NBA Team Owners

The Utah Jazz have experienced only a few ownership changes since the franchise was founded in 1974. Long periods of stable ownership have helped the organization become one of the NBA’s most consistent franchises. Sam Battistone Jr. (1974–1985) The franchise was founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz by […]

The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1995 and have had a relatively straightforward ownership history. Since the team’s founding, ownership has evolved from private investors to one of Canada’s largest sports and media companies. John Bitove Ownership Group (1995–1998) The Raptors were established in 1995 […]

The San Antonio Spurs have enjoyed one of the most stable ownership histories in professional sports. Since the franchise’s early years in the American Basketball Association (ABA), only a handful of ownership groups have guided the organization, helping build one of the NBA’s most successful franchises. Original Ownership Groups (1967–1983) […]

The Sacramento Kings have one of the longest ownership histories in the NBA, dating back to the franchise’s origins as the Rochester Royals in 1945. Over the decades, ownership changes have coincided with the team’s moves from Rochester to Cincinnati, Kansas City, and ultimately Sacramento. Original Ownership Groups (1945–1983) The […]

The Portland Trail Blazers have had only a few ownership groups since entering the NBA in 1970. Despite several transitions, the franchise has spent most of its history under long-term ownership, helping establish stability and a strong connection with the city of Portland. Original Ownership Group (1970–1975) The Trail Blazers […]

Since joining the NBA in 1968, the Phoenix Suns have had a relatively small number of ownership groups compared to many professional sports franchises. Each ownership era has played a significant role in shaping the organization’s direction and success. Jerry Colangelo and the Original Ownership Group (1968–1987) The Phoenix Suns […]

The Philadelphia 76ers trace their history back to the Syracuse Nationals, one of the NBA’s earliest franchises. Since relocating to Philadelphia in 1963, the team has been owned by a small number of individuals and ownership groups that have overseen some of the most successful periods in franchise history. Danny […]

The Orlando Magic joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989 and have enjoyed one of the most stable ownership situations in professional basketball. Since the team’s founding, the franchise has been controlled by only two principal ownership groups, both closely tied to the DeVos family. Orlando Magic Ownership […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise began as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1967 before relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. While the team has undergone a major geographic transformation, its ownership history has been relatively straightforward, featuring only a few principal ownership groups. Sam Schulman and the Schulman Family (1967–1983) Sam […]

The New York Knicks are one of the NBA’s original franchises, having been founded in 1946 as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America, the league that later became the NBA. Throughout their long history, the Knicks have been owned by a relatively small number of individuals and […]

The New Orleans Pelicans franchise began in 1988 as the Charlotte Hornets before relocating to New Orleans in 2002. The team adopted the Pelicans name in 2013, but its ownership history stretches back to its origins in Charlotte. Over the years, the franchise has been controlled by a small number […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989, bringing professional basketball back to Minnesota after the departure of the Lakers nearly three decades earlier. Since their founding, the franchise has had only a few principal ownership groups, with each overseeing a distinct chapter in team history. […]

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1968 and quickly became one of the league’s success stories, winning a championship just three years later. Over the decades, the franchise has been guided by a small number of ownership groups, each playing a key role in shaping […]

The Miami Heat joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1988 and have become one of the league’s most successful organizations. Unlike many franchises that have changed hands multiple times, the Heat have enjoyed remarkable ownership stability, with only two principal ownership groups in team history. Billy Cunningham, Lewis […]

The Memphis Grizzlies began as the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995 before relocating to Memphis in 2001. Although the franchise has experienced several ownership changes, only a handful of principal owners have guided the team through its history, from its expansion years in Canada to its current status as a competitive […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, tracing their roots to Minneapolis before relocating to Los Angeles in 1960. While the team has enjoyed decades of success, its ownership history has been shaped by a relatively small number of influential owners. (Wikipedia) Ben Berger and […]

The Los Angeles Clippers began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 before relocating to San Diego in 1978 and Los Angeles in 1984. Throughout the franchise’s history, ownership has changed hands only a few times, with each owner playing a significant role in the team’s evolution. (Wikipedia) Paul Snyder (1970–1976) […]

The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and later joined the NBA following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Throughout their history, the franchise has been controlled by a small number of ownership groups, most notably the Simon family, which has overseen […]

The Houston Rockets have changed ownership several times since entering the NBA in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets. While some ownership groups held the team for only a few years, others oversaw defining periods in franchise history, including championship runs and major organizational growth. (Wikipedia) Robert Breitbard (1967–1971) Robert […]

The Golden State Warriors are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, and their ownership history reflects the team’s evolution from a regional basketball club into a global sports brand. While several ownership groups have guided the franchise over the decades, only a few individuals or groups have served as principal […]

The Detroit Pistons have had only a handful of principal owners throughout their history, making their ownership lineage relatively straightforward compared to many professional sports franchises. Fred Zollner (1937–1974) Fred Zollner founded the franchise in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. An industrialist whose company manufactured engine […]

The Denver Nuggets have undergone several ownership changes since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). Each ownership group has contributed to the team’s growth, from its ABA roots to its emergence as an NBA championship franchise. James Trindle (1967–1972) James Trindle […]

The Dallas Mavericks have experienced relatively few ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1980. Each ownership era has helped shape the organization, from its early years to its rise as a championship contender and one of the league’s most recognizable teams. Don Carter (1980–1996) Don […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had relatively few ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1970. Each ownership era has played a significant role in the team’s growth, from its early years to its emergence as an NBA champion. Nick Mileti (1970–1980) Nick Mileti founded the Cleveland […]

The Chicago Bulls have enjoyed remarkable ownership stability throughout their history. Since the franchise was founded in 1966, only a few ownership groups have controlled the team, helping create continuity during some of the most successful periods in NBA history. Dick Klein (1966–1967) Dick Klein founded the Chicago Bulls and […]

The Charlotte Hornets franchise has experienced several ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1988. From its original ownership group to the era of Michael Jordan and the current leadership, each owner has played a role in shaping the team’s direction. George Shinn (1988–2002) George Shinn […]

The Brooklyn Nets have undergone several ownership changes throughout their history, reflecting the franchise’s evolution from its ABA roots to its position as a major NBA team in New York City. Each ownership era has played a role in shaping the organization’s direction and identity. Arthur J. Brown (1967–1968) Arthur […]

The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in professional sports, and much of their stability has come from long-term ownership groups. Since the team’s founding in 1946, only a handful of ownership changes have occurred. Walter A. Brown (1946–1964) Walter A. Brown founded the Boston Celtics in […]

The Atlanta Hawks have changed hands several times since the franchise relocated to Atlanta in 1968. While coaches, executives, and general managers have played important roles in the team’s development, ownership has largely shaped the franchise’s long-term direction. Tom Cousins (1968–1977) Atlanta real estate developer Tom Cousins purchased the franchise […]