NFL Team Owners: A Comprehensive Guide to Who Runs Every Franchise

In the high-stakes world of professional football, the players on the field and the coaches on the sidelines often grab the headlines. However, the true power of the league resides in the owners' boxes. These individuals and families shape the direction of their franchises, influence league-wide policies, and invest billions into the sport we love. Understanding the landscape of NFL team owners is essential for any fan who wants to know how their favorite team operates from the top down.

From legendary figures who have held their teams for decades to new faces entering the billionaire's club of sports ownership, the list of those in charge is as diverse as the cities they represent. Here is a complete breakdown of the current ownership for all 32 NFL franchises.

The AFC: From Legacy Owners to Modern Moguls

The American Football Conference features some of the most recognizable names in sports business. These owners have overseen dynasties and navigated the complexities of modern stadium deals and market expansions.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Terry and Kim Pegula. The Pegulas purchased the team in 2014, ensuring the franchise remained in Western New York.
Miami Dolphins: Stephen Ross. A real estate magnate, Ross has been the primary owner since 2009.
New England Patriots: Robert Kraft. Since 1994, Kraft has overseen one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
New York Jets: Woody Johnson. The Johnson & Johnson heir has owned the Jets since 2000.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Steve Bisciotti. Bisciotti took over full ownership in 2004 and has maintained the team's reputation for consistency.
Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Brown. The son of legendary coach Paul Brown, Mike has been the owner since 1991.
Cleveland Browns: Jimmy and Dee Haslam. The Haslams purchased the Browns in 2012.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Art Rooney II. The Rooney family has been the face of the Steelers since the team's inception in 1933.

AFC South

Houston Texans: Janice McNair. Following the passing of Bob McNair, Janice took over as the principal owner of the youngest NFL franchise.
Indianapolis Colts: Jim Irsay. Irsay assumed full ownership in 1997 following the death of his father, Robert Irsay.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Shad Khan. Since 2012, Khan has become a prominent figure in both the NFL and international sports.
Tennessee Titans: Amy Adams Strunk. The daughter of founder Bud Adams, Strunk took over the primary role in 2015.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Greg Penner (Walton-Penner Family). This group purchased the team in 2022 for a then-record price.
Kansas City Chiefs: Clark Hunt. The Hunt family has been synonymous with the Chiefs and the AFL/NFL merger since the beginning.
Las Vegas Raiders: Mark Davis. Davis took over after the passing of his father, the legendary Al Davis, in 2011.
Los Angeles Chargers: Dean Spanos. The Spanos family has owned the franchise since 1984.

The NFC: Historic Families and New Frontiers

The National Football Conference houses some of the oldest franchises in the league, many of which are still managed by the descendants of the original founders, alongside new owners looking to build their own legacies.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones. Perhaps the most famous of all NFL team owners, Jones has been the face of "America's Team" since 1989.
New York Giants: John Mara and Steve Tisch. This dual-family ownership represents two of the most respected lineages in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jeffrey Lurie. Lurie bought the Eagles in 1994 and eventually brought the city its first Super Bowl title.
Washington Commanders: Josh Harris. Harris led a group that purchased the team in 2023, ushering in a new era for the franchise.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Virginia Halas McCaskey. The daughter of George Halas, she is the oldest owner in the league.
Detroit Lions: Sheila Ford Hamp. Taking over from her mother in 2020, Hamp has overseen a significant cultural shift in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: Green Bay Packers, Inc. The Packers are the only community-owned, non-profit professional sports team in the United States.
Minnesota Vikings: Zygi Wilf. The Wilf family has owned the Vikings since 2005.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank. The Home Depot co-founder has owned the Falcons since 2002.
Carolina Panthers: David Tepper. Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018, bringing a data-driven approach to ownership.
New Orleans Saints: Gayle Benson. She became the owner following the death of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Glazer Family. The Glazers have owned the Bucs since 1995 and also own Manchester United.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Michael Bidwill. The Bidwill family has owned the Cardinals franchise since 1932.
Los Angeles Rams: Stan Kroenke. Kroenke, a major sports mogul, moved the team back to Los Angeles and opened SoFi Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers: Denise DeBartolo York and John York. The York family has maintained ownership of the 49ers for decades.
Seattle Seahawks: Jody Allen. As the chair of the Paul G. Allen Trust, Jody Allen has managed the team since her brother's passing in 2018.

The Unique Structure of NFL Ownership

While most teams are owned by individuals or small family groups, the NFL team owners must adhere to strict league rules regarding debt and minority stakes. The Green Bay Packers remain the lone exception to the rule that every team must have a primary owner with a significant stake. This unique structure allows the fans to technically "own" the team, though a board of directors handles the actual business operations.

As the value of NFL franchises continues to skyrocket—often reaching into the billions—the barrier to entry for new owners becomes even higher. This ensures that the exclusive club of NFL ownership remains one of the most elite circles in the global business world.