The Arizona Diamondbacks are a privately owned professional Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the National League (NL) West Division and plays its home games at Chase Field.
Founded in 1998 as an MLB expansion team, the Diamondbacks quickly became competitive and won their first World Series title in 2001. The franchise is known for its strong fan base, modern ballpark, and player development system.
As of 2025, the Arizona Diamondbacks are led by Derrick Hall, who serves as President & CEO, overseeing day-to-day business operations.
Ownership Status of Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks do not have a single individual owner. Instead, the team is privately owned by an ownership group, with Ken Kendrick serving as the Managing General Partner and Principal Owner.
Unlike publicly traded companies, MLB teams are held by private investors. Ownership stakes are not publicly traded, and control remains within a small group approved by Major League Baseball.
Major Owners & Partners
| Owner / Entity | Ownership Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Kendrick | Managing General Partner & Principal Owner | Controls the largest stake; represents the team at MLB owners’ meetings |
| Mike Chipman | General Partner | Long-time minority owner |
| Jeff Royer | General Partner | Part of ownership group since early years |
| Dale Jensen | Partner | Minority ownership interest |
Note: Exact ownership percentages are not publicly disclosed, which is standard for privately owned MLB franchises.
About Ken Kendrick
Ken Kendrick is an American businessman and billionaire who serves as the managing general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, acting as the team’s top executive in matters of ownership and league representation. He has been part of the team’s ownership since its founding in 1995 and became the lead owner in 2004.
Background & Business Career
- Kendrick was born in Princeton, West Virginia and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University.
- He began his career with IBM before co-founding Datatel, Inc., a software company serving educational institutions. Datatel later merged with SunGard Higher Education to form Ellucian, a major technology provider in the education sector.
- In addition to his work in software, Kendrick has invested in banking and other ventures, including Woodforest National Bank.
Role with Diamondbacks
As managing general partner, Kendrick:
- Oversees day-to-day ownership responsibilities and long-term strategic direction.
- Represents the Diamondbacks among MLB owners.
- Has guided ownership through financial restructuring and team development.
Ken Kendrick Net Worth
Ken Kendrick is not only the principal owner and managing general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks but also a billionaire businessman. As of 2025, his **estimated net worth is approximately $1.2 billion, according to Forbes and multiple financial sources. Kendrick built much of his wealth through his successful career prior to baseball ownership, including founding the software company Datatel, Inc., and investing in banking and other ventures. His diversified portfolio and long-term investments have helped him become one of the more financially prominent figures among MLB team owners.
Key Ownership Highlights
The Diamondbacks’ ownership structure is centered around Ken Kendrick, who has been involved with the franchise since before its first season.
- Ken Kendrick became the Managing General Partner in 2004, after original lead owner Jerry Colangelo sold his controlling interest.
- Kendrick serves as the final decision-maker on ownership matters, finances, and long-term strategy.
- The remaining partners hold minority stakes and do not manage daily operations.
This structure gives the team stable leadership while keeping ownership concentrated among a small group.
Recent Developments in Ownership
As of 2025, there have been no changes in controlling ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Ken Kendrick continues as principal owner.
- The franchise has occasionally explored selling minority stakes, but no transfer of controlling interest has occurred.
- Ownership remains fully private, with MLB approval required for any future changes.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks?
The team is owned by a private ownership group led by Ken Kendrick, who serves as Managing General Partner and principal owner.
2. Is the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise publicly traded?
No. The Diamondbacks are privately owned and are not listed on any stock exchange.
3. Who founded the Arizona Diamondbacks?
The franchise was awarded in 1995 and officially began play in 1998 under founding managing partner Jerry Colangelo.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
No major ownership changes have occurred. Ownership remains stable under Ken Kendrick as of 2025.