After years of uncertainty, the Broncos have finally found a new owner. The franchise announced late Tuesday that the team had been sold to a group led by Rob Walton, son of Walmart founder Sam Walton.
The Denver Broncos and the Walton-Penner family have entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the team.
Statements: pic.twitter.com/tMcfuAifeS
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 8, 2022
With the purchase, Walton becomes the NFL’s wealthiest owner, and it’s not close. According to Bloomberg, Walton’s net worth is $59.2 billion. That makes him the 17th-wealthiest person in the world. By comparison, the league’s second-wealthiest owner, David Tepper of the Panthers, is reportedly worth $16.7 billion.
How much are the Broncos being sold for?
Walton’s group is buying the franchise from the Pat Bowlen Trust for an eye-opening price. Sources told 9NEWS’s Mike Klis that the group agreed to pay $4.65 billion to acquire the franchise. That’s a record sale price for an American sports team.
Per industry source, the sale price for the Broncos is a U.S. sports-franchise record $4.65 billion. It’s clear how much Walton-Penner group wanted Broncos. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) June 8, 2022
The group is composed of Walton; his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and son-in-law, Greg Penner; and Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments.
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The $4.65 billion price smashes the record for most expensive NFL team. Tepper bought the Panthers for $2.275 billion from Jerry Richardson in 2018.
The 10 most expensive American sports franchise sales
| Team name (League) | Buyer | Price | Year |
| Denver Broncos (NFL) | Rob Walton/Walton-Penner family/Mellody Hobson | $4.65 billion | 2022 |
| New York Mets (MLB) | Steve Cohen | $2.4 billion | 2020 |
| Brooklyn Nets (NBA) | Joseph Tsai | $2.35 billion | 2019 |
| Carolina Panthers (NFL) | David Tepper | $2.275 billion | 2018 |
| Houston Rockets (NBA) | Tilman Fertitta | $2.2 billion | 2017 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) | Guggenheim Baseball Management | $2.15 billion | 2012 |
| Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) | Steve Ballmer | $2 billion | 2014 |
| Buffalo Bills (NFL) | Terry and Kim Pegula | $1.4 billion | 2014 |
| Seattle Mariners (MLB) | John Stanton | $1.4 billion | 2016 |
| Miami Marlins (MLB) | Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter | $1.2 billion | 2017 |