The coronavirus pandemic's toll on the finances of sports is one that, though far less important than the health and safety of players and staff, is a major concern for all major leagues. The case with Major League Baseball is no exception, and commissioner Rob Manfred has already voiced his concerns about the difficulties that the 2021 season is likely to bring.
However, though team owners will be affected by whatever further losses of revenue the league will inevitably face while coronavirus continues to run rampant, they don't seem to be hurting too badly. Today, we've compiled every MLB owner, ranked by their reported net worth from either Forbes, the Los Angeles Times or Celebrity Net Worth. And — surprise, surprise — they're all fairly well off, including the newest owner in baseball who is also the richest.
We've divided them into tiers to break it down further. Let's dive in.
*Asterisk* denotes an estimate from the Los Angeles Times.
Less Than $1 Billion: Small Market Teams
Stuart Sternberg chats with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.(Brian Blanco/Getty Images)Stuart Sternberg (Rays): $800 Million
Mark Attanasio (Brewers): $700 Million
Richard Monfort (Rockies): $700 Million*
Ken Kendrick (Diamondbacks): $600 million*
Ron Fowler (Padres): $500 Million
Bruce Sherman (Marlins): $500 Million
Bob Castellini (Reds): $400 Million
Sternberg heads the low-budget Rays, who have found massive amounts of success — including a 2020 World Series appearance — despite their famously inexpensive payroll. Sternberg purchased the team in 2004 for $200 million, and it's now worth more than five times that amount.
$1 to $3 Billion: Cubs Worth Nearly Double White Sox Despite Similar Owner Net Worth
Jerry Reinsdorf celebrates the White Sox 2005 World Series title.(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)John Fisher (Athletics): $2.9 Billion
John Henry (Red Sox): $2.6 Billion
Peter Angelos (Orioles) : $2 Billion
Ray Davis, Bob Simpson (Rangers): $2 Billion
Ricketts Family (Cubs): $1.8 Billion
Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox): $1.8 Billion
Jim Crane (Astros): $1.3 Billion
John Sherman (Royals): $1.25 Billion
John Stanton (Mariners): $1.1 Billion
Bob Nutting (Pirates): $1.1 Billion
In Forbes' 2020 team valuations, the Cubs ranked fourth on the list at $3.2 billion, while the White Sox were ranked No. 14 at $1.65 billion. The value of the Cubs has notably surged since their acquisition by the Ricketts family, led by Joe Ricketts, though ownership responsibilities were given to his four children (Tom, Pete, Laura and Todd). The elder Ricketts founded TD Ameritrade and took majority ownership of the Cubs in his 2009 acquisition of the team and the famous Wrigley Field.
The White Sox are owned by Reinsdorf, who also owns the NBA's Chicago Bulls and had a prominent role in the recent ESPN documentary "The Last Dance". Though he's primarily known for his ownership of sports teams, he got his start in real estate.
$3-$4 Billion: The Battle for LA
Dodgers star Mookie Betts talks with future Hall of Fame Angels first baseman Albert Pujols.(Harry How/Getty Images)Mark Walter (Dodgers): $4 Billion
William DeWitt Jr. (Cardinals): $4 billion
Hal Steinbrenner (Yankees): $3.8 Billion
Ilitch Family (Tigers): $3.8 Billion
Jim Pohlad (Twins): $3.8 Billion
Arturo and Carole Moreno (Angels): $3.3 Billion
John Middleton (Phillies): $3.3 Billion
Though Mark Walter is the principal owner and is worth a whopping $3.1 billion, there are several prominent names who hold partial ownership of the franchise, some of which are more recognizable than Walter's.
One of these is Magic Johnson, whose Magic Johnson Enterprises is estimated to be worth around $1 billion. He became co-owner of the Dodgers in 2012 and has been a part of the Los Angeles sports landscape in several ways, becoming a world-renowned star in his playing days with the Lakers, and co-owning both the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and LAFC of Major League Soccer.
Another is Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who, along with her partner Ilana Kloss, also has ownership of the Sparks.
Over $4 Billion: Dolans near the top
Larry Dolan accepts the William Harridge trophy, given to the American League champion each year.(Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Steve Cohen (Mets): 14.6 Billion
Rogers Communications, Rogers Family (Blue Jays): $8.75 billion
Liberty Media Corporation, John Malone (Braves): $6.6 billion
Paul Dolan and Family (Indians): $4.6 Billion
Ted Lerner and Family (Nationals): $4.5 Billion
Charlie Johnson (Giants): $4.3 Billion
If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard the last name Dolan at some point. Though James Dolan may be the name recognized the most nationally, due to his ownership of the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers -- and the fans' chants of "Fire Dolan" that spread across the internet -- it's his uncle, Larry Dolan, who is the owner of MLB's Indians and his cousin, Paul, who acts as the chairman and CEO. Paul is considered the controlling owner, as he oversees the daily operations of the club.
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