New Orleans Saints – $3.5 billion
This century has been kind to the New Orleans Saints. The franchise value has grown to the tune of $3.5 billion. The Saints have been owned Gayle Benson, wife of the late Thomas Benson, who bought the club for a whopping $70.2 million in 1985. Their greatest success was winning the Superbowl in 2009.
Carolina Panthers – $3.6 billion
New valuations claim that the Carolina Panthers are now worth $3.6 billion, having gained 27% in value over the last year. The Panthers haven’t had much success over the years, despite this net worth. They reached the Superbowl in 2004 but ultimately lost to the New England Patriots 32–29.
Chicago Bulls – $3.6 billion
The Chicago Bulls are not the giant they were in the heady days of Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, but their value persists. Forbes estimates the six-time-NBA-title-winning franchise is worth a cool $3.6 billion. A lot of this is likely down to legacy and prestige than current success, though who knows? Maybe Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan can work wonders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $3.6 billion
According to Forbes, the average NFL team is worth $5.1 billion. Tell that to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are valued at a paltry $3.6 billion. That was a 14% increase from the previous year, however. The Buccs may not be the most famous or marketable of NFL teams, but they have two Superbowl victories to their name, in 2003 and 2021 respectively.
Kansas City Chiefs – $3.7 billion
The Kansas City Chiefs’ value currently stands at $3.7 billion, which is more than the team’s worth five years ago. How did that happen? Winning Superbowls in 2020 and 2023 may have helped. The franchise has been largely in the hands of the Hunt family after Lamar Hunt founded the Chiefs in 1959.
Indianapolis Colts – $3.8 billion
The Indianapolis Colts are worth $3.8 billion, ranking 22nd in the NFL overall. The franchise increased in value by 17% in the past year, tied for the third-lowest increase among all 32 NFL teams. Their $484 million revenue also ranks 22nd. Only the Ravens and Steelers saw a smaller increase.
Chicago Cubs – $3.8 billion
The Chicago Cubs are an impressive $3.8 billion, making them the fourth most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball, behind the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. This is an indictment of the club’s fanbase. Their World Series 2016 victory may have also helped matters.
Cleveland Browns – $3.8 billion
NFL teams averaged a 14% gain in franchise value over the past year, and the Cleveland Browns are no exception. Their valuation now stands at $3.8 billion, even though they still rank in the bottom half of the league. The Browns’ peak was in the 1960s and 1980s when they fought for several Superbowls.
Los Angeles Chargers – $3.8 billion
The last two decades have been very kind to the Los Angeles Chargers. As of 2023, they have been valued at $3.8 billion. Despite not having a lot of success over its history, this team is gaining in value every year. The Chargers are owned by the Spanis family, who bought the franchise for $72 million in 1984.
Baltimore Ravens – $3.9 billion
The Baltimore Ravens saw a huge rise in value between 2002 and 2022. In 2023, the franchise, owned by Stephen Bisciotti (who bought them for $600 million in 2004), was valued at a whopping $3.9 billion. They have won two Superbowls, once in 2001, and again in 2013.
Boston Red Sox – $3.9 billion
In 2023, the Boston Red Sox were revealed to have a value of $3.9 billion, which represented a 15% increase over the net worth of the Major League Baseball team in 2022. The Red Sox are owned by John Henry and Thomas Werner, who bought the franchise for $380 million in 2002.
Minnesota Vikings – $3.9 billion
The Minnesota Vikings have a value of approximately $3.93 billion dollars. The franchise is owned by Zygmunt Wilf, who bought the Vikings for a relatively minor $600 million in 2005. The Vikings have appeared in four Superbowls throughout their history, and lost each one.
Pittsburgh Steelers – $3.9 billion
Owned by the Daniel Rooney Trust and Arthur Rooney II, the Pittsburgh Steelers were valued at around $3.9 billion in 2023. The Steelers, along with the New England Patriots, have won the most Superbowls in NFL history, with six victories to their name.
Atlanta Falcons – $4 billion
Arthur Blank bought the Atlanta Falcons for just $545 million back in 2002. Since then, he’s turned the team into a money-making machine. In 2023, they were valued at a staggering $4 billion. The Falcons have appeared in and lost two Superbowls, once in 1999 and again in 2017.
Los Angeles Dodgers – $4 billion
In March 2012, Guggenheim Baseball Management (and former Lakers star Magic Johnson) agreed to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise for $2 billion. Over a decade later, their value has doubled. The Dodgers were originally based in Brooklyn before being relocated to LA in 1958. A year later, they won the World Series.
Green Bay Packers- $4.2 billion
Fun fact about the Green Bay Packers: they are the only community-owned franchise in the American professional sports major leagues. With that knowledge, you’d figure they’d be worth around $10. To the contrary, this NFL team is valued at a crazy $4.2 billion.
Manchester City – $4.2 billion
Manchester City’s value was estimated to be $4.2 billion in 2023, representing a 64% increase on the previous year, making them the most valuable soccer club in Europe. Winning the Treble (the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League) may have had something to do with it.
Bayern Munich – $4.2 billion
Bayern Munich has the Bundesliga in a chokehold, having won the German soccer league every year for the last ten years. As such, they are a valuable asset in sport, with a value of $4.2 billion. That’s a pretty good figure for a morally-sound and community-owned soccer club.
Liverpool – $4.4 billion
Liverpool are the most successful team in English football history. In 2023, their value amounted to $3.9 billion, representing an increase of around 53% on the previous year. After a dip in form throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Liverpool have enjoyed recent successes in Europe.
Seattle Seahawks – $4.5 billion
In 2023, the franchise of the Seattle Seahawks was valued at around $4.5 billion. They are owned by Paul Allen, who bought the franchise for a humble $194 million back in 1997. After 38 years of existence, the Seahawks finally won a Superbowl championship after the 2013 NFL season, beating the Denver Broncos 43-8.
Miami Dolphins – $4.6 billion
The Miami Dolphins’ heyday is a thing of the past, but they only jump up in valuation as the decades roll by. In 2023, the franchise was estimated to be worth $4.6 billion, with an increase of 34.5% over the previous year. The Dolphins won back-to-back Superbowls in 1972 and 1973.
Manchester United – $4.6 billion
The Red Devils have turned into a bit of a laughing stock in English football since their last league win in 2013, but their increasing value ceases to slow down. In 2023, United’s value was estimated to be $4.6 billion. Overall, they were the third most valuable soccer team in Europe. Thanks, Ronaldo!
Denver Broncos – $4.6 billion
The Denver Broncos are valued at $4.6 billion. They are owned by the Pat Bowlen Trust, who bought the franchise for $78 million in 1984. The Broncos are NFL royalty, having won a total of three Superbowl championships in 1998, 1999 and 2016.
Houston Texans – $4.7 billion
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the value of the Houston Texans, who are currently worth $4.7 billion. The franchise is owned by Janice McNair, who took over the team for a paltry $600 million back in 1999. Success-wise, the Texans aren’t much to write home about, having never appeared in a Superbowl.
Philadelphia Eagles – $4.9 billion
The Philadelphia Eagles were in a bit of a rut when Jeffrey Lurie bought them out for $185 million in 1994. Since then, not much has changed, but the team is now worth just shy of $5 billion. Oh, and in 2018 they won their first-ever Superbowl.
FC Barcelona – $5 billion
FC Barcelona may have lost their star boy Lionel Messi, but their prestige isn’t going anywhere. These Catalan veterans are valued at $5.5 billion and are the world’s fourth-richest soccer club in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of $582 million. A lot of that right now probably has to do with who they were rather than who they are, though.
Las Vegas Raiders – $5.1 billion
It may seem odd, but Las Vegas does have a football team. Well, they have since 2020. The Raiders are not only a franchise, but a pricey one valued at around $5.1 billion. They were previously named the Oakland Seniors before being renamed the Los Angeles Raiders. They have won three Superbowl championships.
Real Madrid – $5.1 billion
Real Madrid is the most famous soccer club of all time and one of the most successful. They hold the record for most Champions League wins, with 14 victories across their long history. In 2023, the Spanish side were valued at $5.1 billion.
San Francisco 49ers – $5.2 billion
The value of the San Francisco 49ers has grown a hell of a lot since the millennium. In 2023, the franchise was valued at around $5.2 billion. They are owned by Denise DeBartolo York and John York, who bought the 49ers in 1977 for $13 million. (They have recently bought out other sports teams, such as English soccer side Leeds United.)
New York Jets – $5.4 billion
Owned by Robert Wood Johnson IV, who bought the franchise for $635 million in 2000, the New York Jets are valued at a staggering $5.4 billion. The New York Jets, at one time called the Titans of New York, haven’t had much recent success. Their one and only Superbowl championship win came in 1969.
Los Angeles Lakers – $5.5 billion
Following the sale of Philip Anschutz’ 27% stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter and Todd Boehly in 2021, the Lakers are now valued at $5.5 billion, according to Forbes. The majority shareholders are still the Jerry Buss family trusts with 66%. With 17 NBA titles to date, it’s not yet clear to see if the changes in the boardroom will pay off on the court.
Golden State Warriors – $5.6 billion
The Golden State Warriors were purchased for a then-record $450 million by Peter Guber and Joe Lacob in 2010. The Warriors are now valued at a massive $5.6 billion, according to Forbes. With the combination of the ‘splash brothers’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and the appointment of Steve Kerr as head coach in 2014, the Golden State Warriors dynasty was born.
Chicago Bears – $5.8 billion
The Forbes $5.8 billion valuation of the Chicago Bears is all the more surreal when you think of how, in 1921, George Halas purchased the team for just $100. Still owned by the Halas family, Gorge Halas’ daughter Virginia Halas McCaskey inherited the team following her father’s death in 1983. The Bears won their only Super Bowl in 1985.
New York Knicks – $5.8 billion
Despite the Forbes valuation of $5.8 billion for the New York Knicks, things still don’t seem right for a team who play in an arena known as the ‘Mecca of Basketball’. Ever since James Dolan, as head of the Madison Square Garden Company, took full ownership in 1997, the Knicks, despite their dollar value rising, have fallen apart as a franchise on the court.
New York Giants – $6 billion
The New York Giants have seen their value increase exponentially over the last decade, thanks partly to their move to the 82,500 capacity MetLife Stadium they share with the New York Jets. Owned by Steve Tisch and John Mara since 2005, the Giants now have four Super Bowl victories to their name.
New York Yankees – $6 billion
The Yankees are ‘the’ franchise in Baseball and Forbes’ valuation of $6 billion reflects that. Winning a record 27 MLB World Series, the Yankees, owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, controlled by the family of the former owner, the late George Steinbrenner, sit atop the baseball valuation rankings.
Washington Commanders – $6.05 billion
Known by a different name until 2020, 2023 saw the purchase of the Commanders by a consortium headed by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion, a record price for a purchase of a North American sports team. The sale came after years of mismanagement and investigations concerning former owner Dan Snyder.
Los Angeles Rams – $6.3 billion
Stan Kroenke purchased the Rams for $750 million in 2010 and that valuation has shot up in just over a decade to $6.3 billion, according to Forbes. The franchise is the only one in NFL history to win championships based in three different cities: Cleveland in 1945, Los Angeles in 1951 and 2021, and St. Louis in 1999.
New England Patriots – $6.4 billion
In the years following the 1994 purchase of the Patriots by newspaper magnate Robert Kraft for $172 million, the franchise has enjoyed periods of dominance over the NFL and is valued at $6.4 billion. With Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady as starting quarterback, the Patriots have picked up six Super Bowl Championships under Kraft’s ownership.
Dallas Cowboys – $8 billion
The Dallas Cowboys take the top spot as the world’s most valuable sports team, according to Forbes. The immensely popular team need look no further than its record streak of 190 consecutive sold-out regular and post-season games as to why they are valued at $8 billion.
