As sports continue to gain popularity all over the world, the value of franchises continue to grow and grow, making them attractive hobbies or investments for some of the richest people in the world. These sports owners are absurdly rich, with seven having at least $12 billion and have chosen to spend that money in the sports world. Forbes has compiled a list of the richest people in the world, and here are the top nine with significant ties to the sports world:
9) Mikhail Prokhorov, Brooklyn Nets - $9.6 billion
Prokhorov may be best known for partying with models on his boat, but the Russian billionaire made his fortune in banking, metals, and other enterprises. The started his career working for and then running Norilsk Nickel, a mining company, before launching a private investment group called ONEXIM Group.
8) Micky Arison, Miami Heat - $9.7 billion
Arison is the chairman of Carnival Corp. (aka Carnival Cruises) and spent 34 years as CEO of the company. He took control of the Heat in 1995 and has since made them one of the best franchises in the league.
7) Hasso Plattner, San Jose Sharks - $12.7 billion
Plattner worked for IBM and left in 1972 to start the German software company SAP (which you may have heard of before). He has served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of SAP SE since May 2003.
6) Philip Anschutz, Los Angeles Kings/Los Angeles Galaxy - $13 billion
Anschultz is the richest owner in the NHL. He bought out his father's drilling company, Circle A Drilling, in 1961, which produced large returns. He then invested that money in stocks, real estate, and railroads and was a co-founder of Major League Soccer.
5) Paul Allen, Seattle Seahawks/Portland Trail Blazers - $21.7 billion
Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, which was quite lucrative, as you could imagine. He also currently serves as the CEO of Vulcan, Inc., which oversees his business dealings. Allen, the richest owner in the NFL, also has a multibillion-dollar investment portfolio.
4) Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull Racing/New York Red Bulls/RB Leipzig - $23 billion
If you didn't catch on from the racing team and MLS team that Mateschitz owns, he is the founder of Red Bull. He is the wealthiest owner in all of soccer and in the racing world.
3) Phil Knight, Nike - $29.6 billion
The only non-owner on this list, Knight's contributions to the sports world are huge. He founded Nike with tremendous success as the company has become the undisputed leader in sportswear and equipment. He retired in June 2016.
2) Steve Ballmer, Los Angeles Clippers - $38.4 billion
Ballmer amassed his wealth at Microsoft, where he notably served as the company's CEO from 2000-2014. However, most of his money came from getting 8% equity in the company as employee 20 years prior to becoming the head man. He left the company bought the Clippers for a record-setting $2 billion in 2014.
1) Mukesh Ambani, Mumbai Indians (cricket) - $40.1 billion
Ambani is the wealthiest person in India, earning his money through petrochemicals and oil and gas. He is the chairman, managing director and largest shareholder (44.7 percent) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India's second-most valuable company. Ambani is also one of three billionaire owners in the top cricket league in India, the Indian Premier League.
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