Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown may not be the wealthiest NFL owner, but his legacy in football is undeniable. Mike inherited the Bengals from his father, Paul Brown, a legendary figure in Ohio football history.
Paul, who co-founded the Cleveland Browns and the Bengals, was a trailblazer in the NFL. After Paul’s passing in 1991, Mike took over as owner and team president, keeping the franchise in the family.
Despite financial challenges, Brown has overseen the Bengals’ resurgence, including their Super Bowl appearance. Let’s take a look at Brown’s net worth.
What Is Mike Brown’s Net Worth?
Cincinnati’s owner’s net worth has grown steadily over the years, reflecting both the team’s value and his financial acumen. In 2015, Brown’s net worth was estimated at $925 million.
According to Forbes, the Bengals are valued at $3.5 billion and rank 31st among NFL teams. They also put Brown’s personal net worth at $2.275 billion. Brown, a Dartmouth and Harvard Law School graduate, has been the team’s general manager since taking over in 1991.
Brown found unconventional ways to boost wealth and secure his family’s financial success. In 2000, he delivered the Bengals a new venue, Paul Brown Stadium (now Paycor Stadium), a $455 million expenditure primarily funded by taxpayers.
From 1994 to 2000, the Brown family collected over $50 million in salaries and dividends while maintaining one of the NFL’s lowest payrolls for coaches and staff.
The Bengals owner also increased the family’s stake in the Bengals to 97% through strategic buyouts. Despite criticism for not maximizing revenue streams — like initially refusing to sell naming rights to the stadium — Brown’s strong-handed approach has kept the family financially strong.
His management philosophy relies on a lean front office, with just eight staff members in the personnel department, the smallest in the NFL.
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Brown has focused on the family, too, with his daughter Katie Blackburn and son-in-law Troy Blackburn holding key executive positions.
While the Bengals may not boast the financial clout of other NFL franchises, under Brown, the team has maintained stability, and his personal fortune continues to grow alongside it.
Cincinnati Bengals’ History Under the Brown Family
Bengals history is deeply intertwined with the Brown family, starting with the legendary Paul Brown. An NFL coach himself, Brown’s journey began in Ohio, where he led high school teams to a 96-9-3 record and won a national championship with Ohio State in 1941.
After establishing the Cleveland Browns as an NFL powerhouse with three championships in the 1950s, Brown was controversially fired by owner Art Modell in 1963. Refusing to retire quietly, Paul, alongside his son Mike, founded the Cincinnati Bengals in 1967.
Backed by local investors, the Brown family paid $7.5 million for an AFL expansion franchise that would later merge into the NFL. Brown held only a 10% stake but maintained control as head coach, general manager, and voting trustee.
The Bengals made the postseason three times between 1970 and 1975 and reached the Super Bowl twice during Paul’s tenure as general manager. The Bengals have posted a 205-298-4 record from 1991 to 2023 since the junior Brown took over ownership.