The Best Current NBA Team Owners
The best NBA team owners are those passionate and caring businessmen, families and investment groups who set the standard in the National Basketball Association and professional sports for quality leadership and ownership of their teams. Whether their teams are consistent favorites to win the NBA Championship or just trying to do the best with what they have, these owners of some of the greatest sports franchises in the world, are the most loved by fans, players and others in the league alike.
Though he passed away in February 2013, Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, is regarded by many as one of the best owners in the history of the NBA. The chemist, businessman and philanthropist purchased the Lakers in 1979 and went on to see the team win 10 NBA titles. Since his death, his family trust, led by his children, took over controlling ownership after his death.
But Buss is just one of many great NBA team owners. Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks and Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs are among the others who have earned the respect of the league for their successful team operation. On the other end of the spectrum, Michael Jordan (yes, the greatest NBA player of all time) of the Charlotte Hornets, James Dolan of the New York Knicks, and Robert Sarver of the Phoenix Suns all fall in the worst NBA owners category due to questionable decision-making skills.
While some owners are definitely more hands on than others, these great NBA team owners have done a lot of good during their time in the league. There's a reason why some NBA teams are better to play for than others, and that reputation starts from the top. Who is your favorite NBA team owner? Vote for the ones you think are best or re-rank this list of the best NBA team owners, all below!
- Dallas Mavericks
- Golden State Warriors
- San Antonio Spurs
- 4
Steve Ballmer
- Miami Heat
- 6
Larry Tanenbaum
Toronto Raptors
- Boston Celtics
- 8
Gail Miller
Utah Jazz
- 9
Ann Walton Kroenke
Denver Nuggets
- 10
Marc Lasry And Wesley Edens
Milwaukee Bucks
Charlotte Hornets
- 12
Jody Allen
Portland Trail Blazers
- 13
Gayle Benson
New Orleans Pelicans
- 14
Tilman Fertitta
Houston Rockets
- 15
Robert J. Pera
Memphis Grizzlies - Oklahoma City Thunder
- Indiana Pacers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- 19
Tony Ressler
Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers
- Detroit Pistons
- Chicago Bulls
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Phoenix Suns