McNair, Fertitta Among Richest Sports Owners In America

HOUSTON, TX — Forbes magazine routinely counts down the richest people in certain industries. Their latest is the list of richest sports teams owners in the United States, and a pair of local Houston owners were named in the top 26. Houston Texans owner Robert McNair was listed as the 21st richest in America at a worth of $3.8 billion and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta checked in as the 26th richest at $3.5 billion.

McNair is a leading businessman, sportsman and philanthropist in the city of Houston for more than 50 years, is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Houston Texans. McNair is perhaps best known in the business community as the founder of Cogen Technologies, which was sold in 1999.

On Oct. 6, 1999, the NFL announced that the 32nd NFL franchise had been awarded to McNair, returning professional football to the city of Houston in 2002. McNair’s efforts and influence have also played an integral role in bringing two Super Bowls to Reliant Stadium: Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and Super Bowl LI in 2017 — both wins by the New England Patriots.

Fertitta was a former limited partner of Charlie Thomas when he owned the team in the early 1980's. Fertitta's purchase from former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander paid a record price for the team of $2.2 billion dollars.

Fertitta, a Galveston native, is also chairman of the University of Houston Board of Regents. He is the chairman, CEO, and sole owner of Landry's, Inc., one of the largest restaurant corporations in the country, and he also owns casinos and restaurants around the country.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones checked in at No. 11 with a net worth of $5.6 billion. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is No. 8 at $6.2 billion and his AFC Championship Game opponent last week, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, is worth $7.1 billion.

Here is the full list of richest owners. The top 6 richest are:

1. Steve Ballmer: $33.6 billion (Los Angeles Clippers)

2. Paul Allen: $20.6 billion (Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers)

3. Philip Anschutz: $12.6 billion (Los Angeles Kings, LA Galaxy)

4. Micky Arison: $9.4 billion (Miami Heat)

5. Stanley Kroenke: $8.1 billion (Los Angeles Rams, Arsenal)

6. Stephen Ross: $7.5 billion (Miami Dolphins)

Top image: Houston Texans owner Bob McNair looks on prior to the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)