballmer stands in a league of his personal.

• Whereas the Warriors face questions about their league-high payroll, we have heard nary a peep concerning the Clippers’ payroll, which is simply $1 million much less.
• Warriors possession is cautious of their ballooning luxurious tax invoice, which may attain ~$500 million subsequent yr, which is comprehensible given it is one-third of majority proprietor Joe Lacob’s internet value.
• For Ballmer, that might symbolize simply 0.6% of his internet value.
• Actually, he is spending extra ($2 billion) than Lacob’s internet value ($1.5 billion) to privately fund a new arena. Fairly a bonus.

The underside line: Followers usually complain when homeowners make cost-conscious team-building selections, however even billionaires have limits. Properly, most billionaires, not less than.