Clippers owner Steve Ballmer Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer named richest in pro sports

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 9/28/22

The L.A. Clippers might have been booted during the NBA play-in tournament last season, but owner Steve Ballmer isn't feeling that sting. Well, at least his bank account isn't, because Forbes just named him the richest team owner in professional sports in 2022.

The former Microsoft CEO, who bought the Clippers in 2014, has an estimated net worth of $83 billion.

"That’s $13.5 billion less than last year due to a drop in the value of Microsoft stock, but he’d be down even more if not for the Clippers," Forbes wrote. "He bought the NBA team in 2014 from embattled former owner Donald Sterling for $2 billion. It’s now the sixth-most valuable NBA club, valued at $3.3 billion."

This also makes him the eighth richest person in the world, according to the publication.

Richest People in America, 2022

1. Elon Musk - $251b
2. Jeff Bezos - $151b
3. Bill Gates - $106b
4. Larry Ellison - $101b
5. Warren Buffett - $97b
6. Larry Page - $93b
7. Sergey Brin - $89b
8. Steve Ballmer - $83b
9. Michael Bloomberg - $76.8b
10. Jim Walton - $57.9b

(Forbes)
— Syed Zabiullah Langari (@syed2000) September 27, 2022

ESPN summarizes that among the richest sports team owners, many own NFL teams. This includes Denver Broncos owner Rob Walton, who purchased the Colorado-based football franchise in 2022 for a record $4.65 billion.

"This year’s Forbes 400 includes 50 sports team owners with controlling stakes, up from 43 last year," Forbes said. "Seventeen own NFL teams, 14 own NBA franchises, 12 own NHL clubs, and nine are MLB owners."

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