The New York Yankees are owned by Yankee Global Enterprises (YGE). The family of George Steinbrenner has a controlling interest in the company. Steinbrenner led a group that purchased the team in 1973, and he later became the principal owner. His exacting methods and often bellicose attitude established him as one of the most controversial personalities in major league baseball. Though he was often criticized, under his ownership the Yankees became one of the dominant teams in baseball and one of the most valuable franchises in sports.
Amid Steinbrenner’s failing health in the late 2000s, control of the Yankees shifted to his sons. In 2007 Hal Steinbrenner was elected chairman of YGE, and in 2008 he assumed day-to-day control of the team after approval by Major League Baseball. His brother, Hank Steinbrenner, also held a leadership role within the organization. George Steinbrenner died in 2010 and Hank Steinbrenner in 2020.