Lauren Cohan Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Unlikely Rise of Chris Cohan — From Cable Pioneer to NBA Owner

John Christopher “Chris” Cohan was born on January 2, 1950 in Hanford, California.  His early years were shaped by upheaval and modest means: when his parents divorced, he went to live with his mother in Salinas before the family later moved to Los Gatos, California, where he completed high school.

Cohan eventually enrolled at Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in recreation.  What began as humble roots would, over decades, blossom into a fortune, a high-profile sports franchise acquisition, and a name known across American cable and NBA history.

Building a Cable Empire: The Birth of Sonic Communications

In 1977, leveraging the inheritance and modest resources he had, Cohan founded Sonic Communications.  Under his leadership, the company expanded aggressively — buying and consolidating cable systems across California, Utah, and even Alaska, eventually becoming one of the largest independently owned cable outfits in the United States. 

The success of Sonic Communications exemplified Cohan’s business instincts: he was willing to take calculated risks, expand into emerging markets, and manage large-scale operations. The 1986 acquisition of cable systems across Alaska for $78.5 million, and their subsequent sale a few years later for $143 million, is just one example of those bold — and ultimately profitable — moves. 

By the time he sold Sonic Communications in May 1998, Cohan had secured substantial personal wealth — setting the stage for his next move: entry into the world of professional sports.

From Cable King to NBA Owner: Taking Over the Golden State Warriors

In October 1994, Cohan paid approximately US $130 million to assume control of Golden State Warriors, just before the 1994–95 NBA season.  He did more than buy a team: he invested in its infrastructure, leading renovation efforts for what became known as the Oakland Coliseum Arena (later Oracle Arena). 

But ownership would prove challenging. Over 16 years under Cohan’s leadership, the Warriors delivered only two winning seasons and made the playoffs just once.  Critics often pointed to mismanaged drafts, erratic coaching decisions, and an unstable front office — a pattern documented in stories about frequent coaching changes, questionable hires, and internal discord.

Despite the glitz and potential of an NBA franchise, the results on the floor never matched the ambition. As one long-time employee put it, many departures during Cohan’s tenure felt bitter — a sign of how deep organizational frustration had grown. 

The Sale, the Aftermath, and the Wealth Question

In July 2010, after years of underwhelming performance and mounting pressure, Cohan sold the Warriors to a group led by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for US $450 million — a record sale for an NBA franchise at the time. 

Thanks to the sale of Sonic Communications and the subsequent sale of the Warriors, a number of sources have estimated Cohan’s net worth in the hundreds of millions. For instance, one long-standing estimate puts it at around US $350 million.  Another reference, based on his wealth in 2005, cites roughly US $325 million coming mostly from his cable company sale. 

Because Cohan stepped away from public business ventures after selling the Warriors, there’s limited public data on his post-2010 investments or financial activity. As such, the most widely accepted estimates of his net worth remain rooted in the value realized from those two major exits.

On the Personal Side: Private Man, Public Scrutiny

Compared with many high-profile owners and entrepreneurs, Cohan has maintained a relatively low public profile when it comes to his personal life. There is scant credible public information about his romantic relationships, family life, or current personal endeavors. Major outlets that cover billionaire owners and celebs rarely list spouses or public relationships for him.

What is clear, though, is his heritage: Cohan is the only child of his parents, and he inherited both a modest upbringing and, eventually, enough capital to launch his cable empire.  The lack of public relationship or family data suggests that Cohan values privacy — or simply doesn’t engage much with the celebrity-lifestyle aspects of being a former NBA owner.

Why Chris Cohan’s Story Matters — Legacy Beyond the Box Score

Cohan’s journey from a small-town California boy to cable magnate to NBA franchise owner is a textbook example of ambition and reinvention. He built a business from the ground up, capitalizing on early-stage cable markets, and parlayed that into an ownership role in one of the world’s premier sports leagues.

However, his legacy is complicated. Under his stewardship, the Warriors struggled — not just on the court, but organizationally. Repeated front-office shakeups, questionable talent decisions, and lackluster performance eroded fan goodwill and laid the foundation for what would become a dramatic franchise renaissance — once new ownership took over.

Yet, in a broader sense, Cohan is emblematic of a certain kind of American entrepreneur: one who turns opportunity into fortune, then chases the dream of grandeur — even when the return isn’t guaranteed. His story is a cautionary tale and a testament to ambition.

Final Thoughts

Chris Cohan — born January 2, 1950 — built his fortune through grit, risk, and strategic business moves. His founding of Sonic Communications and subsequent sale transformed him into a millionaire many times over. With that capital, he bought the Golden State Warriors, hoping to merge business success with sports glory. What ensued was a tumultuous 16-year reign that ended not with championships, but with a high-value exit.

While public records offer little about his personal relationships or day-to-day life today, Cohan’s legacy remains — both in the cable infrastructure he once built and in the cautionary tale of ambition untempered by consistent execution. For followers of business, sports, or both, his journey continues to offer lessons on the intersection of wealth, management, and legacy.