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As team values rise \u2014 highlighted by the record $6.1 billion sale<\/a> of the NBA\u2019s Boston Celtics \u2014 sports empires are thriving. CNBC\u2019s official sports empire valuations determined that the world\u2019s 20 most valuable sports ownership groups are worth a combined $225 billion.<\/p>\n According to sports bankers and executives interviewed by CNBC, empires function much like software companies that manage highly valuable intellectual property. That centralized structure enhances value and profitability. Administrative expenses such as accounting and human resources do not rise proportionally with each new team or venue, creating economies of scale. <\/strong><\/p>\n Sports empires can vary from one another in the kinds of teams they buy, the types of other businesses they own and the geographical areas where their teams are located.<\/p>\n The most valuable sports ownership portfolio, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, owned by Stanley Kroenke, stands well above the rest. Valued at $21.2 billion, the empire spans geography and sports. It includes the NFL\u2019s Los Angeles Rams, the NHL\u2019s Colorado Avalanche, the NBA\u2019s Denver Nuggets and the Premier League\u2019s Arsenal.<\/p>\n Other empires are also diverse in terms of geography and types of sports.<\/p>\n Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, co-owned by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, ranks third on CNBC\u2019s list, with a valuation of $14.6 billion. HBSE\u2019s holdings include the NFL\u2019s Washington Commanders, the NBA\u2019s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL\u2019s New Jersey Devils and minority stakes in NASCAR\u2019s Joe Gibbs Racing and Premier League club Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n Fenway Sports Group, co-founded by John Henry and Tom Werner, owns MLB\u2019s Boston Red Sox, the NHL\u2019s Pittsburgh Penguins, Liverpool FC of the Premier League and the regional sports network NESN. It also holds minority stakes in NASCAR\u2019s RFK Racing and PGA Tour Enterprises, the commercial arm of the PGA Tour. FSG is ranked fourth, at $14.2 billion, according to CNBC\u2019s calculations.<\/p>\n Monumental Sports & Entertainment, ranked 19th, has focused on building a highly concentrated regional empire. It owns the NHL\u2019s Washington Capitals, the NBA\u2019s Washington Wizards, the WNBA\u2019s Washington Mystics and the Monumental Sports Network. MSE is valued at $7.8 billion, according to CNBC\u2019s valuations.<\/p>\n AEG Worldwide ranks sixth at $12 billion, not including its music or hotel businesses. Though it owns just two teams \u2014 the NHL\u2019s Los Angeles Kings and MLS\u2019 L.A. Galaxy \u2014 AEG\u2019s sports portfolio centers on major entertainment venues. These include Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, The O2 in London and Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany. It also operates the AccorHotels Arena in Paris and holds a minority stake in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. AEG also owns the ticketing firm AXS, which services many events hosted at its venues.<\/p>\n City Football Group, ranked 20th, is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is focused on a single sport: soccer. Its primary asset is the English team Manchester City, but CFG also holds a majority stake in MLS\u2019 New York City FC and investments in soccer clubs across Brazil, Australia, Japan, China and India. CFG is valued at $7.7 billion, according to CNBC\u2019s valuations.<\/p>\n More sports empires are on the way. In June, Mark Walter \u2014 who bought a minority stake in the NBA\u2019s L.A. Lakers in 2021 and owns several other sports properties, including MLB\u2019s Los Angeles Dodgers \u2014 agreed to buy a controlling interest in the Lakers for $10 billion<\/a>. Also in June, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson agreed to buy John Textor\u2019s 43% stake in the Premier League\u2019s Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n