The Richest NBA Owners, Ranked by Net Worth

In a League of His Own

Steve Ballmer wasn't the founder of Microsoft, but he was one of the first 30 employees of the company. When Bill Gates stepped aside from his CEO role in the company in 2000, Ballmer replaced him in a position he held until February of 2014. Less than six months later, Ballmer purchased the Clippers for $2 billion after his predecessor, Donald Sterling, was permanently banned from the NBA after racially insensitive recordings of him leaked. Business Insider ranked Ballmer the 11th wealthiest person in the world in 2019.

The NBA's Wealthiest Female Owner Has Deep Connections

Joseph Isai, Brooklyn Nets: $10.5 billion
Micky Arison, Miami Heat: $6.2 billion
Ann Walton Kroenke, Denver Nuggets: $5.5 billion
Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets: $4.7 billion
Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers: $4.2 billion

Ann Walton Kroenke is the owner of the Denver Nuggets, and part of two of the wealthiest families in American history. Her uncle, Sam Walton, and father, Bud Walton, were the cofounders of Walmart. Her husband, Stan Kroenke, is worth $7.7 billion and owns Aresenal Football Club and the Los Angeles Rams, among other entities. Walton Kroenke, 71, also owns the Colorado Avalanche.

Harris Headlines Star-Studded Sixers' Ownership Group

Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks: $4 billion
Joe Lacob, Golden State Warriors: $3 billion
Tony Ressler, Atlanta Hawks: $3 billion
Tom Gores, Detroit Pistons: $2.9 billion
Gayle Benson, New Orleans Pelicans: $2.8 billion
Joshua Harris, Philadelphia 76ers: $2.7 billion

Joshua Harris was one of the cofounders of Apollo Global Management, which he has parlayed into being a multi-billionaire that is the majority owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. David Blitzer, Michael Rubin, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Kevin Hart all own varying percentages of the Sixers as well.

His Airness Checks In

Glen Taylor, Minnesota Timberwolves: $2.3 billion
Michael Jordan, Charlotte Hornets: $2.2 billion
Robert Pera, Memphis Grizzles: $2.1 billion
James Dolan, New York Knicks: $2 billion
Marc Lasry, Milwaukee Bucks: $1.82 billion
Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls: $1.5 billion
Ted Leonsis, Washington Wizards: $1 billion

Michael Jordan is by far the wealthiest former NBA player, with a net worth more than three times that of Magic Johnson, the second richest former NBA player. Celebrity Net Worth says that he earned $93.7 million during his illustrious NBA career, which is nothing to scoff at. Still, it's nowhere near a couple billion. The way he's leapfrogged his former employer, Jerry Reinsdorf, is by building an unmatched brand that nets him $100 million per year in endorsements per Celebrity Net Worth. A large chunk of that, of course, comes from his Air Jordan Nike brand. The Hornets' franchise - which went by the name "Bobcats" when Jordan bought the team for $275 million in March of 2010 - is also now worth $1.5 billion according to Forbes.

Don’t Mix Family and Business

Vivek Ranadivé, Sacramento Kings: $700 million
Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers: $500 million
Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics: $400 million
Clay Bennett, Oklahoma City Thunder: $400 million
Robert Sarver, Phoenix Suns: $400 million
Peter Holt, San Antonio Spurs: $200 million

The Lakers won 10 NBA titles under the ownership of the late Jerry Buss. Since his passing in February of 2013, his children haven't been able to emulate that success - although they do appear to be back on track now - and they haven't shied away from conflict in regards to who owns what percentage of the organization. Though Jeanie Buss' older brothers - Jim and Johnny - own percentages of the organization, there's no debate about who is the point person at Buss Family Trusts. Jeanie pushed Jim out as vice president of basketball operations in February of 2017, and was named the controlling owner of the team in a court ruling just over a month later.