What NFL Teams Are Still Owned By Original Families?

Clemmie Gaylord

27 Jul, 2025

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Have you ever stopped to think about the deep roots some NFL teams have, especially when it comes to who calls the shots? It's a really interesting part of the league's long story, and so, you might be wondering, which NFL teams are still owned by original families? This question, it's almost, gets at the very heart of tradition in a sport that's become a massive business.

For many sports enthusiasts, there's a certain comfort in knowing that some things stay the same, even as the world changes around them. The NFL, with its huge fan base, including the millions who gather in communities like the NFL subreddit to discuss everything from the latest team news to player highlights, really showcases this blend of old and new. It's a place where, you know, discussions about rosters and official team structures are quite common, and people often look back at the origins of their favorite clubs.

In a league where team values soar into the billions, and ownership changes are, basically, pretty frequent, the idea of a family holding onto a franchise for generations feels almost like a relic. Yet, a handful of teams have managed to keep that familial connection, passing the torch from one generation to the next. It's a testament, in a way, to their dedication and, perhaps, a bit of good fortune, too.

The Lasting Legacies of NFL Ownership
Why Family Ownership Is Rare Today
The Community Model: A Unique Case
People Also Ask About NFL Team Ownership

The Lasting Legacies of NFL Ownership

When we talk about NFL teams still under the care of their founding families, we're really talking about a unique piece of sports history. It's a story of commitment, a bit of luck, and, you know, a lot of passion. These families have guided their teams through countless seasons, championships, and, well, some tough times too. It's a pretty big deal in the grand scheme of things, considering how much the league has grown and changed over the decades.

The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Rooney Family

The Pittsburgh Steelers are, without a doubt, a prime example of enduring family ownership in the NFL. The Rooney family has been at the helm since the team's very start in 1933. Art Rooney Sr., often called "The Chief," founded the team, then known as the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was, honestly, a true pioneer of the game. His vision and steady hand shaped the franchise through its early, sometimes difficult, years. The Steelers, as a matter of fact, really struggled for a long time before finding consistent success.

After Art Sr. passed, his son, Dan Rooney, took over the main responsibilities. Dan, it's fair to say, was just as influential, if not more so, in building the Steelers into the powerhouse they became. He oversaw the team's incredible run of Super Bowl victories in the 1970s and, you know, continued to guide them to more championships in later decades. The Steelers subreddit, for instance, is absolutely buzzing with discussions about the team's rich history, and the Rooney name comes up quite often, as you might expect.

Today, the team is largely managed by Art Rooney II, Dan's son, continuing a tradition that spans three generations. This continuity, in a way, is often credited with fostering the team's stable culture and its strong connection with the city of Pittsburgh. It's pretty rare to see such a long-standing, single-family connection in professional sports these days, which makes the Steelers' situation quite special, you know.

The Chicago Bears: The Halas-McCaskey Family

Another truly iconic example of original family ownership is the Chicago Bears, guided by the Halas-McCaskey family. George Halas, known affectionately as "Papa Bear," was not only the team's founder but also a player, coach, and owner. He bought the Decatur Staleys in 1920 for a mere $100, moved them to Chicago, and renamed them the Bears. He was, basically, instrumental in the very formation of the NFL itself, which is a pretty big deal.

Halas was a giant of the sport, literally helping to write many of the rules and shaping the league in its early days. His influence on the Bears, and on professional football, is just immense. After his passing in 1983, his daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey, took over as the principal owner. She has, basically, held that position ever since, making her the longest-tenured owner in the NFL, which is quite a feat.

The day-to-day operations are handled by her son, George McCaskey, who serves as the team's chairman. The family's commitment to the Bears is, you know, very deep, and they've navigated many ups and downs, including that famous Super Bowl XX victory. For fans, like those on the Caleb Williams Chicago Bears message board, there's a clear connection to this historical lineage, even when discussions get a little heated about team performance, as they sometimes do.

The New York Giants: The Mara Family

The New York Giants also boast a long history of family ownership, primarily through the Mara family. Timothy Mara, a bookmaker, purchased the Giants for $500 in 1925, making them one of the NFL's oldest franchises. He was, you know, a key figure in the league's early development, helping to establish its credibility and popularity in a major market. The Giants quickly became a cornerstone of the burgeoning professional football landscape.

Upon Timothy's death, his sons, Jack and Wellington Mara, inherited the team. Wellington, in particular, became a legendary figure in NFL ownership. He was, quite honestly, a quiet but powerful force, known for his integrity and his deep love for the game. He co-owned the team with the Tisch family (who bought a 50% share from the Mara family in 1991, but the Mara family remains a founding and significant owner), but the Mara family's original connection and influence have always been prominent.

Today, John Mara, Wellington's son, is the team's president and CEO, continuing the family's direct involvement in the team's operations. This multi-generational leadership has, in a way, provided a consistent identity for the Giants, guiding them through numerous championship seasons and, you know, maintaining their status as one of the league's most storied franchises. It's a pretty unique situation, really, to have that kind of long-term family presence.

The Arizona Cardinals: The Bidwill Family

The Arizona Cardinals, despite their many moves over the years, also remain under the ownership of their founding family, the Bidwills. Charles Bidwill Sr. purchased the then-Chicago Cardinals in 1933, the same year the Steelers were founded. He was, you know, a prominent figure in Chicago sports and was determined to make the Cardinals a successful franchise, even though they shared a city with the more established Bears.

The team moved to St. Louis in 1960 and then to Arizona in 1988, but the Bidwill family has remained constant throughout these relocations. After Charles Sr.'s death, his sons, Charles "Stormy" Bidwill Jr. and Bill Bidwill, took over. Bill Bidwill, in particular, was the long-time owner, guiding the team through its move to Arizona and its efforts to build a fan base in a new market. He was, basically, very dedicated to the team, even through some lean years.

Today, Michael Bidwill, Bill's son, serves as the team's owner and president. The Bidwill family's ownership of the Cardinals is, arguably, one of the longest continuous family ownerships in American professional sports, regardless of the team's geographical changes. It's a pretty remarkable run, showing a deep commitment to the franchise, you know, through thick and thin.

Why Family Ownership Is Rare Today

It's, honestly, pretty uncommon to find NFL teams still owned by their original families in this modern era. Most professional sports franchises, especially in a league as profitable as the NFL, have seen ownership change hands multiple times. This is, you know, due to several factors that make long-term family ownership quite challenging.

For one thing, the sheer value of these teams has skyrocketed. An NFL team is, basically, a multi-billion dollar asset. When a family member passes away, inheritance taxes can be absolutely enormous, forcing families to sell off parts or even all of the team to cover the costs. This is, in some respects, a very practical consideration that often leads to changes in ownership.

Also, running a professional sports franchise today is a hugely complex business. It requires, you know, massive capital investments, sophisticated business operations, and a constant eye on everything from player contracts to stadium deals. Not every family member, naturally, has the interest, the capital, or the business acumen to take on such a demanding role. Sometimes, new ownership groups with different resources and business models come in, offering, basically, a fresh approach.

The desire for new opportunities, too, can play a part. While some families are deeply committed to their team's legacy, others might see the sale of a franchise as a way to diversify their investments or, you know, simply move on to other ventures. The current landscape of sports betting picks, sportsbook promos, and the overall commercialization of the league means there's a lot of money swirling around, making these teams very attractive investments for, you know, various entities.

The Community Model: A Unique Case

While not a family ownership in the traditional sense, the Green Bay Packers deserve a special mention when discussing unique ownership structures in the NFL. They are, quite honestly, the only major professional sports team in the United States owned by its fans and community members. This is, obviously, very different from a single family or a corporate entity owning the team.

The Packers are a publicly owned, non-profit corporation. Shares of stock are sold to the public, but these shares don't pay dividends and can't be traded on the open market. They're, basically, more about bragging rights and supporting the team than about financial return. This model, in a way, ensures the team remains tied to its small-town roots, and, you know, it's pretty beloved by fans because of it.

This community ownership model stands in stark contrast to the family-owned teams, but it shares a similar spirit of deep, long-standing connection to its origins. It shows that there are, actually, different ways to maintain a team's identity and legacy outside of the typical private ownership structures we see in most of the league.