The Owners
They don't wear uniforms with their names on the back, and their stats aren't published in the papers every day. And with few exceptions they can still walk down a city street as anonymously as you or I. But these are hardly ordinary people. They are the team owners, the men and women who control sports in North America.
Here are SI's rankings of all the owners in the four major sports leagues, each listed according to his or her net worth. They are, as this compendium shows, a diverse lot, ranging from car dealers to senators, and selling everything from pizza to petroleum. At least half a dozen of them are college dropouts. And at least half a dozen are billionaires. The combined net worth of the 93 owners listed here is $32 billion, and the average net worth is nearly $340 million.
For the purposes of this list, when a team has more than one owner, we selected either the majority stockholder or the managing general partner. (In the case of the Texas Rangers there are two managing partners, George Bush and Edward Rose, so we listed both.) In some instances two or more individuals hold relatively equal amounts of stock. If they are equally active in team operations, as are Bob Tisch and Wellington Mara of the New York Giants, both are on the list. If one is clearly more heavily involved, we selected him.
The financial data are based on published information and expert appraisals of asset value and debt. For owners with holdings in publicly traded companies, the value of their shares was computed using the closing price on April 23, 1993. All figures are in U.S. dollars, and currency conversions were based on exchange rates on that same date.
Many of the owners' assets, including their teams, are privately held. To determine the value of those properties, we identified similar public companies and calculated a figure based on the current market value of those public counterparts, with appropriate adjustments. In some cases we used prices paid for similar companies in recent takeovers or buyouts. We also turned to analysts, brokers, appraisers and other authoritative sources for assistance. Many times the owners themselves, or their financial advisers, lent a hand. In every case final estimates were conservative.
Nobody knows precisely what each of the owners is worth. Some have very public holdings, but others are fiercely protective of financial information. They hide their money in private companies or bury their holdings in hard-to-value partnerships and trusts. In a few instances, when the financial estimates were particularly speculative, we added plus signs (+) to the net-worth figures, indicating that those owners may be worth substantially more than our estimates.
Several teams are owned entirely by a corporation or by a consortium without a dominant owner; we have listed those separately, on page 85.
1 Paul Allen
Portland Trail Blazers
Net Worth: $3.2 Billion
Founded Microsoft Corp., together with Bill Gates, in 1975, a few years after dropping out of college at Washington State. Left the daily management of Microsoft in '83 upon learning he had Hodgkin's disease, now in remission. Bought Trail Blazers in 1988. Travels in his private jet from Seattle, where he lives, to Portland for most home games. At age 40 enjoys sailing, chess and playing lead guitar in a rock band. Is financing the construction of a museum honoring Seattle native Jimi Hendrix.
2 Richard DeVos
Orlando Magic
Net Worth: $3 Billion
Cofounder of Amway Corp. Started the direct-sales distributor in 1959 in his Michigan basement with a $500 investment after failed attempts at running a flying school and an import-export business. Devout Christian; onetime finance chairman of Republican Party. Retired last year at age 66 as Amway president; turned operations over to eldest son. Bankrolled Orlando expansion franchise in 1989; owns team with his four children. Now lives in Grand Rapids, Mich.
3 Ted Arison
Miami Heat
Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
Owns some 65% of the Heat and about the same percentage of Carnival Cruise Lines. Born in Tel Aviv and educated at the American University in Beirut. Started Carnival in 1972 and built it into the world's largest cruise line. Generous philanthropist; in 1992 donated $14 million to the New World Symphony. Retired now, at age 69, has moved back to Israel—or, more precisely, off the coast of Israel, where he lives on a yacht in the Mediterranean. Seldom sees a Heat game, which is probably just as well, considering how the team performed last season, finishing a disappointing 36-46.
4 Ted Turner
Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks
Net Worth: $1.9 Billion
Biggest chunk of 54-year-old Turner's financial empire: his stock holdings in Turner Broadcasting, which owns both teams. Has a 110,000-acre ranch in Montana, plantations in Florida and South Carolina, and an island near Beaufort, S.C. Also has two consecutive National League pennants. Married to actress Jane Fonda, who accompanies him to games and who is herself worth a reported $40 million.
5 George III and Gordon Gund
Cleveland Cavaliers, San Jose Sharks
Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
Inherited wealth from father, George Jr., who parlayed a small Ohio brewery into a vast fortune including everything from real estate to cattle. Biggest play came when George Jr. purchased Kaffee Hag, a German decaffeinated-coffee company, in 1919 for a reported $130,000; in 1927 he sold the company to Kellogg's for 60,000 shares of stock worth an estimated $10 million. The decaffeination process became the basis for Sanka. Both George, 56, and Gordon, 53, are art patrons. Gordon heads Gund Investment of Princeton, N.J.; enjoys sculpting and, despite being blind, skiing. George, a financier, lives in San Francisco. The brothers together own Cavs and Richfield Coliseum; George has majority share of Sharks.
6 Hiroshi Yamauchi
Seattle Mariners
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
One of the richest men in Japan. The 64-year-old president of Nintendo and holder of 11% of the company's stock. Personally paid $75 million for 60% share of Mariners. When he was 21 he dropped out of college to take over family playing-card business; expanded into video games in the late '70s. Says he's "not interested" in baseball and doesn't like video games. Doesn't own a car or a house.
7 Bob Tisch
New York Giants
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
Owns 12% of Loews Corp. and 50% of Giants. Purchased his half of team in 1990; other half held by Wellington Mara (No. 65 in this list). Brooklyn-born and-raised. In 1946 bought, with his brother Larry—now CEO of CBS—and their father, a New Jersey resort called Laurel-in-the-Pines. Over the years brothers added other hotels, Loews theaters (since sold), Lorillard tobacco, CNA insurance, Bulova watches and CBS (of which they currently own 23%). Bob, now 67, took time off from corporate duties during Reagan administration to serve as postmaster general. Is presently the official—but unpaid—New York City ambassador to Washington. Has held Giant season tickets since the late '50s.
8 Jack Kent Cooke
Washington Redskins
Net Worth: $900 Million
Canadian-born. Played saxophone and clarinet in Percy Faith's band. Financed his first honeymoon by selling encyclopedias door-to-door. Sold household products for Colgate-Palmolive during the Depression, then hooked up with media mogul Roy Thomson, with whose backing he bought his first radio station, at age 25. Made his first million by 31. Copromoted the first Muhammed Ali—Joe Frazier fight, in 1971. Used to own the L.A. Lakers and Kings; wrote fight songs for both teams and built their home arena, now called the Great Western Forum. Bought the Chrysler Building in 1979, the L.A. Daily News in '85. Also has stable of racehorses, as well as farms in Kentucky and Virginia. Married four times; current wife did time for a cocaine rap in 1986. Age 80.
9 Carl Pohlad
Minnesota Twins
Net Worth: $900 Million
Born in Valley Junction (now West Des Moines), Iowa. Father a train brakeman and mother a laundress. One of eight children. Hopped a freight out of town after high school graduation in 1934. Went to Gonzaga University in Spokane on a football scholarship, then dropped out because he was making good money selling repossessed cars. Much decorated—Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars—as an Army second lieutenant in World War II. Took over Minneapolis bank after his CEO brother-in-law died in 1955 and grew it into a financial empire of more than 40 banks. Also made millions in bottling and in a series of corporate takeover plays with raider Irwin Jacobs. Owned a piece of the Minnesota Vikings from 1985 to '91. At age 78, is member of Executive Council and Player Relations Committee board of directors, the two most important committees in Major League Baseball.
10 Michael Ilitch
Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers
Net Worth: $900 Million
Son of Macedonian immigrant who worked as tool-and-die man at Chrysler. Played shortstop for Tampa Smokers in Tiger farm system but never made it to the bigs. Worked at a concrete company, then sold aluminum awnings door-to-door. In 1959 at age 29 opened first Little Caesar's pizzeria; he twirled dough while his wife, Marian, ran the register. Is now chairman (Marian is treasurer) of company with more than 4,500 franchises. Marian is also part owner of both Tigers and Red Wings.
11 William Davidson
Detroit Pistons
Net Worth: $800 Million
Owns approximately 60% of the Pistons, 80% of their home arena (Palace at Auburn Hills) and all of Guardian Industries, the world's fifth-largest glass manufacturer. Pistons earned an estimated $34 million last year. Age 72. A popular owner who refrains from interfering with his front office ("I do not profess to be an NBA expert," he says), does not panic during tough times and opens his checkbook when necessary.
12 Leon Hess
New York Jets
Net Worth: $765 Million
Son of a Lithuanian immigrant who ran a small fuel-delivery business in Asbury Park, N.J. Left school when he was 18 to drive a truck for his father. Reorganized the business after it went under during the Depression and, acting as both salesman and deliveryman, built it into the massive Amerada Hess Corp. it is today. A key figure in the construction of the Alaskan pipeline. Bought into Jets in 1963 when he was 48.
13 Walter A. Haas Jr.
Oakland Athletics
Net Worth: $620 Million
Great-great-nephew of Levi Strauss, who sold pants made of tent canvas to California prospectors during Gold Rush. Helped turn Levi Strauss & Co. from jeans maker into world's largest apparel manufacturer. Now retired, 77 years old. Owns about 4.3 million shares of Levi stock and an estimated 75% of the A's. Son Wally and daughter Betsy own the rest of team.
14 William Clay Ford
Detroit Lions
Net Worth: $600 Million
Grandson of automaker Henry Ford. Owns more than eight million shares of Ford stock and, at 68, serves as chairman of the executive and finance committees of the Ford board. Saw the Lions' first game in Detroit, in 1934, when he was nine. Bought the team in '63. Lions have not won an NFL championship since '57; his patience ran out in '73 when he kicked in TV set while watching team lose again. Married to the former Martha Firestone, a match made in auto heaven.
15 Wayne Huizenga
Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers
Net Worth: $600 Million
College dropout who got his start driving a garbage truck. Built trash-hauling business into Waste Management, Inc., largest waste-disposal company in U.S. Tried to retire in 1984 but couldn't sit still. Bought into a small chain of video stores that grew into Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. Age 55, also owns 15% of Miami Dolphins and 50% of Joe Robbie Stadium. Panthers, an NHL expansion team, begin play in October.
16 Jeremy M. Jacobs
Boston Bruins
Net Worth: $500 Million
Fifty-two-year-old CEO of Delaware North, a $1.3 billion Buffalo-based company, formerly called Emprise, involved in arena and airline food services and pari-mutuel operations. Concessionaire to 22 pro sports teams and recent winner of the concession rights for Yosemite National Park. The family-owned firm was convicted in 1972, along with three organized-crime figures, for conspiring to obtain secret ownership of a casino; Jeremy, however, was not implicated in the case.
17 The Wirtz Family
Chicago Blackhawks
Net Worth: $500 Million
Patriarch Arthur built an empire on real estate and sports. He acquired sports arenas, including Chicago Stadium and Madison Square Garden, in the 1930s and brought Sonja Henie and other foreign Olympic stars to U.S. to build gate. Was forced to sell the Garden by antitrust ruling in '59. His eldest son, William, learned to rope cattle alongside Hopalong Cassidy at the stadium and also sparred with Sugar Ray Robinson. Now he manages family holdings, which include a liquor distributorship, banks, thoroughbred racehorses and a minority interest in the Chicago Bulls. Building new Chicago arena with principal Bull owner Jerry Reinsdorf (No. 63). William, 63, is slowing down; so sons Peter, 32, and Rocky, 40, are running more of the show.
18 Drayton McLane
Houston Astros
Net Worth: $400 Million
Native Texan who took a small, family-run grocery distributorship that his grandfather started in 1894 and built it into one of the world's largest. Sold McLane Co. to longtime friend Sam Walton in '90 for more than $300 million. At 57, McLane is vice-chairman of Wal-Mart and owner of more than 10 million shares of the company's stock. Bought Astros in '92 from John McMullen (No. 46).
19 Hugh Culverhouse
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Net Worth: $350 Million
While a member of University of Alabama boxing team, sparred with future governor George Wallace. Pilot in the Air Force. Worked as a lawyer for IRS, then started his own practice. Counted Richard Nixon and Bebe Rebozo among his clients. Presided over wedding ceremonies for seventh marriage of Los Angeles Ram owner Georgia Frontiere (No. 41). Owns lots of Florida real estate, including his mansion, on the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, modeled after El Greco's retreat in Spain. At age 74, is suffering from lung cancer. Daughter Gay serves as team president.
20 Melvin Simon
Indiana Pacers
Net Worth: $350 Million
Transplanted New Yorker owns Pacers 50-50 with younger brother Herb (No. 48). Made fortune developing shopping centers; his Indianapolis-based development company, Simon & Associates, is second-largest manager and fourth-largest developer of shopping centers in the U.S. (171 centers in 35 states). Bought Pacers in 1983 to keep team from relocating. At age 66, is one of the gaudiest dressers in Indianapolis. Has backed such films as Porky's and Love at First Bite, but abandoned Hollywood after losses mounted. During moviemaking days his daughter Deborah, then 25, was kidnapped in the driveway of the family mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. Though bound and gagged, she escaped when her captor left her to put a ransom note in the Simons' mailbox.
21 Alex Spanos
San Diego Chargers
Net Worth: $350 Million
Owns 88% of Chargers. As a boy, worked in Greek immigrant father's bakery. Attended Obispo (now the University of the Pacific), where he competed as a diver. Also started catering company while in college, selling sandwiches to migrant workers in the fields around his hometown of Stockton, Calif., where he still lives. Founded A.C. Spanos Construction in 1961. Now, at age 69, one of the country's major owners of apartment buildings. Has two private planes, three full-time pilots and a flight attendant. Good friend of Bob Hope's, with whom he once did a song-and-dance act at Carnegie Hall.
22 Gene Autry
California Angels
Net Worth: $300 Million
Now 85, the Singing Cowboy has owned the Angels since their inception, in 1960. Also has four radio stations; the Autry Resort in Palm Springs, Calif.; three music-publishing companies; and the rights to all his old movies, radio and TV shows, and records (including Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which has sold more than 50 million copies). Despite generous payroll, has not yet been able to buy a world championship. Wife Jackie is team's executive vice-president.
23 Ken Behring
Seattle Seahawks
Net Worth: $300 Million
Onetime used-car salesman who became real estate developer. Developed the entire city of Tamarac, Fla. (pop. 29,376). Landmark project is the 4,800-acre Blackhawk development in Danville, Calif., east of Oakland. Age 65. Owns 75% of Seahawks and has a stunning collection of antique cars. His house in Black-hawk, worth a reported $15 million, has 30,000 square feet of floor space and a stream running through the living room.
24 Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
San Francisco 49ers
Net Worth: $300 Million
Team technically owned by DeBartolo Corp., largest mall developer in the country, with some 55 million square feet of space. Corporation also owns office buildings, hotels and three racetracks. Total assets of $5 billion, but bank debt of some $4 billion, which had to be restructured two years ago when company couldn't keep up principal payments. Company's net worth split fairly evenly among Eddie Jr.; his sister, Marie Denise DeBartolo York; and their father, Edward Sr. Dad used to own NHL Penguins and Pittsburgh Civic Arena; sold both to reduce debt and has unloaded other assets. Now 84, he still runs the real estate business while Eddie Jr., 46, directs the 49ers.
25 Jerry Jones
Dallas Cowboys
Net Worth: $275 Million
Arkansas native, co-captained the Razorbacks' national-championship football team in 1964. Sometime roommate of fellow offensive lineman and current Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson. Made most of his millions in oil and gas; also involved in real estate, poultry processing, banking and aircraft leasing. Owns the vast majority of the Cowboys and all of Texas Stadium. Age 50, he is married to a former Miss Arkansas.
26 Herb Kohl
Milwaukee Bucks
Net Worth: $275 Million
Inherited control of Kohl Corp., a supermarket and department store conglomerate chain started by his Polish immigrant father. Herb ran the business until selling 80% of it in 1972 for $72 million. Bought the Bucks in '85. Three years later, running as a Democrat, won a U.S. Senate seat in his native Wisconsin in a campaign financed almost entirely with his own money; term expires Jan. 3, 1995. Business holdings, mostly real estate, were placed in blind trust shortly after his election. At 58 years old, has never married. Buys his suits off the rack and his reading glasses from Walgreen's.
27 Donald T. Sterling
Los Angeles Clippers
Net Worth: $275 Million
Born Donald Tokowitz; his father peddled produce from a pushcart. Started as personal-injury lawyer. Began buying real estate in 1963; now, at age 56, thought to be largest apartment owner in Beverly Hills. Also has hotels, office buildings. Splits time between Beverly Hills home, which once belonged to Cary Grant, and Malibu Beach estate, where Liz Taylor and Richard Burton used to live. Works out of penthouse office suite from behind Louis XIV desk. But in business dealings, is known for frugality; in early days of his ownership of team, paychecks were late and players flew economy class in violation of collective bargaining agreement. Conditions have improved since.
28 Richard Jacobs
Cleveland Indians
Net Worth: $275 Million
Developer who made his fortune constructing malls. Now 68, he owns more than 40 million square feet nationwide. Also has 37 Wendy's franchises, most of them in the New York City area, as well as six hotels and six office buildings. Collector of modern art. Raised in Akron; father sold blimps for Goodyear. Holds 75% of Indians (his brother, David, whose widow, Barbara, now owns remaining 25%, died last year at 71). Will move team into new stadium in spring of '94.
29 Jerry Buss
Los Angeles Lakers
Net Worth: $270 Million
Onetime pool hustler from Kemmerer, Wyo., has doctorate in chemistry from USC. Worked in aerospace industry before making a fortune in real estate. Owns 95% of Lakers, most of the Great Western Forum, 16.7% of Prime Ticket cable service, and a ski lodge in Mammoth, Calif. Married twice, divorced twice; remains a renowned ladies' man at age 60.
30 Rankin Smith
Atlanta Falcons
Net Worth: $250 Million
An heir to the fortune of Life Insurance Co. of Georgia. Sold policies for his granddaddy's company; became president at age 45 in 1970, chairman in '75. Bought Falcons as expansion team in '65 for $8.5 million. In '68 draft, 15-year-old son Taylor phoned in the 20th-round pick; Taylor is now team president.
31 Kenneth Stanley (Bud) Adams
Houston Oilers
Net Worth: $230 Million
Charter member of the AFL. Has a Houston-based oil and gas company; several car dealerships; a 16,000-acre melon, rice and tomato farm in California's Sacramento Valley; and about 10,000 acres of ranchland and other undeveloped land throughout Texas. A 70-year-old native Oklahoman and one-quarter Cherokee Indian. His father, Kenneth Stanley (Boots) Adams, was chairman of Philips 66.
32 Donald Carter
Dallas Mavericks
Net Worth: $225 Million
In 1957 his late mother started Home Interiors & Gifts ('92 estimated revenues: $500 million). Donald, 60, is CEO. Owns at least 95% of Mavs, all of the Dallas Sidekicks soccer team, two car dealerships. Staunch Baptist; known for his philanthropy. In Sept. 1992, flew to the Brazilian jungle to build a medical clinic. Recently drove an 18-wheeler from Dallas to St. Louis with relief supplies for victims of the Midwest floods.
33 Ed Snider
Philadelphia Flyers
Net Worth: $225 Million
The 60-year-old son of a grocery store owner. Started a company that put racks of records into department stores and made him rich. Bought into the NHL expansion Flyers in '67; built the Spectrum that same year. He and family, including son Jay, the team president, now own 90% of team. Has company called Spectacor, which operates sports arenas throughout the country. Hot-tempered and fiercely anti-Soviet, would not allow Flyers to draft or sign a Soviet player until recently.
34 George Steinbrenner
New York Yankees
Net Worth: $225 Million
In addition to some 55% of the Yankees, also owns a horse farm in Ocala, Fla., several hotels, two million shares of American Shipbuilding (worth $4 million), a towing and barge operation in Tampa and a Great Lakes shipping concern. Age 63. Cleveland native and son of a wealthy shipping family, he was once an assistant football coach at Northwestern and Purdue.
35 Norman Braman
Philadelphia Eagles
Net Worth: $220 Million
Son of immigrants from Eastern Europe; father a barber. Grew up in West Chester, Pa.; hung around Eagle training camp there in the '40s and carried water. Got into discount clothing and discount drugs, and made millions. Age 71. Owns estate in south of France. Art collection—contemporary European and American—considered one of finest in U.S. An oenophile, has laid down 4,000 bottles in a swimming pool turned wine cellar at his Miami house.
36 The O'Malley Family
Los Angeles Dodgers
Net Worth: $220 Million
Family wealth derived from 100% ownership of the Dodgers, Dodger Stadium and spring training facilities in Vero Beach, Fla. Primary owners are Peter O'Malley, 56, and his sister, Terry Seidler, 60, who inherited the properties from their father, Walter, a Brooklyn banker who gained control of team in 1950 and moved it to L.A. in '58. Peter runs team; longest active president in major league history.
37 Nelson Doubleday
New York Mets
Net Worth: $200 Million
Sold family publishing business in 1986 for $500 million, taking about 17% of the stock, or $85 million, for himself. Great-great-grandnephew of Abner Doubleday, inventor of baseball. Owns roughly 50% of Mets; most of the rest held by Fred Wilpon (No. 60). With Jack Nicklaus, manufactures golf equipment. Age 59.
38 James Orthwein
New England Patriots
Net Worth: $200 Million
Middle name is Busch; he is 69-year-old first cousin of Anheuser-Busch CEO August III. Sits on brewer's board of directors, has more than $60 million worth of its stock. As past chairman of ad agency, he helped create the slogan "For all you do, this Bud's for you." Lives in childhood home on 48-acre estate in Huntleigh Village, Mo. Does oil paintings of animals. Has set three records for catching bonefish on a fly rod.
39 Abe Pollin
Washington Bullets, Washington Capitals
Net Worth: $200 Million
Owns the Cap Centre, home arena of both teams, and lots of other real estate. Son of a struggling builder-plumber. Got his start by constructing apartments in the D.C. area. Age 69. Big-time contributor to Democratic Party and major supporter of Bill Clinton. Rarely uses his skybox; prefers to sit alone in an aisle seat about 20 rows up from playing surface.
40 Tom Benson
New Orleans Saints
Net Worth: $180 Million
Born in the Crescent City; age 66. Has 19 car dealerships, two banks in San Antonio and a 2,000-acre farm in Johnson City, Texas. Granduncle Herbert Benson was a founder of the Sugar Bowl game and the architect of Tulane Stadium. Celebrates wins by dancing a parasol-twirling jig on the Superdome sideline.
41 Georgia Frontiere
Los Angeles Rams
Net Worth: $160 Million
Inherited team from late spouse Carroll Rosenbloom, who drowned under suspicious circumstances in 1979. St. Louis native, she went west with her mother as part of a singing act. First marriage was annulled when she was 15. Worked briefly as a TV weather reporter in Miami and as a Vegas show girl before marrying Rosen-bloom, who was husband number 6. Age 65, she has equivalent of three suites at Anaheim Stadium, including a bedroom with bath and Jacuzzi.
42 Richard Gordon
Hartford Whalers
Net Worth: $150 Million
Owns 76% of Whalers. Real estate developer, age 52, who has invested some $650 million in downtown Hartford buildings. Hit hard by recession—value of holdings has dropped some $150 million in recent years. As amateur tennis player, won the New York State doubles championships in 1967 with Dr. Richard Raskind, who later had a sex-change operation and took the name Renee Richards. Friends Roger Staubach and Ivan Lendl are on Whaler advisory board.
43 Lamar Hunt
Kansas City Chiefs
Net Worth: $150 Million
An original AFL owner. He and brothers Herbert and Nelson Bunker had estimated combined net worth in 1980 of more than $5 billion. Disastrous attempt by his brothers to corner the silver market all but destroyed the family fortune. Lamar, now 61, at one point had to hock his Rolex watch and his wife's mink coat. Wealth is now derived primarily from Chiefs. Also owns about 12% of Chicago Bulls and two K.C. amusement parks.
44 Robert Irsay
Indianapolis Colts
Net Worth: $150 Million
In 1984 moved Colts from Baltimore to Indy under cover of darkness. His mother once called him "a devil on earth"; brother accused him of running their father out of sheet-metal contracting business; former Colt quarterback Bert Jones once said of him, "He doesn't have any morals." Age 70, he owns Colt Construction and Development Co. Lives on 38-acre estate outside Indianapolis. Divorced his wife of 41 years in '88. Son Jimmy is Colts' general manager.
45 Harold Katz
Philadelphia 76ers
Net Worth: $150 Million
Son of a south-Philly grocer; ran the store when his father died. Later invested in the Nutri/System weight-loss program, opening his first center in a Philadelphia suburb. Sold out in 1986 with more than 700 centers nationwide. Bought 76ers in '81 at age 44. Once played a high school basketball game matched up against Wilt Chamberlain. Was outscored 62-12.
46 John McMullen
New Jersey Devils
Net Worth: $150 Million
Maritime architect and shipping executive. Doctorate from Swiss Institute of Technology. Age 75. Holds 86% of Devils. Bought 34% of Houston Astros in '79; sold out last year for estimated $50 million profit.
47 Bruce McNall
Los Angeles Kings
Net Worth: $150 Million
Portly numismatist, 43, who began collecting coins at 12. Started working at a coin shop at 14; a year later bought out the owners. Nine years later outbid former French president Valèry Giscard d'Estaing and Aristotle Onassis for a coin known as the Athena Decadrachm. Paid $420,000, sold it a month later for $1 million. Son of a biochemist who taught at USC. Went to UCLA, quit doctoral program in ancient history to concentrate on coin business. Races thoroughbreds, some co-owned with King star Wayne Gretzky.
48 Herb Simon
Indianapolis Pacers
Net Worth: $150 Million
Younger brother of Mel (No. 20); grew up in the Bronx. Owns half the team, and sources say he has 30% of Mel's real estate company. Usually the spokesman for Pacer ownership. Unlike flamboyant brother, he shuns fancy restaurants and loud clothes. At age 58, is most comfortable doing things like playing Game Boy at home with his five kids.
49 Ralph Wilson Jr.
Buffalo Bills
Net Worth: $150 Million
Founding owner of Bills, an original AFL franchise. Grew up in Detroit. Made big money in insurance and once owned a piece of the Lions. (In Motown style, once hired The Supremes to perform at the coming-out party for one of his three daughters.) Also owns two television stations and a thoroughbred breeding operation that produced the 1992 sensation-flop Arazi. At age 74, is a tennis fanatic.
50 Bill Bidwill
Phoenix Cardinals
Net Worth: $120 Million
Late father Charley bought team—then the Chicago Cardinals—in 1932. Bill worked as water boy, program ad salesman and scout before taking over. Charley died in 1947, leaving team to wife Violet. When she passed away, in 1962, second husband challenged her will in court. It was during those proceedings that Bill and brother Stormy learned for the first time they had been adopted. Bill, age 61, is a military-history buff.
51 Jerry McMorris
Colorado Rockies
Net Worth: $120 Million
Holds about 30% of team and serves as managing general partner. Son of a trucker, got into the business at 19 when he borrowed $7,500 from his father to buy a three-truck operation. Now 53 years old, he runs NW Transport Services (1992 revenues: $500 million), based in Commerce City, Colo. Has farm in Timnath, Colo., and ranch near Red Feather Lakes. Grows barley for Coors beer. Likes to ride horses and work his cattle.
52 Larry Miller
Utah Jazz
Net Worth: $120 Million
Former auto-parts salesman, now owns the Jazz, the Golden Eagles hockey team (International League), the Delta Center, TV station KXIV and 19 car dealerships. Though 49 years old, played high-level fast-pitch softball until recently. Once one of the country's top softball pitchers and is in the sport's Hall of Fame. As a devout Mormon, does not attend games on Sunday. Gives all his players demo cars to drive and likes to take them fishing at his Idaho retreat.
53 Tom Werner
San Diego Padres
Net Worth: $120 Million
TV executive, age 43, whose Carsey-Werner company produced The Cosby Show and Roseanne. With partner, sold syndication rights to Cosby for estimated $500 million. Headed 15-member group that purchased team in 1990. But miserly management of Padres, of whom he owns 40%, has drawn criticism. In keeping with frugal image, drives a Ford station wagon.
54 Marge Schott
Cincinnati Reds
Net Worth: $110 Million
Bought into team as limited partner in 1981; now owns 43%. Age 65, she also runs two car dealerships (Buick and Chevrolet) and more than a dozen other businesses. Lives on 70-acre estate in a Cincy suburb. Second of five daughters in a strict German family; schooled in a convent. When husband died, in 1968, successfully fought GM for right to retain his Buick dealership. Increased sales 40% her first two years.
55 John O. Pickett Jr.
New York Islanders
Net Worth: $100+ Million
Holds 98% of the Isles but is poised to sell. Grew up on an east-Texas ranch, graduated from Arkansas. Developed a reputation as a turnaround man; also made money as venture capitalist. Took over debt-ridden Isles in '78, molded them into profitable winners. Age 59, lives in E.F. Hutton's old Palm Beach mansion.
56 Les Alexander
Houston Rockets
Net Worth: $100 Million
Florida businessman, age 49; retired after making millions trading on the bond market. Now deals in leveraged buyouts. Recently bought Rockets for $85 million. Wife Nancy is president of the Animal Rights Foundation in Florida. Plans to relocate to Houston, but did not endear himself to citizens there when, in first week as owner, he fired beloved Hall of Fame guard Calvin Murphy from Rockets' community-relations job. After public outcry Murphy was rehired.
57 Edward W. Rose III
Texas Rangers
Net Worth: $100 Million
Nicknamed "the Mortician" by others in the investment industry for his proficiency at short-selling stocks. Is trying, at age 52, to bury that image by becoming a long-term investor. Currently holds significant stakes in 11 public and private companies. Also owns 5,000-acre ranch south of Dallas and an estimated 10% of the Rangers, of whom he is a managing general partner along with George Bush (No. 93).
58 George Shinn
Charlotte Hornets
Net Worth: $100 Million
North Carolina native who was working as a janitor at a business school in 1962; six years later he was the school's executive director, and then co-owner. Used that as base for a chain of 25 business schools called Rutledge College. Sold out in 1989 for $30 million. Now 52, has written books entitled Good Morning, Lord! and Leadership Development. Owns the Charlotte Knights Double A baseball team and dozens of classic cars.
59 Fred Wilpon
New York Mets
Net Worth: $100 Million
Intensely private, 56-year-old Brooklyn native. Played high school baseball with Sandy Koufax. Once pitched batting practice to Dodgers at Ebbetts Field. Father worked in a funeral parlor. Principal owner of Sterling Equities, a real estate firm through which he owns nearly 50% of Mets. Lives in Locust Valley, N.Y., a block from co-owner Nelson Doubleday (No. 38).
60 Peter Angelos
Baltimore Orioles
Net Worth: $90 Million
Maryland lawyer who made his millions winning lawsuits for union workers who had been crippled or killed by asbestos. Son of a Greek immigrant who ran a Baltimore restaurant. Won a seat on the Baltimore City Council while still in law school. Ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1967. Headed group that recently bought O's for record $173 million from bankrupt Eli Jacobs. Owns nearly half, and will serve as managing partner.
61 Jim Fitzgerald
Golden State Warriors
Net Worth: $90 Million
Pumped gas as a kid. Graduated from Notre Dame and later leased a Shell station in his hometown of Janesville, Wis.; eventually owned 25 filling stations. Only significant business holding now is the team; he owns an estimated 50%. At 67, has had two heart-bypass operations. Lives in Indian Wells, Calif.
62 Seymour Knox III
Buffalo Sabres
Net Worth: $80 Million
Scion of well-to-do Buffalo family; avid sportsman who has excelled at polo and squash. Age 66; with younger brother Northrup, owns 27% of Sabres. Family has been a team owner since franchise began, in '70. A patron of the arts; Buffalo's Albright-Knox Art Gallery, named for his father, is world famous.
63 Jerry Reinsdorf
Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox
Net Worth: $80 Million
Owns slightly more than 10% of both the Sox and the Bulls. Age 57. Son of a used-sewing-machine salesman. His first case as a young lawyer for the IRS involved tax delinquency by then White Sox owner Bill Veeck. Joined a Chicago law firm in '64; bought into the Sox in '81, the Bulls in '85. Sold his share of Balcor, a real estate syndication firm, for an estimated profit of $40 million. Politically shrewd, he is considered one of the most powerful owners in both baseball and the NBA.
64 The Brown Family
Cincinnati Bengals
Net Worth: $75 Million
Secretive heirs of Paul Brown have been quietly accumulating shares of Bengals and recently gained majority control. Paul's son Mike, 58, is general manager. Another son, Pete, 50, is director of player personnel. Mike's daughter, Katie Brown-Blackburn, 27, is corporate secretary and legal counsel; Mike's son, Paul, 23, works in the scouting department.
65 Wellington Mara
New York Giants
Net Worth: $75 Million
In 1925 watched the Giants' first game from the bench and, in effect, has been there ever since. His father, Tim, bought the new Giant franchise in '25 for $500. Wellington, 77, now owns 50% of team. Long-running feud with nephew and former co-owner Tim Mara led Tim to sell out to Bob Tisch (No. 7) in '90.
66 Art Modell
Cleveland Browns
Net Worth: $75 Million
One of few owners whose team is his only business. Age 68, he holds 52% of the Browns, whom he bought in 1961 for $4.5 million (with just $250,000 of his own money up front). After his father died, Art, at 15, dropped out of school, worked in a Brooklyn shipyard. Finished high school in night classes. Worked for ABC television and in advertising before jumping at chance to buy Browns. Still owns 70 N.Y. Giant season tickets from his days entertaining clients in the Big Apple.
67 Peter Pocklington
Edmonton Oilers
Net Worth: $70+ Million
Flamboyant 51-year-old financier. Got his start in car dealerships in Ontario, moved into real estate, then food processing. Struggled in the '80s; sold off assets and used Oilers as security for loans. Net worth difficult to pin down; reportedly still has heavy debts.
68 Barry Shenkarow
Winnipeg Jets
Net Worth: $70 Million
As a young lawyer, worked for the owners of the WHA Jets. In '78 became team president. Now, age 44, owns 16% of team as one of four-member ownership group. Owns real estate, restaurants.
69 Al Davis
Los Angeles Raiders
Net Worth: $60 Million
Owns about 30% of team; has various real estate holdings. Grew up in Brooklyn, the son of a clothing manufacturer. English major at Syracuse. Became the Raiders' coach and G.M. in '63. Had brief stint as AFL commissioner. Moved team from Oakland to L.A. in '82 amid much hubbub. At 64, is ever the iconoclast.
70 Peter Magowan
San Francisco Giants
Net Worth: $60 Million
Managing general partner of the team, of which he owns less than 10%. Rest held in about equal shares by other Bay Area business leaders. A New York native and longtime Giant baseball fan; has a painting in his office at Safeway Stores Inc. headquarters depicting the Bobby Thomson home run that won the '51 pennant. His family left New York for San Francisco in 1956, a year before the Giants left. As senior at Stanford, sought a job in Giants' minor league system. Told that nothing was available, went to Oxford to get master's degree. Joined his father in the grocery business—Dad was then running Safeway—and began as manager of Safeway store in Washington, D.C., in '68. Became CEO in 1980 at age 37.
71 Pat Bowlen
Denver Broncos
Net Worth: $50 Million
Born in Wisconsin, but made his money as a Canadian oilman. Bought majority interest in the Broncos nine years ago. Now controls 100%. Played freshman football at Oklahoma, where he studied business and law. Has competed in Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon and New York City Marathon. Once owned a piece of the Calgary Flames. Sold off troubled real estate investments in the past several years and recently got out of car dealership he owned with John Elway. Has valuable collection of Frederic Remington sculptures, displayed in lobby of Broncos' office complex.
72 Harvey Ratner, Marv Wolfenson
Minnesota Timberwolves
Combined Net Worth: $50 Million
Inseparable friends since childhood, Harv, 67, and Marv, 66, once held 3% of the Minneapolis Lakers. Turned to other joint investments; most successful is a chain of health clubs. Also own the Target Center (where team plays). Bought 'Wolves as '89 expansion team; now seek to bring a hockey team to town to replace departed North Stars.
73 Jim Thomas
Sacramento Kings
Net Worth: $50 Million
A 52-year-old former IRS lawyer who made millions as developer of high-rise projects in L.A., Dallas and Philadelphia. Bought 53% of the Kings last year with three partners. A native of Pembroke, N.C., and a full-blooded Lumbee Indian. Picked cotton, cucumbers and tobacco in his youth; went to Catawba College on a basketball scholarship. Owns Bing Crosby's old house at Pebble Beach, Calif.; occasionally vacations at the Aspen Institute, where he studies philosophy.
74 Frank A. Griffiths Sr.
Vancouver Canucks
Net Worth: $45 Million
An accountant whose company, Western Broadcasting, owns nine radio stations and three TV stations among other media holdings. Took control of team in '74. At home games sits in private skybox with his wife, Emily. Son Arthur is team president. Age 76. Home phone number listed in Vancouver directory.
75 Norman Green
Dallas Stars
Net Worth: $40 Million
Canadian developer; made his fortune building shopping centers. Bought Minnesota North Stars in 1990, fired half of front office, then hired a third of them back within a week. After deeming local corporate support and season-ticket sales insufficient, moved team to Dallas for '93-94 season; was dubbed Norm Greed by Twin City fans. Reported to be highly leveraged, which may have hastened move to Texas.
76 Dan Rooney
Pittsburgh Steelers
Net Worth: $40 Million
At 61, the oldest son of Art Rooney, who in 1932 was awarded original franchise, for which he paid $2,500, purportedly won at the track. Art's sister Marie, 75, and her husband own 20% of team; rest divided equally among Dan, who is managing partner, and his four brothers. Family also has a Maryland horse farm, a Florida dog track, Yonkers Raceway in New York (estimated value of family holdings: $230 million). Dan began negotiating player contracts while still in college. Attends Mass every day. Member of Management Council; one of the NFL's most powerful owners.
77 Haywood Sullivan
Boston Red Sox
Net Worth: $40 Million
Former Red Sox backup catcher and lifetime .226 hitter. Managed Kansas City A's in '65, then joined Sox front office; named G.M. in 1977. In '78, with interest-free loan from Jean Yawkey (widow of former owner Tom Yawkey), he paid $1 million for general partner's share. Age 62, owns a fourth of the team. Most of the rest held by the estate of Jean Yawkey, who died in '92.
78 Harley Hotchkiss
Calgary Flames
Net Worth: $30 Million
Most active of four owners—Darryl Seaman, B.J. Seaman, Sonia Scurfield are the others—each of whom owns 22% of team. Grew up in Ontario farmhouse. Earned degree in geology; founded an oil and gas exploration firm. Age 66, is an award-winning gardener; Calgary home is on city's Horticultural Society tour.
79 Bill Giles
Philadelphia Phillies
Net Worth: $27 Million
Father Warren was president of the National League from 1951 to '69. Joined the expansion Colt 45's in '62. Among his later duties: operating Astrodome scoreboard. Moved to Philadelphia in '69; led group that bought Phillies for $30 million in '81. "I only had $50,000 in the bank at the time," says Giles, 59; but he received about 10% of club for putting group together. Acquired an additional 9% in subsequent years.
80 Barry Ackerley
Seattle SuperSonics
Net Worth: $25 Million
Team owned by Seattle-based Ackerley Communications, of which Barry owns 59.9%. Born and raised in Des Moines, where his father owned a farm. Got his business start in billboards and now dominates billboard markets in Seattle, Boston, Miami and Portland, as well as at 80% of the nation's airports. Age 59. Mercurial and intensely private, he has hair-trigger temper and rocky relationship with Seattle media. At least one of his four children seems to be chip off the old block: Son Chris, 22, was ejected from Sonic arena during a game last season after mouthing off to a ref.
81 Howard Baldwin
Pittsburgh Penguins
Net Worth: $25 Million
Team's managing general partner and 45% owner (former Budget Rent-A-Car CEO Morris Belzberg has 50%; New York accountant Thomas Ruta owns 5%). Baldwin dropped out of Boston University in 1965 to try out as catcher with Detroit Tigers. Was cut; went to work for Flyers as ticket and sales manager. Founded the WHA New England Whalers in '71 when only 28. Forced out in '88, he went to work full-time for a film company he had started in Los Angeles three years earlier. Briefly owned a piece of the North Stars. When asked in 1990 by Edward DeBartolo Sr., then the Penguins' owner, to find a buyer for the team, Baldwin bought in himself. Wife Karen is a movie actress.
82 Rod Bryden
Ottawa Senators
Net Worth: $25 Million
At age 52, owns Terrace Investments, which holds 53% of Senators. Recently negotiated purchase of 50% share of Terrace from Bruce Firestone, the Senators' other founding owner (in 1982 Firestone had assumed control of Terrace, a real estate firm established by his father). Bryden is also majority owner of SC Stormont Corp., an executive management firm. Amassed a fortune estimated at more than $90 million in high-tech field, but lost most of it in the early '90s when he defaulted on some substantial loans.
83 Jerry Colangelo
Phoenix Suns
Net Worth: $25 Million
Led multimember investment group that purchased Suns in 1987 for $44.5 million. Owns about 17% of team. Grew up on Chicago's South Side. In mid-60s played pro basketball as a guard in now-defunct North American League. Joined Suns as G.M. at their inception, in 1968; used to practice with the team. Age 53, is only NBA owner to serve as coach, scout and general manager for his club (he is still G.M.). Also an owner in Arena Football, Team Tennis and new Continental Indoor Soccer League. Dabbles in real estate and oil and gas, but vast majority of net worth comes from Suns.
84 Bud Selig
Milwaukee Brewers
Net Worth: $25 Million
Born in Milwaukee in 1934. Father a car dealer; Bud ran Selig Chevrolet until he sold out three years ago. Currently owns Selig Executive Leasing Co., which rents automobiles; is part owner of Jake's Deli in Milwaukee. Owned a piece of the Braves in the early 1960s. Led group that bought expansion Seattle Pilots in '70 and moved them to Milwaukee. Owns about 25% of Brewers. Is baseball's commissioner pro tem.
85 Bob Coleman
San Antonio Spurs
Net Worth: $20 Million
Team president and CEO; led 22-member investor group that purchased Spurs last spring. Coleman, 61, put up less than $1 million, with most of purchase price being covered by local corporations. Is CEO and sole owner of Texace Corp. ('92 revenues: $14 million), a leading manufacturer of golf hats and visors.
86 Roger Headrick
Minnesota Vikings
Net Worth: $20 Million
Former chief financial officer at Pillsbury; owns 10% of Vikes. After taking over team in '91, showed up at scouting combine with a stopwatch around his neck and walked around training camp in a pair of coach's shorts. Has since backed off. Age 57, is known as a tough negotiator: Says a business acquaintance, "If you go to war with Roger, you'd better wear your cup."
87 Alan Aufzien
New Jersey
Nets Net Worth: $15+ Million
New Jersey native who took over the family plumbing supply business in the early 1950s after his father died of a heart attack while shoveling snow. Sold out in 1989. Now chairman of financial management firm called the Fairfield Group. Media shy and extremely private, so much so that team will not divulge his age. Bought a small stake in the Nets in 1978; became a majority partner in '85. Now holds an estimated 28% of team, which is also owned by David Gerstein (No. 89) and five lesser partners—hence the nickname of the ownership group: the Secaucus Seven.
88 Tim Robbie
Miami Dolphins
Net Worth: $15 Million
Each of the nine children of late Dolphin founder Joe Robbie owns 9% of team. Son Tim, 38, serves as Dolphin president. Family also owns 50% of Joe Robbie Stadium, some land surrounding the stadium and a profitable South Dakota veterinary supply company. Family, whose total wealth is estimated at $170 million, is liquidating sports holdings because it is facing hefty estate taxes ($47 million) and debt burdens (an estimated $80 million on the stadium alone). The Robbies have already sold 15% of Dolphins and 50% of stadium to Florida Marlin owner Wayne Huizenga (No. 15); New York financier J. Morton Davis heads investment group that has signed a letter of intent to buy 65% of team, but deal remains uncertain.
89 David Gerstein
New Jersey Nets
Net Worth: $12+ Million
Owns 23% of the franchise. Partner of Alan Aufzien (No. 87), and equally protective of privacy. Runs Thermwell Products, Inc., which makes Frost King weather stripping, among other insulation products.
90 Marcel Aubut
Quebec Nordiques
Net Worth: $12 Million
Partner in Aubut, Chabot, one of Quebec's leading law firms. Owns about 20% of Nordiques. Became team president in 1978 at the age of 30. Orchestrated the defection from Czechoslovakia and signing of the Stastny brothers in 1980. Serves on boards of 10 of Quebec's biggest corporations and is a key figure in Quebec 2002, which is trying to bring the Winter Olympics to the province. Likes to drive fast cars.
91 Michael McCaskey
Chicago Bears
Net Worth: $10 Million
Forty-nine-year-old grandson of Papa Bear, George Halas. Owns 6% of the team. Though his mother, Virginia, has more stock (20%), he runs the franchise. Worked summers as a ball boy and equipment manager at training camp. Earned a doctorate in business and taught for three years at UCLA and seven at the Harvard Business School. Would have preferred to pursue academic career, but, at family's request, became Bear president upon grandfather's death, in 1983.
92 Claude Brochu
Montreal Expos
Net Worth: $4 Million
Has 7.5% share of team, among the smaller stakes of the Expos' 14 owners, but serves as president, chief executive and general partner. Former executive at Seagram & Sons, he was appointed Expo president in 1986 when team was owned by Seagram chairman Charles Bronfman. A 48-year-old Quebec City native. Voted Canada's baseball man of the year in 1990 for leading successful effort to keep Expos in Montreal.
93 George W. Bush
Texas Rangers
Net Worth: $3 Million
Big political name but not big bucks. Owns less than 5% of the Rangers, of whom Edward Rose (No. 58) and several others hold larger shares. Graduated from Yale, earned Harvard M.B.A. and then went to work in the Texas oil patch. Ran for Congress in '78 but lost. Built a small oil and gas exploration outfit, which he merged with Harken Energy in '86. Still on Harken board. "The Rangers are my primary occupation," he says. "And a great percentage of my net worth is tied up in the team." Primary occupation could change: Bush, 46, who is called Junior by Washington insiders, has indicated he'll run for governor of Texas in '94.
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FOUR PHOTOS
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Braman (No. 35) once carried the water bucket.
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McMorris (No. 51) feels at home on the range.
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Miller (No. 52) is a softball Hall of Famer.
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Shinn (No. 58), a car buff, once polished young minds.
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Davis (No. 69) turned silver-and-black into gold.
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Rooney (No. 76) followed in his dad's football steps.
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Hotchkiss (No. 78) has a botanical bent.
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Kohl (No. 26) and Selig (No. 84) were playgrounds pals.
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Bush (No. 93) may leave the clubhouse for the statehouse.
ELEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS
Special Teams
Franchises owned by corporations, consortiums and other groups
Boston Celtics
A publicly traded franchise; listed on the New York Stock Exchange. A significant portion (60%) of the stock is owned by three men—Alan Cohen, Don Gaston and Paul Dupee—who bought the team in 1983 for $19 million. In '86 they sold some 40% of the team to the public at $19.50 per share, raising $48 million and retaining control. As of Aug. 27 the stock price was $18.75.
Chicago Cubs
Owned by the Tribune Co., a Chicago-based media and entertainment company (superstation WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune).
Denver Nuggets
Owned by Comsat Denver Inc. Purchased 62.5% of the Nuggets in 1989; bought the rest three years later when the minority partners were struggling financially.
Green Bay Packers
A community-owned, nonprofit corporation. A total of 4,627 shares held by 1,862 shareholders, none of whom receives dividends. Shares are not traded publicly—they can only be transferred, not sold, among relatives—and therefore have no market value. When offered initially, in 1950, they sold for $25 apiece.
Kansas City Royals
Currently owned by the irrevocable trust of the late Ewing Kauffman, who died on Aug. 2. Cotrustees are his widow, Muriel, and Mike Herman, chief financial officer of the Ewing Kauffman Trust. At Kauffman's behest, every effort will be made to keep the team in Kansas City.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Owned entirely by the Walt Disney Co. The Ducks, one of the NHL's two new franchises, debut in October at an Anaheim arena dubbed The Pond by Disney CEO Michael Eisner.
Montreal Canadiens
Owned by the Molson Companies. Company chairman Eric Molson often attends games with his 86-year-old uncle, Hartland; they sit in a family box directly behind the Canadien bench.
New York Knicks, New York Rangers
Owned by Paramount Communications, once known as Gulf + Western, which also owns Madison Square Garden, where the two teams play.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Seven Pittsburgh-area organizations (including Alcoa and Carnegie-Mellon University) and three businessmen (Gene Litman of Pittsburgh; John McConnell of Columbus, Ohio; and Harvey Walken of Chicago) own equal shares.
St. Louis Blues
Twenty local corporations—including Anheuser-Busch, Emerson Electric, May Department Stores and Southwestern Bell—own equal shares of the Blues and a soon-to-be-constructed arena.
St. Louis Cardinals
Owned and operated by Anheuser-Busch since purchase in 1953.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Held by a smallish Japanese company called Kokusai Green, which operates three golf resorts in its home country. Says one executive, "The Lightning is our American subsidiary."
Toronto Blue Jays
John Labatt Ltd., a Toronto-based brewing, dairy and entertainment company, owns 90% of the team; the remaining 10% is held by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Owned by Maple Leaf Gardens, Ltd., which in turn is held 60% by the estate of the late Harold Ballard, 20% by the Molson Companies and 20% by individual investors, including Steve Stavro, 65, who is CEO of Maple Leaf Gardens.
Side Lines: Ted Arison (No. 3) had never been to an NBA game when he was approached about joining an investment group to buy an expansion team for Miami, Nevertheless, he put up the lion's share of the $32.5 million franchise fee. The Heat's first game. In Miami versus the L.A. Clippers in 1988, was the very first NBA game Arison attended.
Cowboy owner Jerry Jones (NO. 25) raised $8 million in 1966 at the age of 23 to buy and operate the San Diego Chargers. But his father, J.W. (Pat) Jones, didn't like the group of financiers Jerry had assembled, and he nixes the deal. (The chargers were sold later that year to a group led by Gene Klein—for $10 million.)
Don't ever get into a poker game with Laker owner Jerry Buss (No. 29). In 1991 he played in the world Championship of Poker in Las Vegas and finished third in the seven-card-stud division.
The car dealerships of Tom Benson (No. 40), the Saints' owner, so dominate the market in New Orleans that 15 out of every 100 car sold in the Crescent City Carry his nameplate.
Larry Miller (No. 52), owner of the Jazz, once made a habit of sitting next to the visiting bench at games and listening in on huddles. He was eventually forced to stop after opposing coaches complained.
Buffalo Bill owner Ralph Wilson (No. 49) is worth $150 million, but whenever he travels he insists on renting a car and driving it himself." No limos for me," he says. "I like to keep control."
In the locker room after a playoff game with the Redskins in 1984, Ram owner Georgia Frontiere (No. 41) gave each of her players a Cabbage Patch doll. As they left the locker room with their dolls under their arms, the Rams appeared a bit sheepish. It didn't help that they'd lost 51-7.
Steeler president Dan Rooney (No. 76) was quite a quarterback at North Catholic High in Pittsburgh, so he was miffed when he was named the backup—not the starter—on the city's all-Catholic team after his senior year. He shouldn't have taken it so hard; the kid who beat him out was Johnny Unitas.
In 1983 Oilers lost an NHL playoff game in Calgary but still led the series three games to one. On the flight back to Edmonton for Game 5, coach Glen Sather was predictably morose. But owner Peter Pocklington (No. 67) was surprisingly upbeat: "This gives us an extra home date," he said.
The owners of Milwaukee's two teams, the Brewers and the Bucks, go back a long way: Bud Selig (No. 84) and Herb Kohl (No. 26) have known each other since the third grade at Sherman Elementary School in Milwaukee, played sandlot baseball together and were roommates at the University of Wisconsin.
Redskin owner Jack Kent cooke (No. 8) used to be listed in the Guinness Book of world Records—not for winning football games, out what was the biggest divorce settlement in history: $41 million.