The Memphis Grizzlies is a professional basketball franchise competing in the NBA, based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team plays in the Western Conference’s Southwest Division and is headquartered in Memphis. Founded as the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, the franchise relocated to Memphis in 2001. The Grizzlies conduct their operations under the ownership umbrella of Memphis Basketball, LLC.
Ownership Status of Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are not privately held by a single individual in the sense of a wholly closed company. Instead, ownership is structured via Memphis Basketball, LLC, with Robert J. Pera serving as the Chairman and controlling owner. This means that while Pera holds decisive control, the ownership includes minority interests and is subject to the regulatory oversight of the NBA. Ownership proportions may shift through buy-outs, partner exits or other corporate actions.
Major Shareholder / Controlling Owner
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robert J. Pera (via Memphis Basketball, LLC) | Controlling owner & Chairman | Took control of the team in late 2012. |
Note: The remaining ownership interests are held by minority investors and partners in the LLC structure and are not always publicly broken down in full detail.
About the Owner– Robert J. Pera
Robert J. Pera (born March 10, 1978) is an American entrepreneur and engineer. He founded the technology company Ubiquiti Inc., which designs and manufactures wireless network and communications equipment. In October 2012, Pera was approved by the NBA Board of Governors to take control of the Memphis Grizzlies. Under his stewardship, the franchise has navigated competitive phases and ownership consolidation.
Robert J. Pera Net Worth
Estimates of Robert Pera’s net worth vary depending on source and timing:
- As of September 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at about US $24 billion.
- Other sources list figures around US $15–18 billion.
His wealth is closely tied to his majority ownership of Ubiquiti and the appreciation of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise value.
Key Shareholder Highlights
- Robert J. Pera became the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies in October 2012.
- In April 2018, Pera announced he would retain majority interest in the team after triggering a “buy-sell” clause to buy out minority partners, reinforcing his controlling status.
- Minority partners such as Steve Kaplan and Daniel E. Straus once held stakes but under that clause were required to either sell or force Pera to sell—Pera opted to buy them out.
Recent Developments in Ownership
There have been no publicly reported major shifts in the controlling ownership since Pera’s reaffirmation of majority control in 2018. However, the team’s valuation and potential future partner arrangements may evolve, though no new ownership transfer has been announced publicly.
Memphis Grizzlies Players
Here’s a table featuring the current team and selected key players of the Memphis Grizzlies (as of the 2025-26 season) pulled from the latest publicly available roster data.
| No. | Player Name | Position | Notes / Key Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Ja Morant | Guard | Star point guard, central to the team’s offence. |
| 13 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Forward / Center | Key big man, strong defender and rim-protector. |
| 7 | Santi Aldama | Forward / Center | Young forward, Spanish international, ascending in role. |
| 14 | Zach Edey | Center | Rookie big man, very tall (7’3”), promising presence. |
| 5 | Vince Williams Jr. | Guard | Emerging guard on the roster. |
| 10 | Javon Small | Guard | Draft pick from 2025, young talent. |
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Memphis Grizzlies?
The controlling owner is Robert J. Pera, through Memphis Basketball, LLC.
2. Is the Memphis Grizzlies publicly traded or privately owned?
The franchise is privately owned (not publicly traded). It is owned by a private LLC rather than a publicly traded company.
3. Who founded the Memphis Grizzlies?
The franchise originated as the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995. The Memphis iteration began when the team relocated to Memphis in 2001.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
No major change in controlling ownership has been publicly announced; Robert Pera has maintained majority and controlling interest since his purchase in 2012 and reaffirmed his status in 2018.