In a defining moment at the intersection of wealth, strategy, and long-term asset stewardship, Stan Kroenke—billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams—has secured yet another distinction that reshapes the national landscape. According to the newly released Land Report, Kroenke is now officially the largest private landowner in the United States, a milestone that underscores the growing convergence between elite capital allocation and tangible, inflation-resistant assets.
With an estimated 2.7 million acres under his control, Kroenke’s land portfolio now surpasses the size of Yellowstone National Park, equating to nearly two million football fields. This unprecedented scale places him at the apex of American private landownership, reinforcing his reputation as a disciplined investor with a long-term vision that extends far beyond traditional financial markets.
This ascent was accelerated by a landmark acquisition finalized in December: nearly one million acres of prime New Mexico ranchland purchased from the Singleton family, heirs to the late industrial titan Henry Singleton, founder of Teledyne. As reported by The Land Report, the transaction—encompassing the storied Singleton Ranches—represents the largest single land purchase in the United States in more than a decade. Established in the 1980s, the ranches evolved into one of the nation’s most significant cattle and horse-breeding operations, making the deal both historically notable and strategically sound.
As a result, Kroenke vaulted from fourth place to first in The Land Report’s annual ranking of the 100 largest private landowners, surpassing the Emmerson family of Sierra Pacific Industries, as well as media and telecommunications magnates John Malone and Ted Turner. The move not only reflects Kroenke’s financial capacity, but also his ability to identify rare, generational assets as they come to market.
Notably, many of America’s largest landowners operate outside the public spotlight. The Emmerson family, now ranked second, controls approximately 2.44 million acres through its forest-products enterprise. Meanwhile, despite selling the New Mexico properties, the Singleton family remains on the list at 98th place, retaining an estimated 171,000 acres—evidence of the enduring legacy tied to large-scale land ownership.
Beyond prestige, Kroenke’s expansion highlights a broader investment trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals. U.S. farmland and ranchland have increasingly emerged as preferred hedges against inflation, market volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmland values increased at an average annual rate of 5.8% between 2019 and 2024, delivering real returns of approximately 2% after inflation.
This shift has attracted some of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs. Bill Gates, ranked 44th overall with 275,000 acres, remains the largest private owner of U.S. farmland, with holdings managed through Cascade Investment. These assets support large-scale production of soybeans, corn, cotton, rice, and even potatoes used in McDonald’s global supply chain. Similarly, online brokerage founder Thomas Peterffy and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos control approximately 647,000 acres and 462,000 acres, respectively.
What distinguishes Kroenke, however, is the speed and scale of his consolidation. By acquiring expansive ranches that have remained in family hands for generations, he has capitalized on a rare market dynamic. One of his most notable purchases, the historic Waggoner Ranch in North Texas, was acquired in 2016 for $725 million, ending more than 160 years of continuous family ownership. While such legacy properties are scarce, demographic shifts and succession challenges are prompting more heirs to sell rather than sustain multigenerational operations.
Taken together, Kroenke’s rise as America’s largest private landowner is more than a headline—it is a case study in modern wealth strategy. It reflects how today’s billionaires are redefining value, prioritizing scale, resilience, and real assets in an era marked by economic uncertainty. As land once again proves its timeless appeal, Kroenke’s expanding footprint may well signal where elite capital is headed next.
