Robert Kraft
Net Worth: $6.9 billion Owns: New England Patriots (NFL) American businessman Robert Kraft is the chairman and executive of the Kraft Group. The company has assets in a number of businesses, including paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio. Oh, and he owns the New England Patriots.
Kraft has been holding season tickets since 1971 – now, that’s dedication! He purchased the team in 1994 for $172 million, which at the time, was the highest figure paid for an NFL team. Seriously though, $172 million is not that much, considering the team is now worth $3.7 billion. The thing we like about Kraft though, is that he also likes to give back – he’s donated over $100 million to philanthropy.
Harold Steinbrenner
Net Worth: $3.2 billion Owns: New York Yankees There isn’t a team more synonymous with New York than the New York Yankees. Harold Steinbrenner inherited the team with his brother Hank from their father, George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner senior passed in 2010, and with his death, the team went into the hands of his capable sons.
The University of Florida MBA graduate was already in place to take over the day-to-day control of the Yankees, alongside his brother, with his father George ceding the reins to Hal from 2007. Steinbrenner is also the Chairman and CEO of Steinbrenner Hotel Properties, which has contributed to his fortune. On the weekends, Hal’s piloting skills are made use of – he’s got a GTO single-engine and a Cessna high-wing which he takes out every now and again.
Shaquille O’Neal
Net Worth: $400 million Owns: Sacramento Kings The big Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have graced the stadiums of the NBA. Standing at over seven feet tall, it’s no wonder the guy’s got game. But O’Neal hung up his jersey and basketball shoes up a few years ago, retiring to become a TV host on TNT.
Accolades aplenty, Shaquille O’Neal’s talent is undeniable. What’s also undeniable is his love for the sport. Being selected for fifteen All-Star games and a number of MVP awards, he decided to invest in the Sacramento Kings, using his inside knowledge to place his bet. Fun fact: O’Neal’s jersey number was retired when he retired. Now, that's cool.
Jerry Reinsdorf
Net Worth: $1.6 billion Owns: Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox Owner of the Chicago Bulls, next up is Jerry Reinsdorf. Now, he didn’t amass his fortune from sport – rather, he went the old-fashioned route, starting his career in the business world as an IRS tax lawyer. But it was property and real estate which proved the most lucrative for Reinsdorf.
The secret? In the late 70s, Reinsdorf would sell properties and then lease it back, taking advantage of the tax deduction that resulted from the depreciation in value. This clever little maneuver saw Reinsdorf rake in a lot of money. As such, he was able to purchase the Bulls in 1985. He also owns the Chicago White Sox!
Henry Samueli
Net Worth: $4.1 billion Owns: Anaheim Ducks (NHL) One guy who’s got enough money to hire a manager and play with his kids is Henry Samueli. The Buffalo, New York-born Samueli is the owner of the professional hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks. Swapping out New York for the beachside haven of Newport Beach California, he’s now a name in Orange County as a philanthropist.
He owes his fortune to owning Broadcom, Inc., a communications company. The former UCLA engineering professor is also the inventor of more than seventy US patents, and he’s won the Marconi Prize for his innovative communication inventions. Smart, rich and he owns a sports team. And now he can sun himself in Cali. What a life.