Greg Penner is the Owner and CEO of the Denver Broncos, having taken over the controlling-owner designation from his father-in-law Rob Walton as the Walton-Penner group settles into its role running one of the NFL’s flagship franchises.
I’ve followed this ownership group closely since the 2022 sale, and what stands out is how methodically they’ve built out both the football operation and a broader sports portfolio in Colorado.
Quick Facts
| Team | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|
| Owner & CEO | Greg Penner |
| Co-Owner | Carrie Walton Penner |
| Ownership Group | Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group |
| Founded | 1960 |
| League | NFL (AFC West) |
| Purchase Price | $4.65 billion (2022, an NFL record at the time) |
| Home | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Founded as a charter member of the American Football League |
| 1984 | Pat Bowlen acquires the team, ushering in more than three decades of stability and multiple Super Bowl titles |
| 2019 | Pat Bowlen dies; team placed in a trust amid a family succession dispute |
| 2022 | Walton-Penner group — led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, daughter Carrie Walton Penner, and son-in-law Greg Penner — buys the team for $4.65 billion, approved unanimously by NFL owners |
| 2024 | Greg Penner formally becomes controlling Owner & CEO, with Rob Walton transitioning to a senior ownership role |
| 2026 | Penner Sports Group takes a roughly 40% minority stake in MLB’s Colorado Rockies, expanding the family’s Denver sports footprint |
Key Ownership Highlights
- The $4.65 billion purchase price was an NFL record when the deal closed in 2022, since surpassed by the Commanders and the pending Seahawks sale.
- Greg Penner previously chaired Walmart’s board, giving him deep experience running a large, publicly scrutinized organization before taking the Broncos’ top job.
- The ownership group has expanded well beyond football, taking a significant stake in the Colorado Rockies in early 2026.
- Denver reached the AFC’s top seed heading into the 2026 playoffs, its best position in a decade under the new ownership.
FAQ
Who is the controlling owner of the Broncos?
Greg Penner holds the controlling Owner & CEO designation, having transitioned into that role from Rob Walton, who led the original 2022 purchase.
How much did the Walton-Penner group pay for the Broncos?
$4.65 billion, an NFL record at the time of the 2022 sale.
Does the same family own other sports teams?
Yes. In 2026, the Penner Sports Group acquired a roughly 40% minority stake in the Colorado Rockies, adding MLB to the family’s sports holdings alongside the Broncos.
Related Reading
For the full league structure and how the NFL’s 32 franchises fit together, see our overview of NFL ownership.