Stan Kroenke is best friends with commas and zeroes. And trophies, too.
CNBC revealed its list of the most valuable sports empires in the world as of 2025, and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has firm control of the top spot.
Among the world’s 20 most valuable sports ownership groups that are worth a combined $225 billion, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is valued at a whopping $21.17 billion. That's nearly $6 billion more than the second-ranked group that is led by Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and other holdings that total a $15.53 billion value.
The Kroenke's major sports holdings are the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, NBA's Denver Nuggets, NHL's Colorado Avalanche, Premier League's Arsenal and MLS' Colorado Rapids.
CNBC senior sports reporter Michael Ozanian explained how the Kroenkes have built their foundation to reach this point.
"The Kroenkes' are an example of a sports empire that is really focused on teams and team ownership that is geographically diverse," Ozanian said. "...They also own some minor league, second division teams as well, but it's really wealth through team ownership."
Boosting the Kroenke's holdings are their recent successes. In 2022, the Rams and Avalanche won the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup, respectively. Just a year later, the Nuggets hoisted their first NBA championship in franchise history.
Arsenal are also in the top 10 for the world's most valuable soccer teams. The Gunners have not won the Premier League since 2004 but have finished second in three straight seasons and are desperately knocking on the door.
Rounding out the top five sports empires behind the Kroenkes and the Jones' family are Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment at No. 3 ($14.58 billion), Fenway Sports Group at No. 4 ($14.19 billion) and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. at No. 5 ($12.69 billion).
Michael Ozanian, senior sports reporter for CNBC, discusses how professional sports teams are valued.
English (US) ·