The Mara family’s connection to the New York Giants is a tale woven into the fabric of American sports. Founded in 1925 by Tim Mara, the franchise has remained under family stewardship for nearly a century, with John Mara stepping into leadership roles as President, CEO, and co-owner in 2005.
With a legacy that includes his father, Wellington Mara, and grandfather both honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, John carries a significant weight of expectation. Under his guidance, the Giants celebrated two Super Bowl victories and played a pivotal role in bringing the Super Bowl to the New York area in 2014, marking a historic moment for the region.
However, the path has not been smooth; since 2017, the team has struggled, managing only one winning season. Yet, the Giants' rich history and dedicated fanbase continue to foster optimism in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
John Mara's journey with the Giants began in 1991 when he joined as general counsel. Following his father's passing, he ascended to the top executive roles in 2005. Wellington Mara had taken ownership in 1959 after inheriting the team from Tim, who was instrumental in establishing the franchise.
The Giants broke a lengthy Super Bowl drought in 2007, defeating the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. They repeated this feat four years later, again overcoming the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
In a significant financial move, the Mara family sold a 10 percent stake in the Giants to the Koch family in September 2025, valuing the franchise at an impressive $10 billion. Despite this sale, John Mara shares ownership with businessman Steve Tisch, indicating a collaborative approach to managing the team.
John's personal wealth is estimated at around $500 million, while the family's overall fortune is approximately $3 billion, primarily attributed to their long-standing ownership of the Giants. This places them as the 24th wealthiest ownership group in the NFL, a notable achievement considering Tim Mara's original investment of just $500.
Family ties extend beyond football; John's brother Chris is married to Kathleen Rooney, a descendant of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney. Together they have four children: Daniel, Conor, Rooney, and Kate. The latter two have made names for themselves as award-winning actresses while maintaining loyalty to both their parents' teams.
Kate expressed her deep-rooted passion for the Giants during an interview in 2016: “I grew up in New York and spent almost every Sunday at Giants Stadium, so my love of the team runs deep. I love the Steelers but at the end of the day, if they’re playing the Giants, I bleed blue.”
In a light-hearted moment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2014, she quipped about her divided loyalties: “If I’m mad at my mom, I root for the Giants, and if I’m pissed at my dad, I root for the Steelers.”
John and his wife Denise have been married since 1980 and are proud parents to son John Jr. and daughters Lauren, Courtney, Christine, and Erin. Their family continues to grow with 14 grandchildren adding to their legacy.
