Billionaires have never been richer, and they’re putting their money to work—buying sports teams, funding philanthropic causes, and building even bigger platforms for influence.
The number of billionaires in the world hit an all-time high of 3,795 individuals in 2025, according to new data from wealth-intelligence firm Altrata.
Their collective fortune soared by 12.8% to a record $15.1 trillion, nearly a quarter of the collective market capitalization of the S&P 500. We even have 29 “superbillionaires” boasting fortunes over $50 billion. And largely, they have AI to thank; the report found that AI investments were the primary driver of billionaire wealth generation.
Many superbillionaires like Google’s Larry Page, Tesla’s Elon Musk, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos keep getting richer through the AI investment boom. And aside from owning private jets and towering mansions, billionaires’ two favorite hobbies are buying stakes in professional sports leagues and pouring money into philanthropy.
“Sport has long been the most popular interest/passion of the global billionaire class,” the report notes. “This reflects its broad appeal as an active leisure pursuit, for social entertainment and competition, and for the purposes of investment and ownership prestige.”
Take Bezos, the third richest person in the world with $282 billion to his name, as one example. Earlier this week, the Amazon founder bought up nearly 40% of Premier League team Liverpool FC alongside his consortium; he’s also donated billions through his Bezos Earth Fund to fight climate change and protect nature.
Others, like former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and billionaire businessman Robert Kraft, also spend their fortunes across the two. Altrata estimates that right now, around 201 billionaires—just over 5%—own a stake in a sports team or franchise.
The report says that “owning a high-profile sports team can be a statement of wealth and a prominent channel through which to connect with influential business, political and social networks.”
Billionaires are pouring billions into sports because it’s a ‘trophy asset’
Over the last decade, billionaires have grown their wealth holdings of “passion assets” like superyachts, luxury watches, art collections, and sports teams by 13.3% every year.
Aside from being a financial investment, Altrata says that the ultra-rich are looking to “signal their wealth and social status, preserve family heritage, or provide access to rare and culturally important items.” Sports ownership has become the “trophy asset.”
Billionaires are buying up big stakes in America’s NFL and NBA teams, while also looking abroad—especially the U.K. Premier League.
Oil and gas magnate Jerry Jones acquired the Dallas Cowboys football team in 1989, Kraft joined the NFL ownership club soon after, purchasing the New England Patriots in 1994. In the decades since, others have followed suit; Ballmer also bought the L.A. Clippers in 1994; real estate mogul Malcolm Glazer went all-in on Manchester United FC in 2005; and most recently, Bezos bought a stake in Liverpool FC.
Whether they’re looking to live out their Ted Lasso dreams or pump money into their favorite teams, it’s also become a strategic portfolio focus. Sports leagues are attracting investors with deep pockets thanks to the expansion of sports media rights, streaming platforms, betting services, and sponsorship revenue, Altrata says. Beyond the “trophy asset,” philanthropy is another popular way billionaires can deploy their fortunes for influence and impact.
Aside from buying an NBA team, Ballmer has devoted a chunk of his fortune to philanthropy.
The billionaire and his wife Connie have donated more than $8 billion over the past two decades in supporting economic mobility for American children and families living in poverty. And New England Patriots owner Kraft has donated over $1 billion to causes including healthcare, prison reform, and combating antisemitism.
Billionaire Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has poured hundreds of millions into revitalizing downtown Detroit, including a push to eliminate property tax debt for low-income homeowners in Detroit.
The post There are a record 3,795 billionaires in the world right now—and just like Jeff Bezos, their favorite investments are sports and philanthropy appeared first on Fortune.
