Denver Broncos Owners Hands Down Best In NFL And Here’s Why

Fans of the Denver Broncos have been lucky since the early 80s, when then Canadian businessman Pat Bowlen purchased the team. In the Bowlen era, he spared no expense and made no excuses to WIN. Seven Super Bowl appearances with three championships, lon tenured, franchise players, a new stadium and never back to back losing seasons... the Bowlen era was a fun time for Broncos fans.

That all changed after Super Bowl 50. Peyton Manning retired, Mr. B passed away a few years later and the team spiraled into losing season after losing season, as ownership was held by a trust with his surviving family members in a power struggle for control. No doubt the lack of leadership at the top led to a team built year in and year out with paper clips and bubble gum, a new head coach every year or two.

Enter the Walton-Penner ownership group, fronted by Walmart money and first born son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Rob Walton. His son-in-law, Greg Penner - who also has served Walmart in various roles over the past couple decades - was installed as the CEO of the team, with his wife Carrie Walton-Penner taking an active role as well.

From the get-go, they have established the intent is to WIN in Denver, much the same way Mr. B did all those years, and they've put their money where their mouth is.

This is their third full season as the ownership group. In the first year, they hired Nathaniel Hackett to be the head coach, and when it was clear midway through the season that he couldn't - pardon the pun - hack it, they cut bait rather than making fans suffer through anymore of that.

They chased and spent big money on hiring Sean Payton to come in as the head coach, who has dramatically re-shaped the culture in the locker room in just a season and a half.

But most importantly, for the third time in as many seasons, the Walton-Penner group has paid to completely replace the turf of Empower Field at Mile High Stadium. Citing player safety as their number one priority, they have spent upwards of $250,000 of their own money to replace the field when they felt the conditions were waning after even just a half season's use.

Last season, they spent nearly $400k to replace it before the last game of the year - literally only used for one game - so you know they genuinely care about their team.

Caring about their team and winning is the hallmark of a good ownership group. And in Denver, we have one of the best in the league, no doubt about it.