The Richest Owners In Sports

Forbes: The Richest Owners In Sports

Shiny, expensive toys are de rigueur for the world's wealthiest people. Among the highest-profile purchases a billionaire can make: a professional sports team. Forbes' list of the wealthiest people in the world is littered with owners of professional sports teams. The 10 richest owners in sports hail from all over the globe, from India to Russia to the U.S.

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The Richest Owne... Shiny, expensive toys are de rigueur for the world's wealthiest people. Among the highest-profile purchases a billionaire can make: a professional sports team. Forbes' list of the wealthiest people in the world is littered with owners of professional sports teams. The 10 richest owners in sports hail from all over the globe, from India to Russia to the U.S.
10. Joe Lewis Worth: $3.2 billion

Source: Investments

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 347

Team: Tottenham Hotspur

The British businessman is nicknamed "the boxer " because his name recalls the legendary Joe Louis. Lewis is the developer of Orlando's Isleworth and is friends with Tiger Woods. In 2001 he bought north London's Tottenham Hotspur, which is currently fifth in the English Premier League. Beat A.C. Milan, owned by fellow billionaire, Silvio Berlusconi, in UEFA round of 16.

(TOM STOCKHILL/NEWSCAST/Landov)
9. Charles Dolan... Worth: $3.3 billion

Source: Cablevision Systems

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 336

Teams: New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers

American Dolan founded Cablevision and HBO. His New York Knicks are relevant again, led by NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. Hockey's Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994; still in search of next championship. Son James is more fun: public spats with Mayor Bloomberg and others keep him in media crosshairs.

(Robin Platzer/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
8. Richard DeVos... Worth: $4.2 billion

Source: Amway

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 254

Team: Orlando Magic

DeVos is the cofounder of Amway and the recipient of a heart transplant in 1997. He bought the Magic in 1991 for $85 million in 1991. The team, led by superstar Dwight Howard, is now worth $385 million. His new Amway Center will host NBA All-Star game in 2012.

(Elsa/Getty Images)
7. Micky Arison Worth: $5.9 billion

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 169

Team: Miami Heat

The Carnival Cruise Line chairman has 98 boats sailing the seas under 11 different brands. But he made his biggest splash last year when he convinced LeBron James and Chris Bosh to take their talents to his Heat (which he bought in 1998) to join Dwyane Wade. The team has had ups and downs (they started 1-9), but they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

(JOHN VANBEEKUM/MCT/Newscom)
6. Philip Anschu... Worth: $7.5 billion

Source: Entertainment, oil

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 124

Team: Los Angeles Kings

The media-shy Anschutz is an avid runner and bicycler. He owns L.A.'s Staples Center and LA Live Complex. He also owns the city's hockey team, the Kings, which made a solid turnaround last year, making the playoffs after a drought. But Anschutz's biggest trick may be forthcoming: He recently pledged to finance an NFL stadium in Los Angeles, provided the city gets a franchise.

(Robert Mora/Getty Images)
5. Silvio Berlus... Worth: $7.8 billion

Source: Media

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 118

Team: A.C. Milan

Italy's prime minister is a media magnate and scandal magnet. The latest of the latter: allegedly soliciting prostitutes. But Berlusconi also happens to be the owner of one of the most-decorated soccer teams on the planet, A.C. Milan, which has won 7 UEFA titles. Milan leads the Italian Serie A, but lost in the UEFA round of 16 to Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premier League team owned by Joe Lewis.

(AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)
4. Paul Allen Worth: $13 billion

Source: Microsoft

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 57

Teams: Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks

The reclusive billionaire bought the NBA's Trail Blazers in 1988 for $70 million. The team is now worth $356 million. The solid squad misses its 2007 first-round draft pick, Greg Oden, whose career has been beset by injuries. Allen's Seahawks, coached by Pete Carroll, made the NFL's playoffs last year despite a losing record, and defeated the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints.

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
3. Roman Abramov... Worth: $13.4 billion

Source: Oil and steel

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 53

Team: Chelsea

Russian Abramovich bought Chelsea, a well-decorated soccer side, in 2003, and transformed them into "Chelski, " with high-profile signings and piles of debt. Abramovich attends most matches. Made a splash by signing Fernando Torres this year, but his team is mired in a disappointing fourth place in the English Premier League. Team worth: $646 million.

(ZUMA Press/Newscom)
2. Mikhail Prokh... Worth: $18 billion

Source: Precious metals

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 32

Team: New Jersey Nets

At 6 foot 8, Russian Prokhorov is tall enough to play basketball. He bought the Nets last year instead, becoming the first non-American to own an NBA team. The Nets were miserable last year, finishing 12-70, but have turned things around a bit this year, with addition of Deron Williams. The future looks bright, with the planned move to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2012.

(ZUMA Press/Newscom)
1. Mukesh Ambani... Worth: $27 billion

Source: inherited, oil, gas

Rank on Forbes list of World's Richest: 9

Team: Mumbai Indians

India's Ambani inherited the giant conglomerate Reliance Industries from his father. In 2008 he bought the unimaginatively named Indians. His cricket team suffered through two mediocre seasons, with a combined 43% winning percentage. Things are looking up: Last year the Indians lost in the finals of the Indian Premier League.

(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Baseball's 10 Hi... Pitching and power put fans in the seats and fetch the biggest contracts in baseball. To see the 10 players who lead the payrolls in 2011 and their salaries, click here.