Mark Attanasio’s Takeover and Wealth Compared to EFL Rivals
American businessman Mark Attanasio assumed control of Norwich City in August 2022, aiming to guide the club back to the Premier League. Having spent much of his career in sports ownership, he first became the owner of MLB franchise Milwaukee Brewers over two decades ago.
Following a successful tenure in baseball, Attanasio turned his attention to English football, acquiring a minority stake in the Norfolk-based club in 2022. By April 2024, he had increased his shareholding to 40%, making him a joint-majority shareholder alongside Delia Smith. Later that year, Smith sold her stake, leaving Attanasio as the sole majority owner of the East Anglian club.
But just how wealthy is Norwich’s new owner, and how does his fortune compare to the rest of the English Football League?
Mark Attanasio’s Net Worth
Attanasio’s financial journey began after graduating from Columbia Law School in 1982. In 1991, he co-founded Crescent Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based alternative investment firm. Four years later, he sold the company to Trust Company of the West (TCW) and remained a senior executive. His biggest financial breakthrough came in 2001 when Société Générale acquired TCW for approximately $1.3 billion.
In September 2004, Attanasio fulfilled a childhood dream by purchasing the Milwaukee Brewers for a reported $200 million. Over the next two decades, he secured eight titles with the team before expanding into football with Norwich City. His current net worth is estimated at around $700 million.
How Attanasio’s Wealth Stacks Up in the EFL
In recent years, English football has attracted numerous wealthy foreign investors, leading to clubs gaining significant financial backing. However, having a high net worth doesn’t necessarily translate to heavy investment, as seen with Reading’s Dai Yongge, who has been criticized for failing to support his club.
Queens Park Rangers reportedly have the wealthiest owners in the EFL, with a combined net worth of £15 billion, followed by Leeds United, Stoke City, Bristol City, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, and Portsmouth—all with owners worth over $1 billion.
Among Championship owners who aren’t billionaires, Attanasio ranks second, just behind Cardiff City’s Vincent Tan, who is worth $30 million more. This places him as the 10th-richest owner in the second tier.
In League One, five clubs—Birmingham City, Barnsley, Wycombe Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, and Reading—have wealthier owners than Norwich. All except Reading have billionaire owners, making Attanasio the 15th-richest owner across all 72 EFL clubs.
