Broncos sale price: How NFL's record-breaking deal compares to list of most expensive American sports franchise sales

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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.

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.

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.

MORE: NFL's 25 highest-paid players in 2022

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
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David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.