David Rubenstein explores sports ownership in new book

In his upcoming book, ‘Inside the Owner’s Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports’, David Rubenstein explores the complexities of owning professional sports franchises through interviews with fourteen different owners.

Rubenstein, who owns the Baltimore Orioles, recounts a near-collapse of his $1.7 billion acquisition of the team after an insulting Zoom call during negotiations. The book details the personal and professional pressures faced by billionaire owners, including public criticism from fans and the scrutiny of high-stakes decision-making.

Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai discusses the consequences of major roster moves, specifically the January 2021 trade that acquired James Harden. Tsai acknowledges that the decision, which cost significant players and draft assets, remains a point of contention among fans on social media.