2015 Forbes' Billionaires Sports List

Michael Jordan and two other NBA owners have reached new heights, making Forbes world list of billionaires.

Forbes released its list on Monday and noted that Jordan's net worth is estimated at $1 billion, thanks to his well-timed investment in the Charlotte Hornets.

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, with a net worth of $1.6 billion, and the Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, worth $1.3 billion are also on the list. Jordan and Reinsdorf are newcomers to the list while Alexander returns for the first time since 2007.

The net worth of NBA franchise values increased this past year after the sale of Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

The 52-year-old Jordan, a Hall of Fame player who won six NBA championships with the Bulls, reached billionaire status last June, according to the magazine. This is his first year on Forbes' annual list which typically is released in March.

Jordan acquired the majority stake in the Hornets in 2010 for $175 million. Forbes last June listed Jordan's equity as owner of the Hornets is $416 million and his net worth outside of the team to be $600 million.

Topping the list of sports-related billionaires was Stanley Kroenke, who owns the NFL's St. Louis Rams. His net worth of $6.3 billion, which ranks him as the 225th richest person in the world.

He is one of 11 NFL owners on a list that include 20 billionaire sports figures.

The sports-related billionaires are listed below by name (affiliation), net worth and worldwide rank in terms of net worth:

  • Stanley Kroenke (Rams), $6.3 billion, 225
  • Robert Kraft (Patriots), $4.3 billion,381
  • Jerry Jones (Cowboys), $4.2 billion, 393
  • Bernard Ecclestone (Formula One), $3.9 billion, 435
  • Stephen Bisciotti (Ravens), 2.7 billion, 690
  • Arthur Blank (Falcons), $2.5 billion, 737
  • Robert McNair (Texans), $2.4 billion, 782
  • James France (NASCAR), $2.1 billion, 894
  • Tom Benson (Saints, Pelicans), $1.9 billion, 1006
  • James Irsay (Colts), $1.75 billion, 1105
  • Daniel Snyder (Washington NFL team), $1.7 billion, 1118
  • Leslie Alexander (Rockets), $1.6 billion, 1190
  • John Henry (Red Sox, Liverpool Soccer), $1.6 billion, 1190
  • Frank Fertitta (Ultimate Fighting), $1.5 billion, 1250
  • Lorenzo Fertitta (Ultimate Fighting), $1.5 billion, 1250
  • Arturo Moreno (Billboards), $1.5 billion, 1250
  • Jerry Reinsdorf (Bulls), $1.3 million, 1415
  • Alexander Spanos (Chargers), $1.25 billion,1500
  • Jeffrey Lurie (Eagles), $1.1 billion, 1638
  • Michael Jordan (Hornets), $1 billion, 1741
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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