Stan Kroenke Becomes Largest Private Landowner in the U.S.

Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Rams and other major sports franchises, has become the largest private landowner in the United States following his recent acquisition of 937,000 acres of noncontiguous land in New Mexico. This purchase, confirmed by The Land Report, marks the largest single land transaction in the U.S. since 2011, bringing Kroenke's total land holdings to over 2.7 million acres across the American West and Canada. His portfolio includes approximately 60 million square feet of commercial space, notably sports venues in Inglewood, California, and Denver, where he also owns the teams that play there.

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Kroenke's recent acquisition was previously owned by the heirs of Henry Singleton, the founder of Teledyne. The Singleton Ranches had been a significant player in the land ownership landscape, but the sale has shifted the rankings dramatically. Before this transaction, Kroenke was already a prominent figure in land ownership, having purchased the 535,000-acre Waggoner Ranch in Texas in 2016, which is the largest contiguous ranch in the state. Other notable acquisitions include the 124,000-acre Broken O Ranch in Montana and the Winecup Gamble Ranch in Nevada.

Sports Business JournalNew York TimesThree Central Valley landowners rank among nation's 100 largest

The trend of billionaires acquiring vast amounts of land has been on the rise, with the average acreage held by the top 100 landowners increasing from 378,000 acres a decade ago to 430,000 acres today. This shift reflects a growing interest in land as a stable investment, with Eric O’Keefe, editor of The Land Report, noting that “capital is moving into American land for a variety of reasons,” including its potential for steady appreciation.

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While the acquisition of land by wealthy individuals like Kroenke is often viewed as a sound investment, it has raised concerns among critics about the implications for land use and local communities. The increasing concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few can lead to challenges in land management and accessibility for smaller farmers and local residents.

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There are no significant discrepancies reported in the details of Kroenke's land acquisition; however, the broader implications of such large-scale land ownership remain a topic of debate. The Land Report's rankings indicate a clear shift in land ownership dynamics, but the long-term effects on local economies and agricultural practices are yet to be fully understood.

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• “Capital is moving into American land for a variety of reasons,” — Eric O’Keefe, Editor, The Land Report

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• “I was going to be a passive investor, but I liked the opportunity — and the business — so I built it up,” — Stewart Resnick, Co-owner, The Wonderful Company

Three Central Valley landowners rank among nation's 100 largest

Kroenke's ascension to the top of the land ownership rankings underscores a significant trend in the U.S. economy, where land is increasingly viewed as a valuable asset by the ultra-wealthy.

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