The 2016 Forbes 400 list was released Tuesday. Among the 44 owners of sports teams included, four of the five wealthiest control franchises on the west coast.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer leads the group with a $27.5 billion net worth. Next up is Paul Allen of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles Kings and Galaxy owner Phillip Anschutz follows at $10.9 billion.
The wealth finally moves away from the Pacific with Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross ($7.8 billion), although even he is tied with Stanley Kroenke, who owns the Los Angeles Rams as well as Arsenal FC and the Colorado Rapids.
Moving on down the list, the west coast dominance thins out with San Francisco Giants owner Charles Johnson being the only other in the top 25 with a net worth of $5 billion.
Here is a breakdown of the top 10:
1. Steve Ballmer, Los Angeles Clippers ($27.5 billion)
Balmer made his fortune at Microsoft, starting in 1980 as the company’s 30th employee and first business manager. He eventually became CEO from 2000 to 2014.
2. Paul Allen, Seattle Seahawks/Portland Trailblazers ($18.9 billion)
Allen is another Microsoft guy, co-founding the company with Bill Gates. He is also a part-owner of the Seattle Sounders.
3. Phillip Anschutz, Los Angeles Kings/Los Angeles Galaxy ($10.9 billion)
Anschutz’s money comes from various investments, and he has deep ties in the sports world. He co-founded Major League Soccer as well as several of the league’s teams.
T-4. Stanley Kroenke, Los Angeles Rams/Arsenal FC/Colorado Rapids ($7.4 billion)
Fun fact: He was named after Stan Musial.
T-4. Steve Ross, Miami Dolphins ($7.4 billion)
Ross founded global real estate development firm The Related Companies in 1972 and has owned the Dolphins since 2008.
6. Micky Arison, Miami Heat ($7.2 billion)
Florida also has solid representation on this list, although not as strong as the west coast’s. Arison is also the chairman of Carnival Corporation cruises and was CEO there from 1979 to 2013.
7. Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars/Fulham FC ($6.9 billion)
Khan, who made his billions in the auto parts industry, is the richest person of Pakistani origin, according to Forbes.
8. Ann Walton Kroenke, Denver Nuggets/Colorado Avalanche ($6.2 billion)
Ann makes the list as Stanley had to transfer ownership of the Avalanche and Nuggets to a family trust as a result of NFL cross-ownership regulations.
9. Michael and Marian Ilitch, Detroit Tigers/Detroit Red Wings ($5.8 billion)
Ilitch is passionate about rebuilding Detroit. In addition to owning two of the city’s franchises, he purchased the Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit and moved his business headquarters there. He also owns Little Caesars Pizza.
10. Richard DeVos, Orlando Magic ($5.4 billion)
After unsuccessfully pursuing a MLB expansion team in Orlando, DeVos bought the Magic in 1991 and has owned the franchise ever since. He is also the co-founder of Amway.
[Forbes]
