Owning a major NBA team is an accomplishment as it requires a lot of investment in coaches, managers, players, and other staff for the franchise to run efficiently. Athletic prowess, competition, and great talent in the NBA league attract massive fortune for the players and franchise owners. NBA franchises are a highly coveted asset, and NBA ownership is an exclusive club which can only hold 30 members. The NBA owners play a huge role in the success of the team, and yet are mostly away from the limelight.
An average NBA team is worth $4 billion, as per reports. Many entrepreneurs and corporate giants have come together to own the rights to an NBA franchise.
NBA Team Owners
Below are the team owners of the respective NBA teams:
| Franchise | Principal owner(s) | Operating entities | Purchase price in (USD) | Owned since |
| Atlanta Hawks | Tony Ressler, Grant Hill, Steven Price, Rick Schnall, Sara Blakely, Jesse Itzler, Ted Virtue, Bob Goodman | Hawks Basketball, Inc. | 850 Million | 2015 |
| Boston Celtics | William Chisholm | Boston Basketball Partners | 6 Billion | 2025 |
| Brooklyn Nets | Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, Julia, David Jr., Mary Julia and John Koch | J Tsai Sports | 3.3 Billion | 2019 |
| Charlotte Hornets | Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall | 2350 Million | 2023 | |
| Chicago Bulls | Jerry Reinsdorf | Chicago Professional Sports Limited Partnership | 16.2 Million | 1985 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Dan Gilbert | Cavaliers Entertainment LLC | 375 Million | 2005 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Miriam Adelson, Patrick Dumont, and Sivan Dumont | Dallas Basketball Limited | 3.8 Billion | 2023 |
| Denver Nuggets | Ann Walton Kroenke | Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver Nuggets Limited Partnership | 202 Million | 2000 |
| Detroit Pistons | Tom Gores | Palace Sports & Entertainment, Detroit Pistons Basketball Company | 325 Million | 2011 |
| Golden State Warriors | Joe Lacob (majority), Peter Guber, Arctos Sports Partners | GSW Sports LLC | 450 Million | 2010 |
| Houston Rockets | Tilman Fertitta | Fertitta Entertainment | 2.2 Billion | 2017 |
| Indiana Pacers | Herbert Simon, Steven Rales | Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Pacers Basketball, LLC | 3.47 Million | 1983 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | Steve Ballmer | LAC Basketball Club, Inc. | 2 Billion | 2014 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Jerry Buss' family trust, along with Mark Walter and Todd Boehly | The Los Angeles Lakers, Inc. | 20 Million, and 1.35 Billion | 1979 & 1998 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Robert J. Pera | Memphis Basketball LLC | 377 Million | 2012 |
| Miami Heat | Micky Arison, Julio Iglesias, Raanan Katz, Robert Sturges, and Amancio Suarez | Miami Heat Limited Partnership | 68 Million | 1995 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Wesley Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam | Milwaukee Bucks, Inc. | 3.5 Billion | 2014 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Glen Taylor, Alex Rodriguez, and Marc Lore | Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Limited Partnership | 88.5 Million | 1995 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Gayle Benson | New Orleans Pelicans NBA Limited Partnership | 338 Million | 2012 |
| New York Knicks | James Dolan | The Madison Square Garden Company, New York Knicks, Inc. | 300 Million | 1997 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Clay Bennett | Professional Basketball Club LLC | 325 Million | 2006 |
| Orlando Magic | Dan DeVos | RDV Sports, Inc., Orlando Magic, Ltd. | 85 Million | 1991 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Josh Harris and David Blitzer | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment | 287 Million | 2011 |
| Phoenix Suns | Mat Ishbia and Justin Ishbia | Unknown | 4 Billion | 2023 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Paul Allen | Vulcan Inc., Trail Blazers, Inc. | 70 Million | 1988 |
| Sacramento Kings | Vivek Ranadivé, Paul E. Jacobs, Gary E. Jacobs, Hal Jacobs, Jeffrey A. Jacobs | Sacramento Kings Partnership Group (operating entity yet to be named) | 534 Million | 2013 |
| San Antonio Spurs | Peter J. Holt | Spurs Sports & Entertainment, San Antonio Spurs LLC | 76 Million | 1993 |
| Toronto Raptors | Larry Tanenbaum, Rogers Communications, BCE | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto Raptors Basketball Club | 467 Million | 1998 |
| Utah Jazz | Ryan Smith, Ashley Smith, Ryan Sweeney, Mike Cannon-Brookes, the Miller Family, Dwyane Wade | Jazz Basketball Investors, Inc. | 1.6 billion | 2021 |
| Washington Wizards | Ted Leonsis | Monumental Sports & Entertainment | 551 Million | 2010 |
Read More : List of NBA Most Improved Player Award Winners
FAQ's on List of NBA Team Owners
A. Adam Silver has been the CEO of the NBA since February 1, 2014.
A. Walter Brown thought that the vacant ice hockey arenas could host basketball games at night which is when he established the Basketball Association of America. It then merged with the National Basketball League to found the NBA.
A. The Golden State Warriors are the most expensive franchise in the NBA as of the 2024-25 NBA season.
A. The Sacramento Kings are the oldest team, founded in 1923.
