NBA: Steve Ballmer, Joseph Tsai among billionaire club owners

If we combine the top 15 wealthiest NBA club owners, their net worth is over $120 billion. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer tops the list with $51.5 billion. Let us take a look at the top five richest club owners.

1. Steve Ballmer – Los Angeles Clippers ($51.5 billion)

Sixty-three-your-old Ballmer is currently the world's 16th richest man. He was Microsoft's 30th employee back in the year 1980 but resigned in 2014. Reportedly, Bill Gates was unhappy with Ballmer's decision.

2. Joseph Tsai — Brooklyn Nets ($9.7 billion USD)

Tsai was a part of the group that formed the multinational holding company – Alibaba Group, in 1999. Today, he is the second-largest holder of individual shares after Jack Ma. Tsai bought the Brooklyn Nets in September this year. He also owns the MLS football side Los Angeles FC. 

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3. Micky Arison — Miami Heat ($7.8 billion)

The 70-year-old reportedly dropped out of his University to work in his father's company 'Carnival Corporation' as a sales representative. He took over as the CEO in 1979. When Arison stepped down in 2013, Carnival Corporation was the world's largest cruise ship operator. Under Arison's ownership, the Heat have won three NBA championships (2006, 2012, 2013). 

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4. Ann Walton Kroenke — Denver Nuggets ($7.8 billion) 

Kroenke is the heir to the Walmart empire. She inherited shares from her father and the co-founder Bud Walton after he passed away in 1995. She co-owns multiple sports team (Los Angeles Rams, Arsenal FC and Colorado Rapids) with her billionaire realtor husband, Stan Kroenke. Under their ownership, Nuggets have won the Northwest Division title multiple times (2006, 2009, 2010 and 2019).

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5. Robert Pera — Memphis Grizzlies ($7.1 billion)

Pera is the youngest NBA club owner. He was initially part of Apple but left the company in 2005. He founded Wi-Fi pioneer Ubiquiti Networks. Though Grizzlies have not won any title after Pera bought them in 2012, it has been their most successful period. 

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