NFL Owners are a unique breed. For starters, they are almost all billionaires and have an insane amount of influence and power, not just in their cities but also across the wider world of business and politics.
But somewhere along the way, they decided to cross over into the wild world of professional sport – where regular folks like us can chirp them mercilessly if they fail to do their jobs effectively.
And, let’s face it… Some of these owners, well, they don’t seem to have a clue what they are doing when it comes to running an NFL franchise.
Let’s review every NFL team’s owner—and rank them from worst to best!
Which NFL owners are deemed the worst, and which ones are loved by their fans?
32. Carolina Panthers: David Tepper
David Tepper, a former hedge fund manager, bought the Panthers in July of 2018 and to say that it has been a comedy of errors is a MASSIVE understatement. Despite his ambitious plans and significant investments, the team has not managed to find sustained success… or frankly… success of any kind.
Tepper’s management style has rubbed players, fans, and coaches the wrong way, and it looks like this thing in Charlotte could get way worse before it gets better.
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31. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Bidwill
Stability has been tough to find in the desert with Michael Bidwill at the helm. He took over the team from his father, Bill, in 2019, and under his leadership, the Cards have struggled to maintain a consistent winning team or organizational culture.
30. New York Jets: Woody and Christopher Johnson
The Johnson brothers have presided over one of the NFL’s most beloved franchises since 2000, and it has been rather tumultuous, to say the least. The team is, in many ways, a manifestation of the Johnson Family chaos. Between the lack of vision and subsequent lack of results, the Johnsons’ short-term and impulsive NFL ownership style has frustrated Jets fans since they took over.
29. Las Vegas Raiders: Mark Davis
Mark Davis inherited the Raiders in 2011 after the death of his legendary father, NFL renegade Al Davis. His tenure has been marked by the same lack of chaos and underwhelming product on the field that characterized the latter half of his father’s career. Davis has fallen out of favor with the team’s fans due to his decision to move the team from Oakland to Las Vegas, which alienated many long-time fans.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan has been one of the more polarizing owners in the NFL in recent years. He and his son have been aggressive in their pursuit of turning the Jaguars into a winning program, but they also have flirted relentlessly with the idea of moving the team to the UK.
27. Washington Commanders: Josh Harris
Ownership was a tough topic of discussion for football fans in D.C. for a long, long time, as Dan Snyder’s ownership tenure was marred by controversies, poor management, and a toxic workplace environment, which mercifully culminated in the team’s sale to Josh Harris in 2023. Harris, who also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, has a massive task ahead to rebuild the franchise’s reputation and restore its former glory and has to start near the bottom of this list until he proves he can pick up the pieces effectively.
26. Houston Texans: Janice McNair and Cal McNair
After the passing of Bob McNair, Janice McNair and her son Cal took over the Texans, and it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. The team has faced numerous issues, including questionable executive decisions, like letting a con artist like Jack Easterby cease control of their franchise and mismanaging controversies, a la Deshaun Watson.
Things are looking up with C.J. Stroud in town, but knowing the McNairs – they will find a way to screw that up too!
25. Detroit Lions: Sheila Ford Hamp
Sheila Ford Hamp took over the Lions in 2020, following her mother Martha Firestone Ford. And… yes… for those wondering, that IS, in fact, her real government name!
In any case, up until the recent hiring of Dan Campbell as head coach and Brad Holmes at GM it has been a real trudge for one of the NFL’s oldest franchises—and the ownership group has been a major catalyst in that struggle.
Let’s face it, the NFL has changed A LOT since the Ford Family’s glory days running the Lions in the Motor City – and they have really struggled to get with the times.
24. Miami Dolphins: Stephen Ross
Stephen Ross has had his hands full since he assumed control of the Miami Dolphins in 2009. He has seemingly struggled to find any consistent way to play nice with the NFL’s Operating handbook – which definitely draws into question that he may have deployed unethical means to accumulate his wealth in the real estate development industry.
But I digress.
His tenure has been marred by two major controversies – the fallout with Head Coach Brian Flores and the subsequent lawsuit, as well as the Tom Brady tampering scandal, which cost the Dolphins a 2024 draft pick.
23. Chicago Bears: Virginia Halas McCaskey
There may be a lot of excitement in the Windy City heading into the 2024 season, but it is safe to say that it is in spite of the McCaskey family, not thanks to them.
Fortunately for Bears fans, the owners have finally trusted a worthy NFL GM in Ryan Poles to make decisions, but it feels like it is only a matter of time before Chicago’s ownership starts to mettle again.
After all, that has happened time and time again with both Virginia Halas McCaskey, the daughter of George Halas, and Halas himself, who became the principal owner of the Bears in 1983.
22. Tennessee Titans: Amy Adams Strunk
Amy Adams Strunk took over as the controlling owner of the Titans in 2015 and though the team has made strides under her leadership, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, there has been an undercurrent of chaos down in the Music City.
With the parting of ways with Head Coach Mike Vrabel, that theory will be put to the test – as many believe he was the stabilizing force for the Titans in recent years.
21. Cleveland Browns: Jimmy and Dee Haslam
The Haslams have owned the Browns since 2012, and while their tenure has been marked by frequent coaching and front-office changes, the team has shown signs of improvement in recent years… Even if there have been a couple of major swings and misses, like the acquisition and subsequent handling of Deshaun Watson and Johnny Manziel.
If the suits in Cleveland could figure out how to stabilize the quarterback position without overpaying for a controversy-laden signal caller, man, they might really be in business!
20. Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot, has owned the Falcons since 2002. While he has been praised for his charitable work and commitment to the city of Atlanta, the Falcons have struggled to maintain success, highlighted by their infamous Super Bowl LI collapse.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Brown
Brown has owned the NFL team since 1991, after his father’s death. During the first few years of his ownership, he initially wanted to move the team out of Cincinnati. From 1991 to 2020, the Bengals only had eight winning seasons in the NFL. Their winless playoff record from that span was the longest drought in all four major North American sports.
18. Denver Broncos: Walton-Penner Group
The Denver Broncos were one of the most recent NFL franchises to be purchased, and let’s just say the Walton-Penner Group has a lot of work to do to live up to the late Pat Bowlen’s legacy.
Under Bowlen’s leadership, the Broncos won three Super Bowls and became one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. The new ownership group has big shoes to fill but at least has the resources to continue Bowlen’s winning tradition. Only time will tell how they fare!
17. Minnesota Vikings: Zygi Wilf
Zygi Wilf has owned the Vikings since 2005, and under his leadership, the team has been competitive, reaching the playoffs multiple times, but never really been able to get over the hump. Nevertheless, Wilf’s commitment to the organization and the fans – getting a new stadium developed and maintaining a competitive roster- has been key to his popularity with the fans.
16. Los Angeles Chargers: Dean Spanos
To say that Dean Spanos is unpopular is the understatement of the century. Chargers fans have loathed the Spanos family for decades now – for relentlessly flirting with the idea of relocating the team from San Diego.
That said… there is reason for excitement around the now Los Angeles-based franchise with Justin Herbert under center and the signing of Jim Harbaugh as their head coach, so it is hard to argue that they aren’t the hot mess that longtime Chargers fans believe them to be.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Jim Irsay
Jim Irsay is one of the more charismatic and personable owners in the NFL. He has owned the Colts since 1997, and overall, his tenure has been fairly successful, as it includes a Super Bowl win and multiple playoff appearances.
Granted, he has had some issues off the field, but what can you do?! Overall, he seems like a relatively “human” owner of the grand scheme of things and has clearly demonstrated a dedication to winning.
14. Green Bay Packers: Green Bay Packers, Inc
The Green Bay Packers are unique in that they are the only NFL team without a traditional owner. Instead, they sell stock in the team and allow NFL fans to become pseudo-owners and shareholders.
Of course, the team isn’t run by a committee of fans. Chairman Mark Murphy calls the shots, and all things considered, he’s done a pretty good job.
13. New Orleans Saints: Gayle Benson
Gayle Benson took over the Saints after the passing of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018, and while the team has admittedly been mediocre, she has done a good job of continuing to support the team and community. The commitment to winning football is there, she just needs to find the right executives to call the shots.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Glazer Family
The Glazer family has owned the Buccaneers since 1995, and it has been far from a straight line. In stretches, they have been one of the league’s worst teams, but… their time at the helm also includes two Super Bowl wins, which can’t be scoffed off.
Plus, they did the impossible and courted Tom Brady out of New England after 20 years and executed winning a Super Bowl on their home field.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeffrey Lurie
Jeffrey Lurie was a polarizing figure amongst Eagles fans since taking over in 1994, but he was able to secure the team’s first Super Bowl win in 2017, which cemented his legacy in the city of Brotherly Love.
10. New England Patriots: Robert Kraft
Robert Kraft’s ownership of the Patriots since 1994 has been nothing short of legendary in the grand scheme of things. He took one of the league’s worst franchises and rattled off six Super Bowl wins and numerous playoff appearances. It has been tough the last couple of years, but all things considered, he is one of the best.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones has been one of the most influential and controversial NFL team owners since buying the Cowboys in 1989. He became the villain of the league with his boisterous ways and the Cowboys racking up Super Bowls in the 90s, but the years since have been none too kind to his prized organization.
That said, he has turned the Cowboys into a global brand and built a state-of-the-art stadium, which shouldn’t be discounted.
8. Seattle Seahawks: Jody Allen
Jody Allen took over the Seahawks following the death of her brother, Paul Allen, in 2018 and has done a good job stabilizing them as one of the newer NFL team owners. However, with Pete Carroll’s shocking departure this past offseason, that will surely be put to the test.
7. New York Giants: John Mara and Steve Tisch
It hasn’t been pretty for the New York Giants the last couple of years, but there is no arguing the legitimacy of the Mara family’s reign in New York. After all, they single-handedly prevented Brady and Belichick from winning two more Super Bowls and having a 19 and 0 season, which is reason enough for them to be high on this list on their own!
6. Baltimore Ravens: Steve Bisciotti
Steve Bisciotti became the majority owner of the Ravens in 2004, and under his leadership, the team has become one of the most stable and successful franchises in the NFL. It feels like every year without fail, the Ravens are a legitimate playoff contender, and he has cultivated one of the most dedicated fanbases in the league.
5. San Francisco 49ers: Denise York and Jed York
The York family’s ownership of the 49ers has had many highs and lows since they purchased the organization for an unthinkable $13 million in 1977, but under Jed York’s leadership in recent years, it has really returned to prominence. It feels like it is just a matter of time before they get over the hump and reclaim Super Bowl glory.
4. Buffalo Bills: Terry and Kim Pegula
Terry and Kim Pegula are heroes in Buffalo for having purchased the Bills when they did, as their doing so—and investment in the area—saved the team from potential relocation.
In addition to their investments off the field, the team has really come together in recent years, in no small part thanks to their decision to bring in head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen. The challenge of getting past Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Chiefs still looms large, but the Pegulas have no doubt brought new hope to Buffalo fans.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Art Rooney II
Art Rooney II has continued the family legacy of strong leadership, continuity with the coaching staff, and competitive teams since taking over the Steelers. The team’s strong organizational culture is representative of its City, and the fans love and respect them for it.
2. Los Angeles Rams: Stan Kroenke
Stan Kroenke’s ownership of the Rams has been eventful, to say the least… There was the team’s relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles… the construction of the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium… and, of course, capturing the Super Bowl with their F the Picks strategy!
As much as the public despises his cutthroat methods, it is hard to argue Kroenke’s position as a top-tier owner.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Clark Hunt
It is hard to argue that there is any better ownership in the NFL at this point than the Kansas City Chiefs. Granted, there is a strong degree of hindsight because they gambled correctly on Patrick Mahomes, but when you look at the legacy of his family in the NFL and the way that they’ve always managed to keep the team relevant in conjunction with the new heights they’ve hit this decade, they are the top of the top.
