Billionaires Making Waves in Sports Team Purchases and Sales This Year

Billionaires Making Moves in Sports Team Ownership

Few assets are as coveted as professional sports teams — just ask President Donald Trump, who attempted to purchase an NFL team in the 1980s and again in 2014. The allure goes beyond exclusivity. In today’s streaming and cord-cutting era, live sports remain a major draw, with top-tier leagues securing lucrative TV deals. As a result, when teams hit the market, record prices are frequently set.

The Billionaires Buying and Selling Teams in 2025

1. Mark Walter
   Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter, already the primary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is reportedly buying the Los Angeles Lakers for a staggering $10 billion.

2. Bill Chisholm
   Bill Chisholm, managing partner at STG Partners, led a group that purchased the Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion, marking a record for North American sports franchises before the Lakers’ sale.

3. Marc Lore
   The CEO of Wonder, Marc Lore, along with MLB star Alex Rodriguez, purchased the Minnesota Timberwolves for $1.5 billion. The deal was previously contentious but has now received NBA approval.

4. Woody Johnson
   Owner of the New York Jets, Woody Johnson bought a 43% stake in the English Premier League team Crystal Palace for approximately $254 million.

5. Tom Gores
   Tom Gores, who owns the Detroit Pistons, will also run a new WNBA franchise in Detroit after paying a record $250 million expansion fee.

6. Josh Harris
   Co-founder of Apollo Global Management, Josh Harris will share ownership of a new WNBA team in Philadelphia, enhancing his portfolio, which includes the NBA’s 76ers and the NHL’s Devils.

7. Dan Gilbert
   Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is set to establish a new WNBA franchise in Cleveland, complementing his existing NBA team.

Notable Sellers:

1. Jeanie Buss and Family
   The controlling owner of the Lakers, Jeanie Buss, is selling the 17-time NBA champions to Walter, who will continue the legacy established by her father.

2. Wyc Grousbeck
   Wyc Grousbeck, co-owner of the Celtics, sold the team to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, a significant increase in the franchise’s valuation.

3. Glen Taylor
   Owner of the Timberwolves, Glen Taylor is selling his team to a group led by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez for $1.5 billion.

4. Jody Allen and Paul Allen’s Estate
   The estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is selling the Portland Trail Blazers, officially listed as for sale earlier this year.

Future Buyer Insight:

Justin Ishbia
Founder of Shore Capital Partners, Justin Ishbia is on track to potentially take over the Chicago White Sox as early as 2029. He currently holds a minority stake in the team.

Possible Future Seller:

Jerry Reinsdorf
Owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, Jerry Reinsdorf may sell control of the White Sox to Justin Ishbia by 2029, marking a significant shift in ownership within the MLB.

As ownership dynamics evolve, the intersection of sports and finance continues to attract notable figures with vast resources, reshaping the landscape of professional sports.