Gayle Benson is an American billionaire businesswoman, philanthropist, and owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. A New Orleans native, she assumed control of both franchises after the death of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018, becoming one of the most powerful women in professional sports and a major civic force in Louisiana through sports ownership, business leadership, Catholic philanthropy, and Gulf South community development.

Gail Miller, owner of the Larry H. Miller Group, turned a family auto-dealership business into one of Utah’s largest private fortunes. After her husband Larry’s death in 2009, she led the company through major changes, including the $3.2 billion sale of its dealership business and the $1.66 billion sale of the Utah Jazz. Her group now spans real estate, healthcare, finance, sports, and entertainment, while Miller remains a major force in Utah business and philanthropy.

Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective, built one of the most influential platforms in modern philanthropy and impact investing after inheriting stakes in Apple and Disney. Through Emerson, she focuses on education, immigration, climate, journalism, and social change, while also serving as owner of The Atlantic and founder of College Track and XQ Institute. Her profile combines Silicon Valley wealth, media ownership, and long-term philanthropic influence.

Dee Haslam, CEO of Haslam Sports Group, is a co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Crew, and Milwaukee Bucks, giving her one of the broadest sports ownership profiles in the U.S. Before sports, she built her career in television production as founder and executive producer of RIVR Media. She is also tied to the Haslam family’s Pilot business legacy and remains active in philanthropy, education, healthcare, and community organizations in Ohio and Tennessee.

James Pallotta, founder and chairman of Raptor Group, built his fortune in hedge funds and private investing before extending his reach into sports and venture-backed technology. After a high-profile run at Tudor Investment Corporation, he launched Raptor in 2009 and turned it into a family office–backed investment firm with bets across technology, media, consumer, and sports. He later became widely known as the former chairman and owner of AS Roma, giving him a rare profile that spans Wall Street, venture investing, and global sports ownership.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the NBA legend turned business mogul, built a billion-dollar empire by parlaying his basketball fame into a far-reaching portfolio of investments in sports, insurance, real estate, and urban-focused businesses. After redefining the point guard position with the Los Angeles Lakers, he became one of the most successful athlete-entrepreneurs in America, with holdings tied to major league franchises and long-term strategic investments. Johnson stands as a rare figure who translated sports stardom into enduring business power.

William "Bill" Chisholm, cofounder and managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, built his fortune by investing in enterprise software and technology services companies, helping turn STG into a major private equity force in the sector. Long known for operating outside the spotlight, he gained far wider public attention after agreeing to buy the Boston Celtics in a record-setting deal, adding professional sports ownership to a career defined by disciplined technology investing.

Marc Lore, serial entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune by repeatedly spotting where consumer behavior was heading next—from e-commerce to food delivery. After cofounding Quidsi and later launching Jet.com, which Walmart acquired for $3.3 billion in 2016, he became one of the most prominent operators in digital commerce. He has since turned to next-generation retail and delivery through Wonder, while also expanding into sports ownership, cementing his reputation as a high-velocity builder of consumer businesses.

Peter Guber, chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, is a veteran Hollywood producer and entrepreneur who has built a cross-platform empire spanning film, television, sports, and digital media. After earlier leadership roles at major studios, he founded Mandalay in 1995 and went on to produce or back commercially successful projects while extending his reach into sports ownership and media investing. Known for combining storytelling instincts with sharp business strategy, Guber remains one of the most influential dealmakers in entertainment.

Wesley Edens, cofounder and co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, built one of the most influential alternative asset managers by specializing in credit, private equity, and infrastructure investing. Known for opportunistic dealmaking across distressed assets and complex financial situations, Edens helped grow Fortress into a global platform managing billions for institutional investors. Beyond finance, he is a prominent sports owner as co-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and a leading figure in infrastructure development through Brightline, a privately operated passenger rail system in the United States.

Tom Gores is the billionaire founder of Platinum Equity and owner of the Detroit Pistons. In February 2026, he launched "Same Page Entertainment," a multimedia venture with Jalen Rose to spotlight Detroit’s creative talent. His sports portfolio expanded recently to include a WNBA franchise set to debut in 2029 and a minority stake in the LA Chargers. On the court, his Pistons have surged to the top of the Eastern Conference behind MVP candidate Cade Cunningham. A prolific philanthropist, Gores recently donated $350,000 to SAY Detroit to revitalize the historic St. Cecilia’s Gym. With over $50 billion in assets under management at Platinum Equity, he remains a dominant force in global private equity and Michigan’s economic resurgence.

Alan Smolinisky is a billionaire entrepreneur, principal at Conquest Housing, and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He first built his fortune with Conquest Student Housing, which became the largest provider at USC before selling for $205 million in 2008. In 2026, he serves as a director at Jack in the Box, chairing its Capital Allocation Committee following a late 2025 appointment. A dedicated value investor and philanthropist, he has committed 90% of his estate to charity and is a vocal advocate for immigration reform, famously hosting mass naturalization ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. He remains a key figure in sports business, previously partnering with Phil Knight on a $2 billion bid for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Tilman Fertitta is the billionaire owner of the Houston Rockets and Landry’s, currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy. Since his 2025 appointment, he has balanced diplomacy in Rome with oversight of his gaming and hospitality empire. In 2026, he remains a central figure in the Rockets' strategy, which recently included the acquisition of Kevin Durant. A prominent philanthropist, he recently unveiled a historic Lincoln casket flag and continues his massive support for the University of Houston. His dual role makes him a unique power player in both international relations and professional sports.

Ted Leonsis is the founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owning the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics. A former AOL executive, he pioneered the "teams as platforms" model, though his 2024 attempt to move his franchises to Virginia hit a high-profile dead end. He ultimately secured a deal to renovate D.C.’s Capital One Arena, anchoring his teams in the District through 2050. A venture capitalist at Revolution Growth, Leonsis operates with a "double bottom line" philosophy, valuing community impact alongside financial success. Whether chasing Stanley Cups or tech disruptions, he remains a central figure in the digital evolution of global sports.

Steven Rales is the co-founder and chairman of Danaher Corporation, which he and his brother Mitchell transformed from a real estate trust into a global science and technology powerhouse. He is the architect of the Danaher Business System, a management philosophy rooted in Kaizen that emphasizes continuous improvement and has guided the acquisition of hundreds of companies in the life sciences and diagnostics sectors. Under his leadership, Danaher became one of the most successful industrial conglomerates in history, known for its disciplined capital allocation. In addition to his business career, Rales is a significant figure in the film industry as the founder of Indian Paintbrush, the production company behind nearly all of Wes Anderson’s films, and he recently acquired the Criterion Collection to ensure the preservation of classic cinema.

Sidney Kimmel is the founder of Jones Apparel Group, a fashion empire he built into a global leader with brands like Nine West and Anne Klein. Beyond the garment industry, he is a prolific film producer and the force behind Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, having backed acclaimed projects such as Hell or High Water, United 93, and Crazy Rich Asians. Kimmel’s diverse business portfolio also includes a minority ownership stake in the Miami Heat. A dedicated philanthropist, he has donated hundreds of millions to cancer research and the arts, establishing major centers in Philadelphia and at Johns Hopkins. His career reflects a unique blend of retail dominance, cinematic vision, and a profound commitment to public service and professional sports.

Ryan Smith, cofounder and executive chairman of Qualtrics, built one of the most influential enterprise software companies of the cloud era by turning experience data into a core business discipline. Starting Qualtrics in his parents’ basement in Utah, Smith scaled it into a global platform used by corporations and governments to measure customer, employee, and brand experience. After selling Qualtrics to SAP in a blockbuster deal, he later guided its public market return and continued expanding the product vision around analytics and decision intelligence. Smith is also a high-profile sports owner, leading the ownership group of the Utah Jazz and investing heavily in community and innovation initiatives.

Ross Perot Jr., businessman and real estate developer, built a major presence in transportation and property development while extending the Perot family legacy beyond technology. As chairman of Hillwood, he expanded the company into one of the most important industrial real estate and logistics developers in the United States, building massive distribution hubs, mixed-use communities, and aviation-linked projects. Perot also played a pioneering role in global aviation as part of the first circumnavigation of the world by helicopter. Known for long-term infrastructure vision and disciplined execution, he remains a central figure in modern logistics real estate and Dallas business leadership.

Robert Pera, founder and CEO of Ubiquiti, built a multibillion-dollar networking equipment company by challenging traditional enterprise hardware economics with a lean, engineer-driven model. A former Apple engineer, Pera launched Ubiquiti to deliver high-performance wireless and networking products at disruptive price points, relying on community-driven marketing and minimal overhead rather than large sales forces. The company became a global supplier to internet service providers and businesses worldwide, while Pera maintained tight control and a low public profile. He is also known as the owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, blending technology entrepreneurship with high-profile sports ownership.

Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation, built the world’s largest cruise company into a dominant force in global leisure travel while also shaping professional sports as owner of the Miami Heat. After taking the helm of his family’s cruise business, Arison expanded Carnival through scale, brand diversification, and operational efficiency, overseeing multiple marquee cruise lines and a vast global fleet. Beyond travel, he transformed the Heat into an NBA powerhouse with multiple championships, applying a disciplined, culture-driven ownership style. Known for a low public profile and long-term focus, Arison remains one of the most influential figures in hospitality and sports ownership.