NFL’s richest owner launches Detroit franchise as $146bn mogul builds world’s second costliest stadium

Rob Walton has thrown his vast fortune behind Motor City Golf Club — the fourth WTGL franchise.

After Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy made indoor golf a hit with TGL, an inaugural women’s season will tee off this fall.

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Denver Broncos owner Walton — worth $146 billion per Forbes — is part of an ownership group setting up a team in Detroit.

He is joined by principals Michael Hamp, Peter Hamp, and Kevin Kelleher.

Jordan Rose Walton, Kit Hawkins, and Vansa Chatikavanij of Present Ventures, and sports entrepreneur Kal Somani are also involved in the collective, which also owns the ​Motor City Golf Club men’s TGL franchise that is joining for the upcoming season.

“Detroit is one of America’s greatest sports ​cities, and our fans have welcomed and shown early excitement for Motor City Golf ​Club as we build toward our TGL debut,” Hamp said in a statement.

“Our goal with Motor City Golf Club from the start was to be a club and team ​for everyone who loves our city and loves golf.

“Joining WTGL to help ​create a world-class platform for women’s team golf is an exciting and obvious next chapter for ‌our ⁠ownership group.”

TGL was founded in 2025 and has carved out a niche for itself.

Walton’s fellow NFL owner Arthur M. Blank leads one of the other WTGL franchises in Atlanta Drive Golf ​Club, with Alexis Ohanian’s Los Angeles Golf Club, and and Steve ⁠Cohen’s New York Golf Club the others.

So far 14 ​players have committed with four inside the top ​10 of the Rolex Women’s Golf rankings in Jeeno Thitikul, Charley Hull, Lottie Woad and Minjee Lee of Australia.

No. 11 Lydia Ko is also involved and teams will compete in the state-of-the-art arena at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

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AFP

Broncos geared up for success

Walton — the 11th richest person in the world — is part of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, which runs the Broncos under controlling owner and CEO Greg Penner.

The group took over the franchise for $4.65 billion in 2022 as has delivered success on and off the field.

Head coach Sean Payton has assembled a strong roster with quarterback Bo Nix at the helm.

The starting quarterback went down injured before an AFC Championship Game defeat to the New England Patriots.

Denver wasted no time in building for 2026 and acquired former Miami Dolphins standout Jaylen Waddle in a splashy trade to bolster the receiving corps.

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Progress has also been made on a new stadium with a location selected for a state-of-the-art arena featuring a retractable roof.

Historic Burnham Yard had been left to crumble after trains stopped rolling and the team will now transform the prime real estate.

It will be a fully privately-funded venture, which the Denver Post reporting that the cost is expected to be $4 billion.

It would become the second most expensive in the world behind SoFi stadium, which houses the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

SoFi cost $5.5bn and its nearest completed rival is Yankee Stadium, which cost $2.3bn.

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