What is Virginia McCaskey Net worth? Where does Chicago Bears owner rank among NFL owners

The principal owner of the Chicago Bears and NFL royalty, Virginia McCaskey, passed away on February 6, 2025, a month after turning 102.

According to multiple outlets, the longtime NFL owner had an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. Her net worth was primarily attributed to the evaluation of the Chicago Bears. Furthermore, the McCaskey/Halas family holds 80% ownership of the Chicago Bears, which has an estimated net worth of $6.4 billion, as per Forbes.

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Despite having a net worth of billions, Virginia McCaskey was still not among the top 20 NFL team owners in terms of fortune. The list is topped by Rob Walton, who is one of the owners of the Denver Broncos. Read on to learn more about where McCaskey was ranked among the wealthiest National Football League team owners.

Virginia McCaskey was ranked 28 among the wealthiest NFL team owners

Virginia, the late matriarch of the McCaskey family, was ranked at 28 with her $1.3 billion net worth at the time of her death. In 2024, she was tied with Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Minnesota Vikings, who also had an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. However, Samuel Robson "Rob" Walton currently tops the list of wealthiest owners.

Helen and Sam Walton’s eldest son, Rob, is among Walmart's heirs. He led an ownership group in 2022 to buy the Denver Broncos and is currently the team's principal owner. According to Bloomberg, Rob Walton has an estimated net worth of $122 billion as of February 7, 2025, just behind his brother Jim, who has a net worth of $125 billion.

Virginia McCaskey was the longest-tenured owner in National Football League history

Virginia McCaskey was the eldest child of George Halas, who is attributed as the founder of the Chicago Bears and was nicknamed “Papa Bear.” When she was nine, McCaskey reportedly attended her first NFL game in 1932. McCaskey also had a brother named George "Mugs" Halas Jr., who also served as a president of the Bears.

Following Mugs’ death, Papa Bear chose Virginia as his successor. Ultimately, she inherited the team in 1983 after George Sr.’s death. Under her ownership, the Bears won Super Bowl XX in January 1986. Apart from Virginia, her children were also involved with the team, holding different executive positions.

She was the longest-tenured owner in the NFL after having served for 41 years. Late Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill previously held the record. In addition to that, Virginia McCaskey was also the oldest NFL team owner. Before Virginia, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson remained the oldest NFL owner until his demise at 95 in 2014.

After Virginia’s passing, many paid tribute to her, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Here’s what Goodell’s official statement reads:

“Virginia Halas McCaskey, the matriarch of the Chicago Bears and daughter of George Halas, the founder of the NFL, leaves a legacy of class, dignity, and humanity. Faith, family, and football -- in that order -- were her north stars and she lived by the simple adage to always 'do the right thing.'

It continues,

The Bears that her father started meant the world to her and he would be proud of the way she continued the family business with such dedication and passion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCaskey and Halas families and Bears fans around the world."

Others to pay respects included Walter Payton’s son and the sports anchor Jarrett Payton, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, reporter Adam Schefter, NFL insider Ari Meirov, and more. The NFL teams, like the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and many more, also sent their condolences from their official handles.

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