Jerry Reinsdorf, a former IRS tax attorney who made his first fortune in real estate, has owned the Chicago Bulls since 1985, winning six NBA titles, and the White Sox for nearly 40 years.
Woody Johnson, a Johnson & Johnson heir, bought the New York Jets for $635 million in 2000 and served as US ambassador to the UK from 2017 to 2021.
Jeffrey Lurie, grandson of the General Cinema founder and a Brandeis social-policy PhD, has owned the Philadelphia Eagles since 1994 and won two Super Bowls.
Joe Lacob, a Kleiner Perkins partner since 1987, is the principal owner of the Golden State Warriors and Golden State Valkyries.
Stan Kroenke owns the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Arsenal F.C. through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
Ryan Smith co-founded Qualtrics with his father and brother while at BYU, and in 2020 bought a majority stake in the Utah Jazz.
Ted Leonsis, a former AOL executive, owns the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics through Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Tony Hawk landed the first documented 900 in 1999, licensed the Tony Hawk's video game series and owns the skateboard company Birdhouse.
Dana White brought the Fertittas to buy the UFC for $2 million in 2001, then led it to a $4 billion sale in 2016 and became CEO in 2023. He also founded Power Slap and co-founded Zuffa Boxing.
Jerry Jones, a 1964 national champion at Arkansas, bought the Dallas Cowboys from Bum Bright in 1989 and hired college teammate Jimmy Johnson as his first coach.
Robert Kraft took control of a packaging company through a 1968 leveraged buyout, founded International Forest Products and has owned the New England Patriots since 1994.
Jerry Buss grew up poor with a waitress mother, earned a chemistry degree in two and a half years and bought the Lakers in 1979, winning 10 championships and building the Showtime era.
