Justin Birnbaum is a New York City-based staff writer who covers the business of sports. He’s profiled billionaire team owners Toto Wolff and Jorge Mas, reported on how big sneaker brands are capitalizing on surging women’s basketball popularity, and edited tentpole lists such as The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes and the sports category of 30 Under 30 North America. Prior to joining Forbes in 2020, he contributed to CNBC, The Hockey News and Narratively, and obtained his master’s degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Follow Birnbaum for continued coverage across all aspects of the $500 billion sports industry.
Toto Wolff’s Winning Formula
Forbes Staff
The hard-driving billionaire built Mercedes’ F1 team into an auto racing dynasty. Their championship days may be in the rear-view mirror, but he is more successful than ever.
The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025
Forbes ranks the highest-paid footballers in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Here are the top soccer player salaries and endorsement deals.
The Highest-Paid Golfers At The 2025 Ryder Cup
Forbes' list of the Ryder Cup's highest-paid golfers features Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and three other players earning big money on and off the course.
The Savannah Bananas, Baseball’s Zaniest Team, Are Now Worth Half A Billion Dollars
The barnstorming organization is generating more than $100 million in revenue—but owner Jesse Cole is more concerned with chasing a billion fans than a billion-dollar valuation.
America’s Richest Sports Team Owners 2025
The top 20 owners on The Forbes 400 are worth $607 billion, up 20% from 2024. And with the cutoff rising to $10.1 billion, the club is more exclusive than ever.
Meet The New Billionaire Owners Of The Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay’s daughters have inherited an NFL team that has been in their family for 53 years and is now worth $5.9 billion—making them among the richest female owners in sports.