$27.8 billion worth Miriam Adelson and other NBA owners that have been Republican donors: A comprehensive list

News: Sheldon Adelson - Source: Imagn
$27.8 billion worth Miriam Adelson and other NBA owners that have been Republican donors: A comprehensive list - Source: Imagn

From Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson to Suns owner Robert Sarver, a handful of NBA owners have been Republican donors. One is Miriam Adelson, who has a net worth of $27.8 billion, according to Forbes' Leo Kamin.


NBA owners who have been Republican donors

#8, Clay Bennett, OKC Thunder

OKC Thunder owner Clay Bennett - Source: Imagn
OKC Thunder owner Clay Bennett - Source: Imagn

Aside from being an owner of the NBA's OKC Thunder franchise, Clay Bennet is also recognized as the Professional Basketball Club LLC chairman. He was pivotal in acquiring the franchise from Howard Schultz, when it was still the Seattle SuperSonics. The Republican donated $50,100 around 2016-20.

#7, Dan DeVos, Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic owner Dan DeVos - Source: Imagn
Orlando Magic owner Dan DeVos - Source: Imagn

Since 2011, Dan DeVos has been the owner of the Orlando Magic. Aside from his sports affiliations, he is best known for being the president and chief executive officer of DP Fox Ventures. According to ESPN, DeVos donated $2,280,400 around 2016-20.

#6, Josh Harris, Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris - Source: Imagn
Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris - Source: Imagn

In 2011, Josh Harris secured ownership of the Philadelphia 76ers for $280 million. His tenure with the organization is best known for its utilization of "The Process" era to collect first-round picks in the hopes of building a competitive roster. The NBA franchise owner donated $314,700 as a Republican.

#5, Tom Gores, Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores - Source: Imagn
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores - Source: Imagn

Owner of the Detroit Pistons and CEO of the Platinum Equity global investment firm, Tom Gores has donated $5,400 as a Republican. The NBA franchise has faced some challenging restructuring from the roster to the management.

#4, Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta - Source: Imagn
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta - Source: Imagn

As a Republican, Tilman Fertitta donated around $444,200 from 2018 to 2020. The Rockets owner bought the franchise in 2017 for $2.2 billion. The NBA franchise is in the middle of a rebuild after the James Harden era came up short in delivering a championship.

#3, Robert Sarver, Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver - Source: Imagn
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver - Source: Imagn

Around 2016-20, Suns owner Robert Sarver donated $105,300 as a Republican donor. It took about $401 million to purchase the NBA franchise in 2004, and he has overseen several versions of the team from the Steve Nash era to the current big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

#2, Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban - Source: Imagn
Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban - Source: Imagn

Regarded as one of the most famous entrepreneurs, Mark Cuban gained more recognition when he purchased the Dallas Mavericks for $285 million in 2000. In 2012, Cuban donated $6,000 to Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, as per Newsmeat.com.

#1, Miriam Adelson, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson - Source: Imagn
Dallas Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson - Source: Imagn

Miriam Adelson bought a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks from Cuban on Dec. 27. The Las Vegas Sands owner has donated $5.8 million to Donald Trump groups and a huge amount of $220 million to Republican causes in 2020, as per Forbes' Leo Kamin.

Quick Links

Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein