Clay Bennett has become one of the most influential figures in the NBA, known for his role as chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the man who relocated the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. His leadership has shaped both the franchise and the city’s sports identity. With an estimated net worth of $400 million, Bennett’s wealth comes from his investments, leadership positions, and his stake in the Thunder. His journey from Oklahoma businessman to NBA power player reflects his influence across sports, business, and civic life.
Early Life and Education
Clayton Ike Bennett was born in April 1959 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He grew up in a well-known local family with deep ties to business and philanthropy. Bennett attended Heritage Hall School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a degree in business administration. His early exposure to Oklahoma’s business community gave him insight into finance, energy, and investments, which later guided his career path.
Building a Career in Business and Finance
After college, Bennett entered the corporate world through banking, investments, and the energy sector. He eventually became chairman of Dorchester Capital, a private investment firm with interests in oil and gas, telecommunications, and finance. His reputation as a civic-minded businessman grew steadily, and he became involved in several economic development projects in Oklahoma City. Bennett’s name became tied to long-term initiatives like MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects), which helped transform downtown Oklahoma City into a modern hub.
Bringing the NBA to Oklahoma City
The most defining moment of Clay Bennett’s career came in 2006 when he led a group of Oklahoma-based investors to purchase the Seattle SuperSonics for $350 million from Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. At the time, Bennett said the intent was to keep the team in Seattle, but negotiations with the city over building a new arena failed.
By 2008, after legal disputes and national attention, the NBA approved the relocation of the team to Oklahoma City. The franchise was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder and played its first season in 2008–2009. While Bennett was heavily criticized in Seattle for taking away their beloved SuperSonics, he was celebrated in Oklahoma as the man who brought the first permanent major league sports franchise to the state.
Thunder’s Rise and NBA Success
Under Bennett’s ownership, the Thunder quickly became a model for small-market success. With rising stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, the team reached the NBA Finals in 2012 and became a consistent playoff contender throughout the following decade.
On June 22, 2025, Bennett’s vision reached a new milestone when the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA Championship, defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games. This victory was not only a triumph for the team but also a validation of Bennett’s efforts to cement Oklahoma City as a true sports destination.
Role with the Thunder
Bennett serves as chairman of Professional Basketball Club LLC, the holding group that owns the Thunder. The group includes several Oklahoma investors such as George Kaiser, Jeffrey Records Jr., Bill Cameron, Everett Dobson, and others. While Bennett is not directly involved in basketball decisions, he oversees the business strategy and long-term planning of the franchise.
He has built strong ties with NBA leadership, maintaining close relationships with both former commissioner David Stern and current commissioner Adam Silver. These connections have strengthened the Thunder’s standing within the league.
Thunder Ownership and Valuation
The Oklahoma City Thunder are valued at around $3.5 billion in 2025, a massive increase from the $350 million purchase price in 2006. Bennett’s exact ownership stake is not publicly disclosed, but the largest known individual investor, George Kaiser, owns 19 percent of the franchise. If Bennett’s stake is estimated at around 10 percent, his share would be valued at approximately $350 million.
Combined with his other investments and business interests, this pushes Clay Bennett’s net worth to an estimated $400 million. His wealth highlights the massive growth of NBA franchise values over the last two decades.
Business and Civic Leadership
Beyond basketball, Bennett remains chairman of Dorchester Capital and continues to be active in Oklahoma business circles. He has served on the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and played a leadership role in economic development projects across the state. He also served as chairman of the Oklahoma State Board of Education after being appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2013, though he later stepped down.
His philanthropic work has included education, health care, and civic infrastructure, often tied to improving quality of life in Oklahoma communities. His long association with the University of Oklahoma also includes serving multiple terms as a regent.
Personal Life and Family
Clay Bennett is married to Louise Gaylord Bennett, the granddaughter of media mogul Edward L. Gaylord, whose empire included Gaylord Entertainment and The Oklahoman newspaper. The couple has three children and is deeply rooted in Oklahoma’s civic and business community. They maintain homes in Oklahoma City and remain connected to state philanthropic and cultural organizations.
The Bennett and Gaylord families together represent one of Oklahoma’s most influential legacies, blending media, business, and sports leadership.
Conclusion
Clay Bennett’s net worth of $400 million reflects his long career in finance, investments, and his high-profile role as chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder. From his early work in business to his controversial but ultimately successful move to bring the NBA to Oklahoma City, Bennett has left an undeniable mark on both sports and his community. While still remembered in Seattle for relocating the SuperSonics, in Oklahoma he is celebrated as the man who transformed the state’s sports culture. With the Thunder’s first NBA Championship in 2025, Bennett’s legacy as one of the most impactful sports owners of his generation is firmly secured.