Robert Pera owns the Memphis Grizzlies. He's been the majority owner since 2012, transforming the team from a struggling franchise into a consistent NBA playoff contender.

Ownership Background

Robert Pera, a tech billionaire and founder of Ubiquiti Networks, bought the Grizzlies for around $350 million from previous owner Michael Heisley. At the time, Pera was just 34 and became the youngest controlling owner in NBA history, a record later topped by others like Mat Ishbia of the Suns. His leadership brought immediate success: the team hit 56 regular-season wins in his first year—a franchise record—and reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time.

Pera originally partnered with minority investors like Steve Kaplan and Daniel Straus, who held about 30% combined, but he bought them out after a 2017 buy- sell clause dispute, securing full control while vowing to keep the team in Memphis. As of January 2026, Forbes lists his net worth at $26.5 billion, fueled by his 93% stake in Ubiquiti, which posted $2.6 billion in revenue last fiscal year.

Recent Developments

In late January 2026, reports surfaced of tension: Pera reportedly got furious and threatened to buy out minority owners again after a personal incident involving a woman he met out with one of them, per journalist Alex Torre. No sale materialized, and Pera remains firmly in charge as the Grizzlies reboot around a young core post-Ja Morant era. He's emphasized commitment to Memphis, turning a city once doubted as an NBA market into a hoops hotbed.

Forum Buzz and Trending Talk

NBA fans on Reddit speculate wildly about Pera's iron grip—one thread joked about r/NBA collectively buying a 0.5% stake to "keep Ja straight." Another recent post highlighted his reported rage over the minority owner drama, sparking debates on ownership stability. Older discussions tie Grizzlies' Memphis roots to deep basketball culture and FedEx sponsorships, underscoring why Pera fought to stay local.

Aspect| Details
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Purchase Year| 20123
Net Worth (2026)| $26.5B1
Key Partners (Past)| Kaplan, Straus (bought out)1
Team Achievements| Playoffs in first 5 years; 56-win record1
Recent News| Ownership tension rumors (Jan 2026)7

TL;DR: Robert Pera is the controlling owner of the Memphis Grizzlies since 2012, with no changes as of January 2026 despite fresh rumors of internal friction.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.