Key Takeaways:
– Rob Walton, the owner of the Denver Broncos, is the richest among NFL team owners with an estimated net worth of $77.4 billion.
– Walton’s vast fortune places him 19th on Forbes’ richest people in the world list.
– While his wealth surpasses other NFL owners, Walton is still second to Steve Ballmer, owner of the LA Clippers and former Microsoft CEO, in terms of sports franchise owners.
– The Broncos, valued at $5.1 billion, rank 13th on Forbes’ list of NFL team valuations.
– Despite his immense wealth, Walton’s tenure as owner has seen limited success on the field for the Broncos.
Rob Walton: The King of NFL Wealth
Rob Walton, the Denver Broncos owner, has an impressive fortune that outshines that of even his wealthiest peers in the NFL. With an estimated net worth of $77.4 billion, Walton’s wealth sets him apart from other team owners by a significant margin. This fact unsurprisingly earns Walton the title of the richest NFL team owner.
The Walton Family Legacy: From Walmart to NFL
Rob Walton’s fortune is largely inherited. He is the oldest son of Walmart founder, Sam Walton. The Walton family still owns half of Walmart’s stock, a testament to the enduring financial stability of the retail giant. Rob’s brother Jim Walton, with an estimated net worth of $78.4 billion, holds a spot one rank above him in the Forbes ranking of the world’s wealthiest people.
The Competition in NFL Wealth
Despite Rob Walton’s staggering wealth, the Hunt Family, owners of the Kansas City Chiefs, trails him in second place with their fortune of $24.8 billion. This figure—while enormous—is indicative of the significant lead Walton holds, coming in nearly $53 billion ahead. Perhaps more startling is Mike Brown—the “poorest” NFL owner—with a net worth of $925 million. This fact highlights the considerable wealth disparity among NFL owners.
Turning to Walton’s Reign over the Broncos
Since purchasing the Denver Broncos franchise for $4.7 billion in 2022, Walton’s reign has been characterized by a lack of success on the football field. Despite being valued at $5.1 billion, the Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since 2015 or had a winning season since 2016.
A major setback for the franchise happened when star athlete, Russell Wilson, was released after two seasons following a $245 million contract extension. This decision put the Broncos in a financially dire situation—an $85 million dead money hit—the team has yet to recover from, even with Walton’s deep pockets.
Pro Sports Owners’ Wealth: Walton Vs. Ballmer
While Walton is the richest among NFL owners, he still falls short compared to Steve Ballmer in terms of sports franchise owners. As the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and a former Microsoft CEO, Ballmer boasts a net worth of $121 billion, clearly surpassing Walton’s fortune.
Looking Ahead: Walton Hands Over Reins to Penner
Interestingly, while Walton is the richest NFL owner, he has delegated the day-to-day operations of the Broncos to his son-in-law, Greg Penner. Despite the setback from Wilson’s contract, Penner, the current acting head, remains hopeful for the future of the Broncos as they continue their journey under Walton’s ownership.