Operating an NFL franchise may require money, and lots of it, but it also requires smarts. The best owners hire creative people, financially support their visions and get out of the way, at least some of the time. Just as important, the NFL's money men also learn from their mistakes and evolve their operating philosophies with the changing business environment. These are the sort of people who top SI.com writer Michael Silver's ranking of every ownership group in the NFL, from best to worst:
1. Robert Kraft (Jonathan Kraft), Patriots
2. Jerry Jones (Stephen Jones), Cowboys
3. Jerry Richardson (Mark Richardson), Panthers
4. Bryan, Joel and Ed Glazer, Buccaneers
5. Daniel Snyder, Redskins
6. Jeffrey Lurie, Eagles
7. Bob McNair, Texans
8. Wayne Huizenga, Dolphins
9. Dan Rooney, Steelers
10. Pat Bowlen, Broncos
11. Jimmy Irsay, Colts
12. Paul Allen, Seahawks
13. Steve Bisciotti, Ravens
14. John Mara/Jonathan Tisch, Giants
15. Clark Hunt, Chiefs
16. Bob Harlan/Green Bay Packers Inc. (Brett Favre)
17. Woody Johnson, Jets
18. Bud Adams, Titans
19. Arthur Blank, Falcons
20. Al Davis, Raiders
21. Georgia Frontiere (John Shaw), Rams
22. Randy Lerner, Browns
23. Zygi Wilf, Vikings
24. Alex Spanos, Chargers
25. Denise DeBartolo York and John York, 49ers
26. Michael McCaskey, Bears
27. Bill Bidwill (Michael Bidwill), Cardinals
28. Wayne Weaver, Jaguars
29. William Clay Ford (Bill Ford Jr.), Lions
30. Ralph Wilson, Bills
31. Tom Benson, Saints
32. Mike Brown, Bengals
That's SI's take, but what is yours? Is the thought that Jones and Snyder both being among the five best owners unfathomable? Is Detroit's William Clay Ford too high, even at 29? Where was Silver right or wrong?


Anne V
Kayla Oberg



Comments (95) Add A Comment
Dan Snyder is number 5 because he tries? That makes A LOT of sense...
billrein
West Chester , PA
Total Comments (1)
I didn't expect Wayne Weaver to have a high ranking but to so resoundingly bash a man for being a crusader for revenue sharing is idiotic. Revenue sharing is important not only to Jacksonville but the other bottom half of the league in order to prevent a Yankees-Redsox and the rest of em money split in football. If Jerry Jones doesn't want to help other teams pay their bills then why should they help him build his billion dollar baby?
I don't mind the comments so much for the fact that Arthur Blank is discredited for his actions with Michael Vick, someone who with as much negative publicity hasn't been convicted of a single thing, after turning the Falcons organization from not much of anything into an impressive money making and fan supported franchise. Take also into the account that Daniel "Throw money at the problem" Snyder is allowed into the top ten because "he'll get it right eventually" shows what a biased idiot Michael Silver is.
RobM
Atlanta, GA
Total Comments (1)
If money is everything, Snyder belongs in the top five, sure. But until he relinquishes all control of player management, he's in my bottom five.
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
Bill Bidwell belongs at the bottom.
DavidSternBlows
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (1802)
Any list that still has Mike Brown as the worst and Bill Bidwell above the bottom must have been compiled in the 90's. Take off that flannel put down the crystal Pepsi and join us in the new millennium.
Pimpinnati
Cincinnati , OH
Total Comments (91)
From reading his columns it is pretty evident that Michael Silver lacks any common sense. This list just compounds that notion. The very fact that he has Jerry Jones #2 (because he tries), who by the way hasn't put a playoff winning team on the field in TEN YEARS goes to show how silly this list is. Oh yeah Dan Snyder #5? Can't wait till they start giving out rings for trying.
Ken Weide
Tarzana , CA
Total Comments (4)
Rooney should be in the top 5.
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12359)
The Rooneys at #9 shows that Silver is obviously clueless about football, but ranking Snyder #5 shows that he's insane. His sole criticism is for the Rooney's frugality and one guy's stupid email mistake - not even a valid football point. But that "frugality" has yielded 5 Super Bowls, a slew of Hall of Famers and the most loyal fan base in the sport. Snyder spends like it's monopoly money and best he's got has been....actually, just Antwan Randle El (ex-Steeler). Get real.
DCDiva
Total Comments (5)
Robert Kraft #1, sorry but a man whom does not want to keep his best players happy year after year does not get my vote. If it were not for the luck of Tom Brady the Patriots would be a perennial doormat. I would put Al Davis ahead of Kraft, at least his teams are somewhat interesting and loyal.
ttsaint
Lafayette , LA
Total Comments (1)
You put Arthur
gdg73
Tallahassee , FL
Total Comments (18)
The Rooneys at #9 shows that Silver is obviously clueless about football, but ranking Snyder #5 shows that he's insane. His sole criticism is for the Rooney's frugality and one guy's stupid email mistake - not even a valid football point. But that "frugality" has yielded 5 Super Bowls, a slew of Hall of Famers and the most loyal fan base in the sport. Snyder spends like it's monopoly money and best he's got has been....actually, just Antwan Randle El (ex-Steeler). Get real.
DCDiva
Total Comments (5)
The Rooneys at #9 shows that Silver is obviously clueless about football, but ranking Snyder #5 shows that he's insane. His sole criticism is for the Rooney's frugality and one guy's stupid email mistake - not even a valid football point. But that "frugality" has yielded 5 Super Bowls, a slew of Hall of Famers and the most loyal fan base in the sport. Snyder spends like it's monopoly money and best he's got has been....actually, just Antwan Randle El (ex-Steeler). Get real.
DCDiva
Total Comments (5)
Sorry about the triple post. Only submitted once.
DCDiva
Total Comments (5)
You put Arthur Blank at #19, and bash him because he won't cut the man everyone in Atlanta comes to see. He didn't become a millionaire by doing stupid stuff. Blank is a 1st class owner who tries his best to field a competitive team. Although, he was fooled by the snake-oil/elixir salesman Jim Mora, he got it right with Bobby Petrino. By the way, did you happen to see the empty seats in the Dome before Blank took over. Now, there is a waiting list for tickets.
gdg73
Tallahassee , FL
Total Comments (18)
Antwan Randle El is better than Clinton Portis, Santanna Moss, or Marcus Washington? All three of which have produced quite well for the Skins. So to say that the best free agent signee that Snyder brought in is Randel El is just stupid. I won't disagree with DCDiva that Snyder has made some questionable personell moves (Deion anyone), but the Rooneys are definately not immune from bad personel descisions. Letting a cornerstone of your defense (Joey Porter) leave and sign with someone in the same conference wasn't very intelligent nor is the unwillingness on the Rooneys part to pay one of if not the best offensive lineman (Alen Faneca) they have. With an offense predicated on running the ball and the fragile physce of Ben Rothlisberger in the balance, I would have figured someone as valuable to the line as Faneca would be a priority. But aparently not. These rankings should be seperated into two categories anyway, Bob Kraft and then everyone else.
bumbaklaat
New York , NY
Total Comments (6)
Thank you once again for showing the American public just how big of a **** you are. Dan Snyder ranked ahead of the Rooney family, are you kidding me. There is no need to even read you article any further, since it is obvious you have no idea what you are talking about.
PBF
Boca Raton , FL
Total Comments (1)
Rooney = #9 & Snyder = #5 ... Cocaine is a powerful drug.
elsilracs
San Antonio , TX
Total Comments (3)
Bowlen's Broncos have highest winning % last ten years or so. Always spends $ in Free agency, and keeps one of the best coaces in the league happy. I can see no reason why he shouldn't be top 3.
You are a moron.
jkiddrock
San Diego , CA
Total Comments (1)
ttsaint, last time I checked not just Tom Brady was on the field during their 3 Super Bowl wins. Also, what were Deion Branch's stats with Seattle? Oh yeah, 53 rec., 4 td's, and 725 yards. He really earned his contract huh? Don't you think that someone who will make more money over the next three years than Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, or Chad Jackson should show a little more productivity? Granted he didn't play the first three weeks, but he still would not have came close to the productivty of the three I listed. He wasn't even the Seahawks number one reciever! The only player that the Kraft's refused to sign that I disagree with is Ty Law. He was and still is a great shut-down corner. Other than that though I won't miss Corey Dillion or Lawyer Milloy. And, other than 85' the Patriots didn't even come close to the playoffs until Kraft showed up.
bumbaklaat
New York , NY
Total Comments (6)
Simple contention here about "Brett Favre" being listed among the owners for the Packers. If he has that big of an impact, as you state, then why did they draft D-Line with their first pick? Why haven't they gone after big-name WRs like the Patriots did, or a RB? There seems to be a group of sportswriters who believe that the Packers' number one job is to keep Brett Favre happy; you need to stop reading them and actually pay attention to what the team does.
Christian Thoma
Total Comments (661)
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