It is an overgeneralization I’m sure, but rich people typically buy sports teams because they want to be famous too. If they’re just rich tycoon types they don’t get to see their name in the newspaper unless they’ve been indicted, however, if they own a sports team, they become both rich and famous.
Football coach Joe Gibbs owns a group of NASCAR teams.
And the A’s original manager/co-owner Connie Mack, who became the sole owner in 1936.
If you count MLS, Drew Carey owns a portion of Seattle Sounders FC.
And won the America’s Cup in 1977.
Henry Paulsen owns 20% of the Portland Timbers (soccer) and the Portland Beavers (baseball), and his son Merritt owns the other 80%
Turner bought the Braves in 1976, and won the America’s Cup in 1977. In fact, Turner managed the Braves for one game in 1977 several months before winning the America’s Cup.
As to the question, I think there’s three distinct categories here:
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The most famous person who at some point owned a sports team. George W. Bush, easily. There are lots of other super famous people who have owned sports teams but it’s hard to top being President of the United States.
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The person who was the most famous BEFORE owning a sports team. I am inclined to think the technical answer to this is Bob Hope, who was a world famous entertainer well before owning a part of the Indians. Elton John would be a strong candidate as well. (In the sole ownership division, however, Gene Autry wins out.)
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The person who is the most famous BECAUSE they own a sports team, in which case I think Steinbrenner is a pretty clear winner. I don’t think Al Davis is even close; you don’t see Davis hosting SNL or serving as a recurring character on a #1 sitcom.
Going back a long way, I would nominate Albert Spalding, a famous player who became owner of the Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) and also the owner of a major sporting goods company.
League old chap, league. Rugby (union) is a man’s game.
My comment should have read the “sons of” the 1992 candidates. The Perot who owned the Mavs was also the son of the candidate.
Jerry Jones as owner of the Dallas Cowboys
Elton John was also part owner of the LA Aztecs soccer team in the 70s.
Mario Lemieux was pretty damn famous as a hockey player and now owns the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team he played for.
This isn’t as huge but it’s worth mentioning…
Bud Selig (Commish of MLB) is one of the (many) stockholders in the Green Bay Packers. He’s a Wisconsin guy so it isn’t all that surprising, but a lot of people don’t know that.
As of now Jimmy Buffet has stake in the Dolphins.
Woody Johnson, NY Jets. Real name Robert Wood Johnson IV. Throw a rock in central Jersey and you’ll hit something named after his great grand daddy. He is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and was well known before he bought the team.
Jon Bon Jovi (Bongiovi) is the founder and owner of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League.
So is Ron Jawarski…I think it’s the same team too
The answer is the Ford family who have owned the Lions for 60 years.
Jaws is a minority owner of the Soul and team president. Bon Jovi is one of the founders, Co-Chairman of the Board and a majority owner. Richie Sambora is also a minority owner.
Burt Reynolds was co-owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL
Dave Nilsson, former catcher for the Brewers and 1999 All Star, after his career in Milwaukee bought the entire Australian baseball league.
Back in the old NASL days, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon owned part of the Philadelphia Fury.