Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner and chairman of the New York Yankees, inherited leadership of Major League Baseball’s most iconic franchise from his father, George Steinbrenner. Since assuming control in 2008, he has balanced the legacy of the Yankees’ storied past with the financial and operational demands of modern sports management. Under his stewardship, the team has continued to rank among the most valuable sports franchises in the world, leveraging brand power, media rights, and stadium operations while maintaining its pursuit of championships.

Glen A. Taylor, Minnesota billionaire businessman, built his fortune through Taylor Corporation, one of the largest privately held printing and marketing companies in the U.S. Starting as an employee, he bought the company in 1975 and expanded it into a diversified enterprise spanning printing, communications, and technology solutions. Beyond business, Taylor is well known as owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, as well as a former state senator. His career blends entrepreneurship, sports ownership, and community engagement, making him a prominent figure in both business and civic life.

Samih Sawiris, Egyptian billionaire and tourism mogul, transformed his family’s business acumen into a global hospitality and real estate empire. As founder of Orascom Development, he spearheaded the creation of integrated resort towns across Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, blending luxury hotels, marinas, golf courses, and residential communities. Known for projects like El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Sawiris has combined visionary master planning with sustainable development, positioning himself as a leading force in high-end tourism and destination creation.

Frank McCourt, real estate developer and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, built his fortune through large-scale property holdings and high-profile sports investments. After selling the Dodgers in 2012 for a record $2.15 billion, he expanded his portfolio through McCourt Global, a diversified enterprise spanning real estate, sports, media, and technology. Known for bold, often controversial deals, McCourt has also turned his attention to digital infrastructure projects aimed at rethinking data ownership, positioning himself as both a traditional asset mogul and a forward-looking tech investor.

Everett Dobson is an Oklahoma-based billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist. As Executive Chairman of Dobson Fiber (and former CEO of Dobson Communications), he built one of the country’s largest rural wireless providers—from a family-owned telephone company into a $1.6 billion business across 17 states, sold to AT&T in 2007. He now leads regional fiber‑optics expansion, serves as a minority owner of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, and chairs leading thoroughbred racing organizations.

Edward P. “Ed” Roski Jr. is the billionaire president and chairman of Majestic Realty Co., one of the largest privately held real estate developers in the U.S., with over 80–90 million square feet of industrial and commercial properties. A decorated Vietnam veteran who earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, he is also a part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings, co-founded the Land of the Free Foundation supporting veterans, and serves on USC’s board and numerous museum and civic boards. 

Drayton McLane Jr. is a self-made billionaire business magnate and philanthropist best known for building the McLane Company into a nationwide grocery and logistics powerhouse—growing revenue from $3 million to $19 billion—and later selling it to Walmart in 1990. He served as vice-chairman of Walmart while expanding The McLane Group, a family-owned holding company investing globally. He also owned and led the Houston Astros from 1993 to 2011 as chairman and CEO, becoming the first Texas team to reach the World Series under his tenure.

David Rubenstein is an American lawyer, billionaire investor, and philanthropist who co-founded The Carlyle Group in 1987. From humble beginnings in Baltimore, he built Carlyle into a global private equity powerhouse managing over $426 billion in assets as of 2023. In 2024, he became principal owner of the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and chairs numerous institutions including the Kennedy Center (until 2025), Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Gallery of Art.

David Blitzer is an American investor and sports team owner. As Blackstone’s Chairman of Tactical Opportunities, he oversees global investing across asset classes. In 2011, he co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the first entity to hold equity in all five major U.S. men’s leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS). His portfolio includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Cleveland Guardians, Real Salt Lake (now minority stake), and the Washington Commanders.

Daniel Sundheim is the American billionaire founder and Chief Investment Officer of D1 Capital Partners, a high-conviction global investment firm launched in 2018. A former CIO at Viking Global with 15 years of experience, he built D1 into a multi‑billion‑dollar firm investing across public and private markets—including leading positions in Instacart and SpaceX. He also serves on boards of MoMA, NYU Langone, and Columbia Grammar.

Daniel Snyder is the American entrepreneur who founded Snyder Communications and later owned the Washington Commanders (NFL) from 1999 to 2023. He purchased the team for $800 million and controversially sold it for a record $6.05 billion amid investigations, fan backlash, and workplace misconduct scandals that ultimately led to his forced exit. He now resides in London and remains a polarizing sports legacy figure

Christopher Ilitch is the president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, the Detroit-based privately held conglomerate founded by his parents Mike and Marian Ilitch. He oversees iconic brands such as Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and their real estate & entertainment ventures. Since becoming sole CEO in 2004, he has led over a 600% revenue increase and drives Detroit renaissance through projects like The District Detroit.

Carl Lindner III is the co-CEO and co-president of American Financial Group, a Cincinnati-based Fortune 500 insurance and financial services firm. As longtime chair of Great American Insurance since 1987, he oversees specialized commercial P&C operations while managing over $30 billion in assets. A devout Christian known for disciplined risk-taking and philanthropy, Lindner embodies his family’s values-driven leadership legacy.

Bruce Karsh is the co-founder, co-chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, the global leader in distressed-debt investing with nearly $190 billion in assets under management. A former appellate clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Karsh transitioned from law to finance, quietly building a reputation as the “quiet secret behind Oaktree’s success” alongside Howard Marks.

Bill Haslam is an American billionaire businessman and politician, best known as the 49th governor of Tennessee (2011–2019) and former mayor of Knoxville. A graduate of Emory University, he led the family’s Pilot travel-center empire—selling a majority stake to Berkshire Hathaway—and championed education reforms and economic growth in Tennessee.

Bill Alfond is an American investor and philanthropist who inherited a billion-dollar fortune when his father, Harold Alfond, exchanged Dexter Shoe Company for Berkshire Hathaway stock. A trustee and Maine community supporter, he co-founded the Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation and holds a minority stake in Fenway Sports Group alongside his siblings. 

Bennett Rosenthal is a billionaire financier and co‑founder of Ares Management, #2 on Forbes’ private credit scale. As Managing Partner and Chairman of the firm’s Private Equity Group, he oversees a diversified portfolio that spans credit, real estate, tech, healthcare, and entertainment. He’s also lead managing owner of LAFC, the MLS’s most valuable team.

Ben Ashkenazy is an Israeli‑American real estate billionaire who founded Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation in 1987, now overseeing a $12 billion global property portfolio. Known for strategic landmark deals like stakes in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and London’s Grosvenor House, he’s raised fresh capital to pursue discounted acquisitions—cementing his reputation as a bold, shrewd titan in commercial real estate.  

Behdad Eghbali is an Iranian–American billionaire and co‑founder & managing partner of Clearlake Capital, the fast‑growing private equity firm with over $90 billion in assets under management. A UC Berkeley Haas alumnus and former TPG and Morgan Stanley banker, he has steered high-profile investments in technology, industrials, and more. In May 2022, he became co-owner of Chelsea Football Club, reflecting his expanding global influence in sports ownership.