What NFL Team Is Owned By A Woman? A Look At Trailblazing Leaders

Miss Haven Skiles 29 Jul 2025

For a long time, the NFL felt like a place mostly for men, especially when it came to who owned the teams. Yet, something really interesting is happening now: it's becoming much more welcoming to women in the ownership groups. This shift, you know, really shows how the league is changing to match its growing fan base.

More and more, professional football teams are bringing women into important jobs in their front offices and even on their coaching staffs. So, in a space that has traditionally been run by men, some women are now NFL team owners. This change is, quite frankly, a big deal.

This article gives a quick overview of the story of women who own NFL teams. It's quite a tale, actually, showing how these women are making a real mark on the sport. We'll explore who these powerful figures are and how they got to where they are today.

The Changing Face of NFL Ownership
Pioneering Women in NFL Ownership
Who Are the Current Female NFL Owners?
The Rules of NFL Ownership
"A Lifetime of Sundays": A Film About Female Owners
Wealthy Women Shaping the Game
Georgia Frontiere: A Historical Figure
Frequently Asked Questions

The Changing Face of NFL Ownership

The NFL has, for a long time, been a place where men mostly held the ownership reins. Yet, a small group of truly groundbreaking women are standing at the very front of this movement, breaking down barriers and showing what leadership looks like in professional football. These women are, in a way, reshaping the entire landscape of the league.

Their presence is a clear sign of how the league is trying to reflect its fan base, which is becoming much more diverse. Professional football teams have, you know, increasingly hired and given promotions to women for really important jobs. This includes positions in their main offices and even on the coaching staffs. It's a pretty big shift, actually.

Today, the league has more female owners than it ever has before. At least 12 of the total 32 NFL teams count women as controlling owners or as very active participants in the ownership group. This is, in some respects, a truly remarkable change, showing real progress.

Pioneering Women in NFL Ownership

While the club of NFL ownership has a minority of women, the ones who do have a spot at the table are making it count. They are, in a very real sense, helping to pave the way for future female leaders in the sport. Their influence is, you know, pretty significant.

Mellody Hobson: Making History with the Broncos

Mellody Hobson is, quite simply, set to make history by becoming the first Black female owner in NFL history. She's part of the group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton that bought the Denver Broncos. This is, by the way, a truly momentous occasion for the league and for diversity in sports ownership.

Her involvement represents a significant step forward for the NFL, showing a commitment to broader representation at the highest levels. It's a very exciting development, honestly, for many people who follow the sport and care about inclusivity. This kind of leadership is, you know, what the league needs more of.

Gayle Benson: The Saints and a New Era

It's worth noting that the New Orleans Saints became the first NFL team to be fully owned by a woman back in 2018. After Tom Benson, her husband, passed away, Gayle Benson inherited the team. She took on this huge responsibility, and has, in fact, done a remarkable job leading the franchise.

Her leadership has been, arguably, a model for other women stepping into similar roles. She demonstrates that women can absolutely manage a major professional sports team with great success. This was, in a way, a truly pioneering moment for female ownership in the NFL, setting a powerful precedent.

Iconic Matriarchs of the League

Four women, all in their 80s and 90s, own the Bears, Lions, Chiefs, and Steelers. Their stories are, you know, quite compelling and show a deep connection to the league's past. These women have, in a way, been pillars of their franchises for many years.

These matriarchs include Virginia Halas McCaskey of the Chicago Bears, Martha Ford of the Detroit Lions, Patricia Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Norma Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs. Their enduring presence in the league is, in some respects, a testament to their dedication and influence. They have, basically, seen the NFL grow and change over many decades.

Who Are the Current Female NFL Owners?

The NFL leads the way with six of its 32 teams listing women as primary owners. These teams include the Titans, Bears, Lions, Bills, 49ers, and Raiders. Although, it's worth noting, three of those come with large asterisks, meaning their control might be shared or inherited rather than solely acquired.

More broadly, at least 12 of the total 32 NFL teams have women as controlling or very active owners. This group includes the Colts, 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders, Browns, Bills, Buccaneers, Titans, Saints, Seahawks, Lions, and Broncos. This is, you know, a pretty impressive list that shows a growing trend.

So, to answer the question directly, the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans are owned by women. These are just a few examples, as the list of women involved in ownership is, actually, growing quite a bit. It's a very positive development for the league.

The Rules of NFL Ownership

The NFL has specific rules for who can be a controlling owner. A controlling owner must, at minimum, hold a 30% stake in the team. The league also, by the way, forbids ownership groups of over 24 people. These rules are in place to ensure clear leadership and accountability within each franchise.

One team, the Green Bay Packers, is exempt from this under a grandfather clause. They are, essentially, owned by shareholders, which is a unique setup in the league. This historical arrangement allows for broad public ownership, which is, in a way, quite different from other teams.

The Houston Texans are also a team where the ownership structure has, you know, been a topic of discussion, though the primary text does not specify a female owner for them. Understanding these rules helps to explain why certain ownership situations are structured the way they are. It's, basically, all about maintaining stability.

"A Lifetime of Sundays": A Film About Female Owners

The stories of four iconic female NFL team owners — Virginia Halas McCaskey, Martha Ford, Patricia Rooney, and Norma Hunt — are the subject of a film called “A Lifetime of Sundays.” This movie, you know, really sheds light on their history and contributions to the league. It's a very insightful look at their lives.

This film, as a matter of fact, highlights 15 women who are shaping the game of football. From flag football stars to NFL team presidents, these women continue to inspire and break down barriers. It's, in some respects, a celebration of their achievements, showing how much they've done.

To simply say their names is to, you know, step right into the pages of an NFL history book. In the league’s first 100 years, the men connected to those names helped build the most commanding enterprise in American sports. This film shows that women have, actually, been there helping to build it too, often behind the scenes.

Wealthy Women Shaping the Game

There are, in fact, 11 billionaires who control major professional franchises and are collectively worth $85 billion. This group is led by the Mavericks’ Miriam Adelson, though the text primarily focuses on NFL owners. These women are, basically, changing the game with their significant financial influence.

Their presence in sports ownership signifies a broader trend of women gaining more economic power and influence across various industries. It's, you know, pretty inspiring to see these figures making such a big impact. They are, in a way, redefining what it means to be a leader in professional sports.

Georgia Frontiere: A Historical Figure

Georgia Frontiere, born Violet Frances Irwin, was a very significant figure in NFL ownership history. She was the majority owner and chairperson of the St. Louis Rams. Her story is, arguably, an important part of the history of female ownership in the league.

She was, you know, one of the earliest women to hold such a prominent position in NFL ownership. Her time with the Rams, both in Los Angeles and St. Louis, left a lasting mark on the franchise. She paved the way for many of the women we see in ownership roles today, in some respects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people ask about women owning NFL teams:

Are there any female NFL owners?
Yes, absolutely! There are, in fact, several women who own NFL teams, either as controlling owners or as very active members of ownership groups. The number has, you know, grown quite a bit in recent years, showing a positive trend in the league.

Who was the first woman to fully own an NFL team?
The New Orleans Saints became the first NFL team to be fully owned by a woman in 2018, when Gayle Benson inherited the team after her husband, Tom Benson, passed away. She is, in a way, a true pioneer in this regard.

Which NFL teams have female owners today?
Today, at least 12 of the 32 NFL teams have women as controlling or significantly active owners. This includes teams like the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Colts, 49ers, Chiefs, Raiders, Browns, Bills, Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Broncos. It's, basically, a pretty diverse group across the league.

Learn more about the history of NFL ownership on our site, and link to this page for more details on women in sports leadership.

For additional insights into the NFL, you can visit nfl.com.

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