The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular and lucrative professional sports league in the United States. With 32 teams across the country, the NFL generates over $15 billion in annual revenue. However, despite having a player base that is nearly 70% African American, the NFL has never had a black majority owner in its 100+ year history.
While there have been a few minority owners over the years, the principal owners of NFL teams, who have the controlling stake and decision-making power, have all been white. This lack of diversity in NFL ownership has been a long-standing issue that many have called to be addressed. So why exactly has the NFL never had a black owner?
The History of NFL Ownership
Since its formation in 1920, the NFL has historically had very little diversity among team owners. From the league’s early decades, ownership groups were generally comprised of wealthy white businessmen or family descendants who had inherited teams. Critics have attributed the homogenous makeup to societal norms and standards at the time.
Racial integration did not begin in the NFL until 1946, when Kenny Washington and Woody Strode signed with the LA Rams, marking the first black players in the league since 1933. Even as more black players joined NFL rosters over the next decades, ownership remained entirely white. It was not until 2009, when Pakistani American entrepreneur Shahid Khan purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars, that the NFL had its first non-white principal owner.
The NFL has historically been a “good old boys club,” with ownership opportunities rarely extending beyond the small network of multi-millionaires and billionaires that already permeated the league. The high cost required to purchase an NFL franchise also created a significant barrier to entry for minority ownership candidates.
Notable Firsts for Black NFL Owners
- 1957 – First black minority NFL owner – Bill Willis – Cleveland Browns (minority share)
- 1981 – First black majority NFL owner – Edward DeBartolo Jr. – San Francisco 49ers
- 1990 – First black female NFL owner – Georgia Frontiere – Los Angeles Rams
While these milestones certainly represented progress, the minority stakes amounted to little actual authority or controlling interest compared to the principal owners.
Why Hasn’t the NFL Had a Black Majority Owner?
There are several key factors that have contributed to the NFL’s lack of black principal owners throughout its history:
The High Cost of Team Ownership
NFL franchises are extremely expensive assets that require huge amounts of capital to purchase and operate annually. The average team valuation currently exceeds $3.5 billion, making it a very exclusive club. Several black sports figures and businesspeople certainly have high net worths that could be in range, but liquidating enough assets or securing financing for a team purchase is an enormous hurdle.
Limited Opportunities for New Owners
Unlike leagues like the NBA that have expanded significantly in recent decades, the NFL ownership group has remained capped at 32 principal owners. Teams rarely become available for purchase, limiting the chances for new owners of any background to enter the league. The last time an NFL team was sold was 2018, when David Tepper purchased the Carolina Panthers for a record $2.275 billion.
Established Networks Favor Current Owners
The pipeline to NFL ownership often runs through established networks of family connections or business partnerships that current owners leverage to identify candidates they want to bring into the league. It can be difficult to break into these long-standing “old boys clubs” as an outsider.
Lingering Racial Biases
While outright racism has diminished, some league insiders suggest there are still subtle racial biases and stereotyping that influence existing NFL owners against taking minority ownership candidates seriously, especially for the controlling stakes.
What Are the Barriers for Black Candidates Today?
In the present NFL landscape, black ownership candidates still face considerable challenges, including:
The Expensive Price of Admission
The multibillion dollar valuations of NFL teams make them extremely cost prohibitive. Even individuals with substantial assets may struggle to be liquid enough to become majority shareholders of a franchise.
Skepticism About Marketing Appeal
Some critics have suggested that the old guard of NFL owners are concerned that black principal owners may be less marketable to the league’s broad audience, making it more difficult to attract investors and community support.
Difficulty Getting a Seat at the Table
Without existing insider connections and relationships with current owners, it can be tough for black candidates to get seriously considered for ownership opportunities as they arise.
Lack of Meaningful Rooney Rule Expansion
The Rooney Rule was implemented in 2003 to help promote diversity in NFL coaching and executive hires. But the rule does not currently apply to ownership, so league insider advantages remain unchecked in that realm.
What Efforts Have Been Made to Promote Black Ownership?
In light of ongoing criticism over the lack of diversity in NFL ownership, the league has faced growing pressure to take meaningful action to create opportunities for black ownership candidates. Some initiatives that have aimed to address this include:
Expanded Minority Ownership Stakes
The league has encouraged teams to add more minority investment partners at reduced ownership levels, hoping to build a pipeline of diverse candidates who may eventuallypurchase majority stakes.
Potential Ownership Rule Expansion
There has been discussion around formally expanding the Rooney Rule to include ownership and top executive positions beyond just coaches. However, no official rule has been implemented yet by the league.
Focused Candidate Development
Groups like The Black Players Coalition have created programs to identify, support, and foster the next generation of minority owners by facilitating finance education and networking.
External Investment Groups
Third party companies like Arctos Sports Partners have raised funds to buy smaller shares in pro teams with the goal of increasing access for underrepresented ownership groups.
Who Are Some of the Leading Black Ownership Candidates?
With the focus increasing on diversity in the ownership ranks, several prominent black business leaders and former star players have emerged as potential candidates to become the NFL’s first black principal owner:
| Name | Background | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Smith | Former NFL running back | $20 million |
| Magic Johnson | NBA legend and entrepreneur | $600 million |
| Byron Allen | Media executive and investor | $400 million |
| Janice Bryant Howroyd | ActOne Group founder and CEO | $820 million |
This list highlights just a few of the business leaders who would have both the financial capability and passion for football required to become an NFL owner. As evidenced by their significant career success, they could also bring valuable perspectives and leadership to the ownership group.
What Impact Could a Black Principal Owner Have?
Beyond breaking a long-standing racial barrier, the NFL finally having a black principal owner could have several important impacts:
Increased Diversity of Perspectives
A black owner would bring an underrepresented viewpoint to league oversight and strategic decisions.
Greater Community Connection
Better engaging with broader fan communities could strengthen support and provide marketing opportunities.
Added Credibility on Social Justice
A black voice among owners could amplify the league’s platform and initiatives around racial equality and social justice reforms.
Inspiration for Younger Generations
Seeing black men and women in the owners’ box could inspire more minority youth to pursue careers in sports business and management.
Positive Example for Other Leagues
Breaking this barrier in the NFL could motivate other leagues to diversify their ownership as well.
When Could We Realistically See a Black Majority Owner?
Projecting forward, the most likely timeline for the NFL to finally have black principal owner could be:
Within 5 Years
Several teams have aging owners who are expected to sell their franchises relatively soon. If the league makes diversity a priority in approving new owners, top black candidates could emerge in this timeframe.
Within 10 Years
As television contracts and the sports gambling industry continue expanding NFL revenue streams, franchise values will keep rising. This increased equity could enable strong minority investors to buy controlling stakes.
Beyond 10 Years
If the “old boy” culture among current owners remains resistant to change, it may take a generational shift for black representation in principal ownership roles.
Conclusion
The NFL has clearly lacked diversity in team ownership throughout its history. But with growing calls for racial equity across all industries, there is pressure and opportunity for the league to finally have its first black principal owner. Despite the challenges that remain, impactful candidates have emerged who could break this barrier in the next decade. Not only would a black majority owner signal meaningful progress, but they would also bring an invaluable new perspective to stewarding the NFL into the future.