This billionaire with NC ties is among the world’s richest sports team owners
A billionaire with connections to North Carolina is one of the 10 wealthiest sports team owners in the world, according to Forbes.
The owner, David Tepper, has a net worth of $21.3 billion and made his fortune through the hedge fund Appaloosa Management, which he founded in 1993.
Tepper, who is the 95th wealthiest person in the world, purchased the Carolina Panthers professional football team in 2018 in a $2.3 billion deal, according to Forbes.
The Florida resident also owns Charlotte FC, the soccer club he was awarded in 2019.
World’s richest sports team owners
Forbes calculated individuals’ net worth as of March 7, 2025. Here’s who made the publication’s list:
- No. 1: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer (net worth: $118 billion)
- No. 2: Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton and family (net worth: $110 billion)
- No. 3: Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson and family (net worth: $32.1 billion)
- No. 4: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Daniel Gilbert (net worth: $27.8 billion)
- No. 5: FC Famalicão owner Idan Ofer (net worth: $22.5 billion)
- No. 6: Stade Rennais FC owner François Pinault & family (net worth: $21.7 billion)
- No. 7 (tie): New York Mets owner Steve Cohen (net worth: $21.3 billion)
- No. 7 (tie): Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC owner David Tepper (net worth: $21.3 billion)
- No. 9: Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli (net worth: $19.7 billion)
- No. 10: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (net worth: $18.4 billion)
- No. 11: Owner of Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Arsenal FC and Arsenal Women FC, Stanley Kroenke (net worth: $18 billion)
- No. 12: Los Angeles Kings and LA Galaxy owner Philip Anschutz (net worth: $16.9 billion)
- No. 13: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and family (net worth: $16.6 billion)
- No. 14: Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera (net worth: $15.7 billion)
- No. 15: San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner and family (net worth: $15.2 billion)
- No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC owner Shahid Khan (net worth: $13.4 billion)
- No. 17: FC Midtjylland owner Anders Holch Povlsen (net worth: $12.8 billion)
- No. 18: Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty owner Joseph Tsai (net worth: $12.1 billion)
- No. 19: New England Patriots and New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft (net worth: $11.8 billion)
- No. 20: Atlanta Hawks owner Antony Ressler (net worth: $11.4 billion)
- No. 21: Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta (net worth: $11.3 billion)
- No. 22 (tie): Washington Commanders, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris (net worth: $9.9 billion)
- No. 22 (tie): Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia (net worth: $9.9 billion)
- No. 24: Aston Villa FC and Aston Villa Women FC owner Nassef Sawiris (net worth: $9.6 billion)
- No. 25: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores (net worth: $9.4 billion)
The world’s most valuable sports franchise is the Dallas Cowboys, with an estimated worth of $10.1 billion, according to Forbes.
David Tepper’s history with North Carolina sports teams
Since Tepper has owned the NFL team, the Panthers have not made it to the postseason.
In the NFL Players’ Association survey, which was released in February, Tepper received a D- grade in ownership, The Charlotte Observer reported. That rating put him near the very bottom of the list, ahead of only Woody Johnson of the New York Jets.
In 2024, Tepper’s grade was a D.
Some complaints about Tepper are related to the artificial turf field at Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers and Charlotte FC play. While the turf has allowed the venue to host more and different events, such as concerts, there are concerns that turf fields are more dangerous for players, compared to natural grass.
The MLS team Charlotte FC has had more success in recent years, having reached the playoffs in the past two years and recording high regular-season attendance in the past three years, Forbes says.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM with the headline "This billionaire with NC ties is among the world’s richest sports team owners."
