The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular and successful sports leagues in the world. It is also one of the most lucrative, with revenues reaching over $15 billion in 2020. But do you know who owns NFL in 2024?
Despite its success, many people are unsure of who actually owns the NFL. In this article, we will explore the ownership structure of the NFL, including the makeup of the league, the role of the commissioner, and the individuals and corporations that own the teams.
The Makeup of the NFL
Content Summery
The NFL is made up of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each team is owned by a group of individuals or corporations, with the exception of the Green Bay Packers, which is owned by the community through a non-profit organization.
The teams compete against each other during the 18-week regular season with the goal of making it to the playoffs and, ultimately, the Super Bowl, the league’s championship game.
The Role of the Commissioner
The league is headquartered in New York City, and the commissioner of the NFL is Roger Goodell. The commissioner is responsible for the overall management of the league, including the negotiation of television contracts and the enforcement of NFL rules and regulations.
The commissioner is also responsible for the discipline of players, coaches, and other personnel for violations of league rules.
The Ownership of NFL Teams
The ownership of NFL teams is a diverse group of individuals and corporations. Some of the most notable owners include:
- Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. Kraft is a businessman and philanthropist who has owned the Patriots since 1994. He is one of the most successful owners in the league, with the Patriots winning six Super Bowls under his ownership.
- Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones is a businessman and entrepreneur who has owned the Cowboys since 1989. He is also the team’s general manager and is known for his hands-on approach to running the team.
- Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins. Ross is a real estate developer and philanthropist who has owned the Dolphins since 2009. He is also the founder and chairman of The Related Companies, one of the largest real estate development companies in the world.
- The Mara and Tisch families co-own one of the most successful NFL teams, New York Giants. The Mara and Tisch families have owned the Giants since the team’s inception in 1925. The Mara family has a long history in the NFL, with Wellington Mara, the team’s former owner, and president, being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The ownership of NFL teams is not limited to just wealthy individuals, however. Many teams are owned by corporations, such as the San Francisco 49ers, which is owned by the York family, and the Buffalo Bills, which is owned by Kim and Terry Pegula.
Do Players Own The NFL?
No, players do not own the NFL. The NFL is a privately held business, and the teams are owned by a diverse group of individuals and corporations. The ownership structure of the NFL is unique compared to other professional sports leagues in that it is not a publicly traded league.
This means that the teams are not owned by shareholders but by a specific group of individuals or corporations. The players are not part of this group of owners and do not have a stake in the ownership of the league or the teams.
They are employees of the teams and are compensated for their services through salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.
The Ownership Structure of the NFL
The ownership structure of the NFL is unique compared to other professional sports leagues. Unlike the NBA, MLB, and NHL, the NFL is not a publicly traded league, meaning that the teams are not owned by shareholders.
This allows the owners to make decisions without the need to seek approval from shareholders, but it also means that the ownership of teams is not as transparent as it is in other leagues.
Which NFL Owners Are The Richest?
The National Football League (NFL) is home to some of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Among them, we will discuss seven of the richest NFL owners and their net worth.
- Stephen Ross – Miami Dolphins: With a net worth of $7.6 billion, Stephen Ross is the richest NFL owner. He is a real estate developer and philanthropist and is also the founder and chairman of The Related Companies, one of the largest real estate development companies in the world.
- Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys: With a net worth of $8 billion, Jerry Jones is the second-richest NFL owner. He is a businessman and entrepreneur and is also the team’s general manager. Jones is known for his hands-on approach to running the team and his leadership in the league’s revenue-sharing model.
- Shahid Khan – Jacksonville Jaguars: With a net worth of $8 billion, Shahid Khan is the third-richest NFL owner. He is a businessman and entrepreneur and the founder, owner, and CEO of Flex-N-Gate, a leading manufacturer of automotive parts.
- Robert Kraft – New England Patriots: With a net worth of $6.2 billion, Robert Kraft is the fourth-richest NFL owner. He has owned the Patriots since 1994 and is one of the most successful owners in the league, with the team winning six Super Bowls under his ownership.
- Stan Kroenke – Los Angeles Rams: With a net worth of $8.3 billion, Stan Kroenke is the fifth-richest NFL owner. He is a businessman and real estate developer and the founder and CEO of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns several sports teams and venues.
- Arthur Blank – Atlanta Falcons: With a net worth of $5 billion, Arthur Blank is the sixth-richest NFL owner. He is a businessman and entrepreneur and is the co-founder of The Home Depot. He has owned the Falcons since 2002.
- Patricia Rooney – Pittsburgh Steelers: With a net worth of $3.5 billion, Patricia Rooney is the seventh-richest NFL owner. She is the widow of Dan Rooney, who owned the Steelers until his death in 2017. The Rooney family has owned the Steelers since 1933.
These are some of the wealthiest NFL owners, and their net worth, this list may change as the wealth of the NFL owners is constantly changing.
The NFL is a profitable business, and the owners are among the wealthiest people in the world. These owners have made their fortunes through various business ventures, and their wealth only continues to grow as their teams continue to be successful on and off the field.
How Do You Become An NFL Team Owner?
Becoming an NFL team owner is a difficult and complex process. It typically requires a significant amount of wealth, business acumen, and connections within the NFL community. Here are the general steps to becoming an NFL team owner:
Build wealth:
The first step in becoming an NFL team owner is to build wealth. This is because owning an NFL team is an expensive endeavor, with the average team valued at over $2 billion. Building wealth through successful business ventures or investments is the foundation of becoming an NFL team owner.
Network:
Building connections within the NFL community is essential to becoming an NFL team owner. This includes developing relationships with current NFL owners, executives, and other key figures within the league. It is important to understand the business of the NFL and how teams operate.
Find a team for sale:
Not all teams are for sale at any given time, so it’s important to keep an eye out for teams that may be available. It is important to have a good understanding of the team, including its financials, operations, and market dynamics.
Form a group of investors:
Once a team is identified, it’s important to form a group of investors who will help finance the purchase of the team. This group should include individuals and/or companies with significant wealth, business acumen, and a passion for football.
Make an offer:
Once a team is identified, and a group of investors is formed, the next step is to make an offer to the current owner of the team. The offer should include the purchase price, financing plans, and other key terms and conditions.
Obtain approval from NFL owners:
After an offer is accepted, the final step is to obtain approval from the NFL owners. This process includes a thorough review of the potential new owner’s financials and background. The NFL owners will vote on the proposed sale, and it must be approved by at least 24 of the 32 teams to be approved.
It’s important to note that becoming an NFL team owner is not an easy feat; it requires a significant amount of wealth, business acumen, and the ability to navigate the complex and competitive world of NFL ownership.
It’s also important to note that the process of buying an NFL team can be long and difficult, and it is not guaranteed that an offer will be accepted or that the NFL owners will approve the sale.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the National Football League (NFL) is a privately held business and is not owned by players, nor is it publicly traded. The teams are owned by a diverse group of individuals and corporations, with the exception of the Green Bay Packers, which is owned by the community through a non-profit organization.
The NFL is led by a commissioner, Roger Goodell, who is responsible for the overall management of the league and the enforcement of league rules and regulations. The ownership structure of the NFL allows for decision-making without the need for approval from shareholders, but it also means that the ownership of teams is not as transparent as it is in other leagues.
It’s important to note that becoming an NFL team owner is not an easy feat; it requires a significant amount of wealth, business acumen, and the ability to navigate the complex and competitive world of NFL ownership.
FAQs
Q. Who owns the NFL trademark?
The NFL trademark is owned by the National Football League (NFL) itself, a non-profit organization that governs the league. The NFL owns and controls the rights to the name and logo of the league, as well as the rights to all intellectual property associated with the league, including trademarks, logos, and other branding elements.
Q. Is the NFL publicly owned?
No, the NFL is not publicly owned. The NFL is a privately held business, and the teams are owned by a diverse group of individuals and corporations. The league is not traded on public stock exchanges, and ownership stakes are not made available to the general public.
Q. How does the NFL make money?
The NFL makes money through a variety of revenue streams, including television rights, ticket sales, merchandise sales, and sponsorship deals. The league also receives revenue from the sale of personal seat licenses and from hosting major events such as the Super Bowl.
Q. Is the NFL a company?
The NFL is not a traditional company; it is a non-profit organization that governs the league. It is made up of 32 teams, each of which is owned by a group of individuals or corporations. The NFL’s main purpose is to govern and promote the league, and it makes money through a variety of revenue streams such as television rights, ticket sales, merchandise sales, and sponsorship deals.
Q. Is the NFL worth more than NBA?
The NFL is considered to be worth more than the NBA, with the average NFL team valued at over $2 billion, compared to the average NBA team valued at around $1.9 billion. The NFL generates more revenue from television rights and sponsorship deals and has a larger fan base than the NBA.