Billionaire Sports Tycoon Becomes America’s Largest Landowner After Massive Purchase

Billionaire media and sports tycoon John Malone has become the largest private landowner in the United States following a new, massive land acquisition that further expands his already vast real-estate footprint.

The latest purchase adds tens of thousands of acres to Malone’s holdings, which span multiple states and include ranches, forests, and undeveloped land. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal reinforces a long-running trend: ultra-wealthy individuals increasingly viewing land as a strategic, long-term asset.

Malone, often described as a low-profile billionaire, has steadily accumulated land for decades. His properties are largely used for conservation, ranching, and investment purposes rather than commercial development. Supporters argue that such ownership can help preserve open spaces, while critics warn that concentrated land control raises questions about access, influence, and local impact.

The acquisition places Malone ahead of other major private landowners, underscoring how land — once seen primarily as a regional concern — is becoming a national issue tied to wealth concentration, environmental stewardship, and economic power.

Analysts note that large-scale land purchases by private individuals can affect everything from housing pressures to agricultural practices, even if the land itself remains undeveloped. As land values rise and availability shrinks, who controls America’s open spaces is drawing renewed attention.

For now, the milestone is clear: with this latest deal, one individual holds more American land than any other private owner — a quiet but consequential shift in the country’s ownership landscape.