Walton heir buys stake in Chicago Bulls and United Center
Updated: 11:12 AM CDT Jul 1, 2026
One of Walmart founder Sam Walton’s grandsons and his wife have purchased part of the Chicago Bulls NBA franchise.Lukas and Samantha Walton acquired a minority interest in both the Bulls and the United Center, according to a news release from the NBA.The Reinsdorf family will continue to have the controlling interest in the Bulls.Lukas Walton is the 40th wealthiest person in the world, according to Forbes. He is worth $48.9 billion.Walton owns stakes in Walmart and Arvest Bank. Forbes lists his self-made score as 1 out of 10 and his philanthropy score as 2 out of 5.Walton sports empireLukas is only the latest Walton to purchase all or part of a sports team.Walton-Penner GroupRob Walton, a son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, bought the Broncos in 2022.Greg Penner, Walmart Chairman of the Board and Carrie’s husband, is the Broncos CEO.Ann Walton KroenkeAnn Walton is a daughter of Walmart co-founder Bud Walton.Her husband, Stan Kroenke, transferred ownership of the Nuggets & Avalanche to her in 2015.Stan KroenkeStan Kroenke is Ann’s husband. He made his initial fortune developing shopping centers anchored by Walmarts.He owns the LA Rams, Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams, the Colorado Rapids, and the Major Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth.Lukas WaltonLukas Walton is a grandson of Sam Walton. He owns stakes in Walmart and Arvest Bank. In 2026 he and his wife, Samantha, purchased a minority interest in the Chicago Bulls and the United Center.Marc LoreMarc Lore teamed up with Alex Rodriguez to buy the Timberwolves and Lynx in 2025. He was Walmart’s eCommerce CEO from 2016 to 2021. He founded Jet.com, which Walmart bought for $3.3 billion.David GlassDavid Glass was a Walmart exec for decades, serving as CEO from 1988 to 2000 and stayed a member of the board until he died in 2020.He became CEO of the Royals in 1993 and bought the team in 2000. He sold it in 2019, months before his death.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. —
One of Walmart founder Sam Walton’s grandsons and his wife have purchased part of the Chicago Bulls NBA franchise.
Lukas and Samantha Walton acquired a minority interest in both the Bulls and the United Center, according to a news release from the NBA.
The Reinsdorf family will continue to have the controlling interest in the Bulls.
Lukas Walton is the 40th wealthiest person in the world, according to Forbes. He is worth $48.9 billion.
Walton owns stakes in Walmart and Arvest Bank. Forbes lists his self-made score as 1 out of 10 and his philanthropy score as 2 out of 5.
Walton sports empire
Lukas is only the latest Walton to purchase all or part of a sports team.
Walton-Penner Group
Greg Penner, Walmart Chairman of the Board and Carrie’s husband, is the Broncos CEO.
Ann Walton Kroenke
Ann Walton is a daughter of Walmart co-founder Bud Walton.
Her husband, Stan Kroenke, transferred ownership of the Nuggets & Avalanche to her in 2015.
Stan Kroenke
Stan Kroenke is Ann’s husband. He made his initial fortune developing shopping centers anchored by Walmarts.
Lukas Walton
Lukas Walton is a grandson of Sam Walton. He owns stakes in Walmart and Arvest Bank. In 2026 he and his wife, Samantha, purchased a minority interest in the Chicago Bulls and the United Center.
Marc Lore
Marc Lore teamed up with Alex Rodriguez to buy the Timberwolves and Lynx in 2025. He was Walmart’s eCommerce CEO from 2016 to 2021. He founded Jet.com, which Walmart bought for $3.3 billion.
David Glass
He became CEO of the Royals in 1993 and bought the team in 2000. He sold it in 2019, months before his death.