Discover Which NFL Teams Are Still Owned By Their Founding Families Today
Have you ever wondered about the enduring legacies behind your favorite NFL teams? It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of game day, watching the players make incredible plays or the coaches strategize on the sidelines. But there's a whole different group of people working behind the scenes, shaping the very foundation of these powerful sports organizations. These are the owners, and their stories, you know, sometimes stretch back decades, truly connecting with the very beginnings of professional football.
The National Football League, you see, isn't run by just one big boss. Instead, it's a collection of 32 individual teams, each with its own owner or ownership group. This setup means a lot of different people, with different ideas and backgrounds, all come together to make the league what it is. It's a rather unique way to run a major sports league, actually, with each team being a separate entity.
It might surprise you to learn just how many teams have stayed within the same family for generations. These family connections bring a special kind of stability and tradition to the game, and in some respects, they really shape a team's identity. We're going to explore which NFL teams are still owned by original families, looking at how these long-standing relationships have helped build the league we all enjoy watching today.
- How Much Is Mark Davis Net Worth
- Who At Fox News Has A Law Degree
- Why Is Mark Davis So Rich
- Who Are The Black Female Nfl Owners
- What Teams Are Going To Las Vegas In 2026
Table of Contents
- Understanding NFL Ownership Rules
- The Power of Legacy: Why Family Ownership Matters
- Teams with Founding Family Ties
- Unique Ownership Structures in the NFL
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Understanding NFL Ownership Rules
The NFL has some clear guidelines for who can own a team and how they must do it. For instance, the league asks that a controlling owner hold at least a 30% stake in the team. This rule helps make sure there's a clear leader for each franchise, someone who can make the big decisions. It’s a way to keep things organized, you know, and make sure there’s always a clear direction.
Another rule limits ownership groups to no more than 24 people. This helps keep things from getting too complicated, preventing too many voices from trying to steer the ship at once. It’s pretty sensible, actually, when you think about managing such a large and valuable asset.
There are a few exceptions, though. The Green Bay Packers, for example, are exempt from some of these rules due to a special grandfather clause. They're owned by shareholders, which is a very different way of doing things compared to most other teams. It’s a unique part of their history, and quite a story, that.
- Why Did Tom Brady Invest In Birmingham City
- Who Did Hayden Hopkins Have A Baby With
- What Is The Most Talented Nfl Team Of All Time
- How Many People Own The Raiders
- Who Is The Football Player With 24 Year Old Girlfriend
The Power of Legacy: Why Family Ownership Matters
When a team stays within the same family for a long time, it often means a certain culture and set of values can really take root. This kind of ownership can bring a lot of stability, which is pretty important in a league where things can change so quickly. A family that has owned a team for generations might, you know, have a deeper understanding of its history and its place in the community.
These families often see their team as more than just a business; it’s a part of their heritage. This can lead to a more patient approach to building a winning team, perhaps focusing on long-term goals rather than just quick fixes. It's a different way of looking at things, really, compared to some of the newer ownership groups.
For fans, there’s something special about knowing that the team they cheer for has been cared for by the same family for decades. It creates a sense of continuity and tradition, which can strengthen the bond between the team and its supporters. It’s almost like a part of the family, too, in a way, for many communities.
Teams with Founding Family Ties
It's pretty amazing, but eight teams in the NFL are still owned by their founding families. These families have held onto their franchises through thick and thin, creating some of the league’s most enduring legacies. They really do represent a piece of NFL history, you know, staying connected to the very start of things.
Arizona Cardinals (Bidwill Family)
The Bidwill family has one of the longest continuous ownerships in the NFL. Charles Bidwill bought the then-Chicago Cardinals in 1933. The team moved to St. Louis and then to Arizona, but the Bidwill family has remained at the helm throughout all those changes. It's quite a testament to their dedication, that.
Today, Michael Bidwill, Charles’s grandson, runs the team. Their long history shows a real commitment to the sport, even with all the moves and different eras of football. They’ve seen a lot of changes, and still, they're there, leading the team.
Chicago Bears (McCaskey Family)
The Chicago Bears are a true NFL original, and their story is deeply tied to the Halas family. George Halas, a legend in the sport, founded the team in 1920. After his passing, his daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey, took over the ownership reins. She's been a very important figure in the team's history.
Virginia’s son, George McCaskey, now serves as the team's chairman. The Bears, in a way, are almost synonymous with the Halas-McCaskey family, representing a direct link to the league’s earliest days. It’s a pretty strong connection, you know, to the very roots of the game.
Cincinnati Bengals (Brown Family)
The Cincinnati Bengals were founded by Paul Brown in 1967. Brown was a legendary coach and innovator in football, and he wanted to build a franchise his way. After his passing, his son, Mike Brown, took over as the team’s general manager and eventually became the controlling owner.
The Brown family has maintained ownership ever since, guiding the Bengals through many seasons. It’s a team that really reflects its founder’s vision, and Mike Brown has continued that legacy, often making the big decisions for the team. It’s quite a family affair, really.
Detroit Lions (Ford Family)
The Detroit Lions have been owned by the Ford family since William Clay Ford Sr. purchased the team in 1963. The Ford name, of course, is famous far beyond football, but for generations of Lions fans, it’s also the name tied to their team. It's a pretty big commitment, owning an NFL team for so long.
After William Clay Ford Sr.’s passing, his wife, Martha Firestone Ford, took over, and now their daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, leads the team. The Ford family has shown a very steady presence, even through the team's ups and downs. They’ve been there, through it all, you know.
Kansas City Chiefs (Hunt Family)
The Kansas City Chiefs' story begins with Lamar Hunt, a true visionary who founded the American Football League (AFL) in 1960. He introduced the Dallas Texans, a rival to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys at the time. This team later moved and became the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a bold move, that, starting a whole new league.
Lamar Hunt was a key figure in the eventual merger of the AFL and NFL. His family has continued to own the Chiefs, with his son, Clark Hunt, now running the day-to-day operations. The Hunt family's influence on professional football is really quite significant, shaping a lot of what we see today.
New York Giants (Mara Family)
The New York Giants are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, and they’ve been owned by the Mara family since their founding in 1925 by Tim Mara. This makes them one of the league's true foundational families. Their history is deeply woven into the fabric of the NFL itself.
Today, John Mara, Tim’s grandson, is the team’s president and CEO. The Mara family has guided the Giants through decades of football, including many championships. It's a long and storied history, and they’ve been a constant presence, really.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Rooney Family)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are famously owned by the Rooney family. Art Rooney Sr. founded the team in 1933, originally calling them the Pittsburgh Pirates, like the baseball team. The team later changed its name to the Steelers. This family has kept the team in Pittsburgh, which is something fans truly appreciate.
Over half a century later, the Rooney family still owns the team, with Art Rooney II, Art Sr.'s grandson, serving as president. The Steelers are known for their consistent culture and success, much of which is attributed to the steady leadership of the Rooney family. They've built something special there, you know, over the years.
San Francisco 49ers (York Family)
The San Francisco 49ers are owned by the York family, who are descendants of Eddie DeBartolo Sr. DeBartolo Sr. bought the team in 1977, and during his ownership, the 49ers became one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. It was a pretty golden era for them, actually.
His daughter, Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, John York, took over ownership, and their son, Jed York, now serves as the CEO. The York family continues the legacy of a team that has seen incredible highs, maintaining that connection to a very successful past. They're still building on that foundation, you know.
Unique Ownership Structures in the NFL
While many teams have a clear family owner, some franchises have different setups that are worth looking at. These unique arrangements show that there’s more than one way to run an NFL team, and they each have their own interesting stories. It’s pretty varied, the landscape of ownership, really.
Green Bay Packers: The Shareholder Model
The Green Bay Packers stand alone in the NFL as the only team owned by its fans through a public stock offering. This means thousands of individual shareholders collectively own the team, rather than a single person or family. This structure is quite old, dating back to the team’s early days, and it's exempt from the NFL’s usual ownership rules under a grandfather clause.
It creates a very special bond between the team and its community, as the fans are literally the owners. This model is a fascinating part of NFL history and, in a way, it’s a direct link to the community, making it very unique.
Houston Texans: A Newer Family Legacy
The Houston Texans are a relatively newer franchise in the NFL, having joined the league in 2002. They were founded by Bob McNair, who remained the team’s primary owner until his passing. His vision brought NFL football back to Houston. It was a big deal for the city, that.
Today, the team is still owned by the McNair family, with Bob’s wife, Janice McNair, and son, Cal McNair, holding key leadership roles. While not a "founding family" in the same multi-generational sense as the Maras or Rooneys, the McNair family has established a strong, continuous presence since the team’s inception. They've been there from the start, you know, building the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about NFL team ownership, especially when it comes to the long-standing family ties. Here are some common inquiries that come up, you know, when discussing this topic.
How many NFL teams are still owned by their original families?
Based on the information available, there are eight NFL teams that are still owned by their founding families. These families have maintained control of their franchises for many decades, some even since the very beginning of the league. It's a pretty remarkable feat, really, to keep a team in the family for so long.
What is the longest-running family ownership in the NFL?
The Bidwill family, owners of the Arizona Cardinals, have one of the longest continuous ownerships in the NFL, dating back to 1933 when Charles Bidwill bought the Chicago Cardinals. The Mara family of the New York Giants also has a very long history, having founded their team in 1925. These families have seen a lot of changes in the league, you know, over the years.
Do all NFL teams have a single owner?
No, not all NFL teams have a single owner. While the NFL requires a controlling owner to hold a significant stake, many teams have ownership groups with multiple people. The Green Bay Packers, for instance, are famously owned by thousands of shareholders. So, it's not always just one person, or even one family, at the very top.
Conclusion
The stories of NFL teams still owned by their original families really show the deep roots and lasting traditions in professional football. These families, like the Rooneys in Pittsburgh or the Maras in New York, have not only guided their teams through many seasons but have also played a big part in shaping the league itself. Their dedication often brings a unique sense of stability and a very personal touch to how a franchise is run. It’s pretty clear, actually, that these long-standing family connections are a special part of the NFL’s rich history.
Understanding who owns these teams and how they operate gives you a fuller picture of the game you love. It’s more than just what happens on the field; it’s about the people and the history behind the jerseys. To learn more about NFL team ownership structures on our site, and to link to this page for more details on specific team histories, feel free to explore.
For further reading on the current landscape of NFL team owners and their backgrounds, you can check out resources like the official NFL website or reputable sports news outlets. For example, you might find more details on NFL.com. It's really quite interesting to see how these different ownership styles play out across the league, as of .
- Which Nfl Team Is Not Owned By Anyone
- Which Fox Personalities Are Catholic
- Why Is Heather Ly Leaving
- What Skin Color Was Aisha
- How Much Are 2026 Super Bowl Tickets

NFL Schedule Release: Week 1 Games and More - The New York Times

Download NFL All Team Logos Wallpaper | Wallpapers.com

National Football League (NFL) | History, Teams, & Facts | Britannica