Musk Would Need Owner Approval to Buy Team

Two former sports executives say any bid by Elon Musk for a team would require sign-off from other league owners.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Baseball

Musk Would Need Owner Approval to Buy Team

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Should billionaires be allowed to buy major sports teams?

Former sports executives David Samson and John Skipper said Elon Musk would need approval from other team owners to buy a sports team. Musk has not bought a team, and the discussion was held on the podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out.

Why it matters

League ownership rules give existing owners a veto over new buyers, which constrains even wealthy outside investors. The discussion comes as Musk's political spending draws attention to how far his influence can reach.

MLB requires 23 of its 30 owners to approve a new owner, a 75 percent threshold that the NFL and NBA also use. Skipper suggested a hypothetical $25 billion offer, while noting the entire league could be worth a couple hundred billion dollars.

The players

Elon Musk

Tesla and SpaceX founder whose political donations and business ventures have made him a prominent figure in American public life.

David Samson

Former Miami Marlins president who has since become a sports business commentator.

John Skipper

Former ESPN president who has worked in sports media leadership roles.

The details

Musk gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which used the money for pro-Paxton ads in the Texas Senate race. The podcast guests discussed whether his wealth could realistically translate into league ownership despite the approval hurdles.

Tuesday: The Texas Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is scheduled to be decided.

Roadmap

Professional sports leagues in the United States, including MLB, the NFL, and the NBA, all require roughly three-quarters of existing owners to approve a new buyer. That structure gives incumbent owners significant control over who joins the league, regardless of how much money a prospective owner can offer.

Any future sale of a team would depend on a supermajority vote of existing owners rather than the buyer's financial strength alone. Fans would see ownership changes only after that approval process is complete.

The takeaway

Wealth alone does not guarantee entry into professional sports ownership, since existing owners must approve each new buyer. Readers following league business should watch how those supermajority rules shape future sales.