Top-Earning Celebrities from Sports Team Ownership: Reports Reveals

Top-Earning Celebrities from Sports Team Ownership: Reports Reveals

• Tom Brady earned $313M from his sports team ownerships, making him the richest celebrity sports investor in 2025.
• Women represent almost half of the top investors, with Serena Williams, Jennifer Lopez, and Eva Longoria among the wealthiest sports franchise holders.
• NFL star Patrick Mahomes owns the most diverse portfolio, with stakes in four different franchises spanning Formula 1, baseball, and soccer.

With NFL team values now averaging $7B and MLS franchises reaching $700M in 2025, more celebrities are joining the club of sports franchise owners. A new study by ARKA analyzed ownership stakes across sports teams to identify which celebrities have built the most valuable sports portfolios.

The research examined celebrity investments in professional sports teams using official team announcements and credible reports. Celebrities were ranked by the total reported value of the teams in their portfolio and estimated earnings, which were calculated by applying their publicly disclosed ownership percentage to each team’s current valuation.

Here’s a look at the 10 most valuable celebrity-owned sports portfolios in 2025:

Celebrity	Clubs Owned	Total Club Value	Estimated Earnings	Clubs
Tom Brady	3	$6.27B	$313.36M	Birmingham City, Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Raiders
Serena Williams	3	$6.07B	$297.5M	Angel City FC, Miami Dolphins, Toronto Tempo
Jay-Z	1	$5.7B	$285M	Brooklyn Nets
Jennifer Lopez	1	$5.7B	$285M	Miami Dolphins
Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith	1	$3.9B	$195M	Philadelphia 76ers
Nelly	1	$3.3B	$165M	Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets
Patrick Mahomes	4	$3.03B	$151.25M	Alpine F1 (consortium), KC Current, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City
LeBron James	1	$5.37B	$107.4M	Liverpool FC
Eva Longoria	1	$200M	$100M	Club Necaxa
Kate Upton	1	$200M	$100M	Club Necaxa

You can access the complete research findings here.

Tom Brady ranks first as America’s richest celebrity sports owner. The former NFL quarterback has built a diverse portfolio spanning three teams with a combined value of $6.27B. His investments include the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL), Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), and English soccer club Birmingham City. Brady’s estimated personal earnings from these investments reach $313.36M.

Serena Williams secures second place with stakes in teams collectively valued at $6.07B. The tennis legend has invested in women’s sports through ownership stakes in Angel City FC (NWSL) and Toronto Tempo, while also holding interests in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Williams’ investment approach translates to $297.5M in potential earnings.

Jay-Z holds the third position through his connection to the Brooklyn Nets. Though the hip-hop artist reportedly sold his stake years ago, his association with the $5.7B NBA franchise remains significant in celebrity ownership history. This is because Jay-Z’s earnings from this investment alone potentially amount to $285M.

Jennifer Lopez takes fourth place with her stake in the Miami Dolphins. The singer’s investment in the $5.7B NFL franchise puts her on equal footing with Jay-Z in terms of overall team valuation. Lopez’s estimated income from her share is $285M.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith rank fifth as joint owners of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hollywood couple’s investment in the $3.9B NBA franchise generates an estimated $195M in potential earnings.

Nelly ranks sixth thanks to his stake in the Charlotte Hornets (formerly Bobcats). With the franchise valued at $3.3B, his share is estimated to be worth about $165M, placing him among the top celebrity investors in the NBA.

Patrick Mahomes is in seventh position, showing the most diverse portfolio. The NFL star holds stakes in four different franchises: Alpine F1 (racing), KC Current (women’s soccer), Kansas City Royals (MLB), and Sporting Kansas City (MLS). With a combined team value of $3.03B, Mahomes’ estimated earnings are $151.25M.

LeBron James takes eighth place with his high-profile investment in Liverpool FC. Tied to one of the Premier League’s most valuable clubs at $5.37B, LeBron’s stake is estimated to be worth around $107.4M.

Eva Longoria holds ninth place with her investment in Club Necaxa. The actress owns a significant stake in the $200M Mexican soccer club, resulting in estimated earnings of $100M.

Kate Upton completes the top 10 with her stake in the same club as Longoria, Club Necaxa. The model’s investment in the Mexican soccer franchise also generates an estimated $100M in earnings.

“Celebrity team owners bring more money to sports franchises,” says the ARKA spokesperson. “Their personal brands create immediate global exposure that traditional owners simply cannot match. This star power usually translates into more valuable sponsorship deals and increased merchandise revenue. In the coming years, we may even see more celebrities forming ownership groups together rather than joining existing consortiums.”