The billionaires behind the 6 most expensive NBA franchises

James Dolan, the controversial executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports, has owned the Knicks for decades. While the team’s on-court performance has been inconsistent until recently, Dolan has leveraged the iconic Madison Square Garden arena in New York City to keep the franchise highly profitable. A businessman with deep roots in entertainment, Dolan also oversees the operations of the New York Rangers and has interests in music, often performing with his band, JD & The Straight Shot.

The Knicks made a significant move in 2024 by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns, a dominant big man who adds both scoring and defensive versatility. This acquisition has provided the team with a much-needed inside presence, elevating their competitiveness in the Eastern Conference. Towns’ arrival has reinvigorated the Knicks’ roster and improved their playoff prospects, further enhancing the franchise’s value and appeal to both fans and sponsors.

Jeanie Buss, the daughter of legendary Lakers owner Dr Jerry Buss, became the controlling owner of the franchise in 2017. A skilled businesswoman, she has continued her father’s legacy by keeping the Lakers at the forefront of the NBA’s financial and competitive landscape. Buss played a critical role in securing LeBron James in 2018, a move that revitalised the team and led to an NBA Championship in 2020. She has also been a strong advocate for gender equality in sports leadership, making history as the first female controlling owner to win an NBA title. 

Under her guidance, the Lakers remain one of the most marketable and commercially successful teams in professional sports. Her leadership and career have also been dramatised in the Netflix series Running Point, which is inspired by her life and the challenges of running a legendary franchise in a male-dominated industry. 

Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, and Todd Boehly, a billionaire investor with stakes in the LA Dodgers and Chelsea FC, also hold minority shares, adding significant financial backing to the team.

It may come as a surprise that the Brooklyn Nets are among the top five most expensive franchises in the NBA, but they are after all in New York City, which in itself commands a lot of value. Nets owner Joseph Tsai, co-founder and chairperson of e-commerce giant Alibaba, took full control of the franchise in 2019. A billionaire entrepreneur with a keen interest in expanding basketball’s global presence, Tsai has focused on making the Nets a premier brand, particularly in Asia. His ownership also includes Barclays Center, making him a key player in the sports and entertainment industry. Tsai is heavily involved in philanthropy and advocates sports diplomacy between the US and China.

The Nets have strategically positioned themselves as a premier brand in Asia by leveraging Tsai’s business network and Alibaba’s vast digital reach. The team has engaged in high-profile exhibition games, cultivated partnerships with major Chinese brands and maintained strong social media engagement across Asian markets. Tsai is also the owner of the champion WNBA team New York Liberty. 

In addition to Tsai’s leadership, the Koch family has a minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets, further solidifying the franchise’s financial foundation. Their involvement brings additional resources and strategic investment to the team’s long-term growth.

Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, is the NBA’s wealthiest owner, with a net worth exceeding $100 billion. His energetic and hands-on approach has revitalised the Clippers, turning them into a competitive and financially robust organisation. Ballmer’s tech-driven mindset has led to innovations in fan engagement, and his investment in the Intuit Dome signals a new era for the franchise. 

The Intuit Dome, which opened in 2024 is Ballmer’s ambitious project to give the Clippers their own dedicated home, separate from the Lakers’ shadow at the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. The US$2 billion, privately funded arena features cutting-edge technology, a unique fan experience with a dedicated cheering section and an emphasis on in-game entertainment. Designed with the latest sustainability and digital enhancements, the Intuit Dome is expected to elevate the Clippers’ brand and revenue potential, further solidifying their status as a top-tier NBA franchise.

In 2025, the Boston Celtics were sold for $6.1 billion to Bill Chisholm, making them one of the most expensive franchise sales in NBA history and the largest sale for a sports franchise in North America. The Celtics, with their rich championship legacy and devoted fan base, remain a powerhouse in both basketball and business. Chisholm, a co-founder of private equity firm Thoma Bravo, has a strong track record of driving business growth and profitability. His leadership is expected to focus on modernizing the Celtics’ commercial operations while preserving the team’s rich championship heritage. The new ownership group is expected to maintain the team’s winning tradition while exploring new revenue opportunities through media rights, global branding, and arena upgrades.

With the league’s global expansion, media rights deals and innovative business strategies, NBA franchise values continue to climb. These five teams exemplify how strategic ownership, brand positioning and market influence play crucial roles in making basketball not just a game, but a multi-billion-dollar industry. Following closely behind in franchise valuations are the Boston Celtics (US$4.7 billion) and the Chicago Bulls (US$4.6 billion), both of which continue to be major players in the league’s financial landscape.

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