The Billionaires XI: The richest football club owners in the world

Here are the eleven top businessmen who opted to risk their hard earned money on the wonderful game of football.

11. Philip Anschutz (United States)

Net Worth: $10 billion

Club: Los Angeles Galaxy (United States)

The telecom giant is famous for his ambitious signing of David Beckham from Real Madrid that revolutionized the American football scenario forever. Philip owns LA Galaxy from his firm AEG, which also controls concerts at the world’s greatest venues in the form of London, Shanghai and LA.

10. Roman Abramovich (Russia)

Net Worth: $10.2 billion

Club: Chelsea Football Club (England)

Surprisingly enough, Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich is no.10 on the list, largely due to a major dip in his net worth in the past one year. The Russian billionaire has been controlling Chelsea for the past 10 years that has seen the club win almost every major trophy.

9. John Fredriksen (Cyprus)

Net worth: $11.5 billion

Team: Valerenga (Norway)

Cypriot billionaire has been one most passionate football fans of his country and it was not surprise when he invested in Valerenga. Already linked with plenty of EPL clubs, expect this business tycoon to be the next big name to rule the European football in years to come.

8. Paul Allen (United States)

Net worth: $15 billion, up $800 million from last year

Club: Seattle Sounders FC (United States)

More renowned for being the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul also owns Seattle Sounders – A Major League Soccer club that was founded in 2007.

7. François Pinault (France)

Net worth: $15 billion

Club: Rennes (France)

A fashion industry giant, Francois owns the French club Rennes since 1998. Although, he hasn’t been popular with the fans as he’s been reluctant in splashing the cash over the years. Unlike other owners, Pinault puts stability over surreal ambitions when it comes to running a football club.

6. Rinat Akhmetov (Ukraine)

Net worth: $15.4 billion

Club: FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

Akhmetov, the richest Ukranian has made Shakhtar a well-oiled winning machine with its lavish funding. Having claimed the Ukrainian league 7 times in the last 13 years and putting up some great Champions League performances, the owner has stamped his authority on European football.

5. Lakshmi Mittal (India)

Net Worth: $16.5 Billion

Club: Queens Park Rangers Football Club (England)

Long time London resident Mittal and his family have a 33% stake in Queens Park Rangers. Although his club did get relegated last season, expect them to make a swift comeback to the EPL with major activity on the transfer end this summer.

4. Alisher Usmanov (Russia)

Net Worth: $17.6 Billion

Club: Arsenal Football Club (England)

Starting off with core metal industries and then invading the Silicon Valley, it was almost destined that Usmanov will soon invest in one of the bigger football clubs. And he did in August 2007, when the richest Russian acquired around 15% stake in the North London club.

3. George Soros (United States)

Net Worth: $19.2 Billion

Club: Manchester United (England)

George Soros is a minority shareholder at Manchester United. He revealed that he’s got a 7.8% stake in the most valuable British football club through his investment firm – Soros Fund Management.

2. Amancio Ortega (Spain)

Net worth: $57 Billion, up $19.5 billion from last year.

Club: Deportivo La Coruna (Spain)

From ruling the fashion market to the footballing world, Ortega has done it all! He’s one of those involved owners in the game that you may find in the stands for almost every home game. Although, Ortega would like to invest more on what has been a stumbling team to retain his popularity among the demanding lot Deportivo fans.

1. Carlos Slim Helu (Mexico)

Net worth: $73 Billion

Clubs: Club Pachuca, Club Leon (Mexico) and Real Oviedo (Spain)

The richest man in the world, Carlos, is a business magnate from Mexico. His passion for the beautiful game has resulted into him being an owner of three football clubs. The clubs he own includes Real Oviedo, one of the best producers of Spanish footballing talents that was nearing a shutdown in late 2012.