$17bn NFL owner reveals he turned down world record $15bn sale offer for his team

The Washington Commanders sold in 2023 for a NFL record $6.05 billion.

The Los Angeles Lakers topped that eye-watering mark in June with a $10bn value that became the largest sale of a professional sports franchise in the world.

getty

But an NFL owner currently searching for a new head coach recently revealed that he easily could’ve beaten the Lakers’ $10bn record.

Which NFL owner could set sales record?

Stephen Ross holds a net worth of $17bn, according to Forbes.

He’s also the owner of the Miami Dolphins, who entered the AFL in 1966, have won two Super Bowls and once featured one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.

The Dolphins have disappointed in recent years, and after a 7-10 record in 2025 the franchise is seeking to replace Mike McDaniel as HC while evaluating Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s quarterback.

But below .500 records and frustrating QB play haven’t affected the efforts of billionaires to try and pry the Dolphins from Ross’ hands.

“I don’t think there’s a better asset,” Ross told Bloomberg on Wednesday at an event in Florida.

“I know what I’ve been offered. I mean, numbers you wouldn’t believe.”

When the 85-year-old Ross was asked specifically about those numbers, he revealed a figure that would topple the Lakers’ $10bn sale value and set a new record in the sports world.

Ross reveals why he passed on surreal number

“Well, I mean, close to $15 billion. Pretty high number,” Ross said. “But you say, ‘Where would you put the money?’ Then what am I going to — what would I do with it?”

It’s a fair point from Ross, since his net worth is approaching $20bn and he entered Thursday ranked as the No. 155 wealthiest person in the world.

getty

getty

Ross isn’t completely unwilling to move on from his sports properties.

He sold a 13 percent stake in the Dolphins, the Formula One Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open in December 2024 for $8.1bn.

A former real estate magnate and tax attorney, Ross plans to keep the Dolphins in the family.

Daniel Sillman, Ross’ son-in-law and a 37-year-old sports executive, is expected to take over ownership of the Dolphins once Ross moves on.

Sillman worked for Ross before marrying the owner’s daughter.

Most expensive teams in the NFL

Jerry Jones‘ Dallas Cowboys are valued at $13 billion and are the most expensive sports team in the world.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

The Los Angeles Rams ($10.5bn), New York Giants ($10.1bn), New England Patriots ($9bn) and San Francisco 49ers ($8.6bn) round out the top five in the NFL.

The Dolphins are 511-418-4 all-time and hold a 20-23 playoff record.

Miami went 11-6 under McDaniel in 2023 but the team hasn’t won a postseason game since 2000.

Imagine how much Ross will be offered after the 2026 season if the Dolphins find the right head coach and QB, and finally win another playoff game.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.