**The Skyrocketing Valuations of Sports Teams: A Billion-Dollar Play**
In a stunning turn of events, sports team valuations are soaring like never before, with the latest report from Forbes unveiling the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams of 2025. Six years ago, being valued at $5 billion was a ticket to the top. Today, that figure wouldn’t even make the cut, as the landscape of sports franchises continues to evolve dramatically. Leading the charge is none other than the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise that has long been America’s Team and is now worth a jaw-dropping $13 billion—retaining its top spot since 2016.
The combined worth of the top 50 sports teams now eclipses an astonishing $353 billion, averaging out to about $7.1 billion per franchise. This marks a hefty 22% increase from the previous year and more than doubles the value from just four years ago. The growth is a clear testament to the explosive popularity and financial power of sports in today’s media-driven world. Several teams are making headlines with year-over-year valuation spikes exceeding 30%, not to mention high-flying names like Ferrari and Mercedes in Formula 1, which saw an impressive 58% increase since 2023.
What’s behind this rapid rise? A major player is the surge in media rights fees. The NBA’s recent deal snagged a staggering $76 billion over 11 years with platforms like ABC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video, translating to an annual bonanza of about $4 billion more than previous accords. Meanwhile, the NFL has just inked a colossal contract worth at least $125.5 billion through 2033. When teams enjoy such lucrative league distributions and rake in sponsorship dollars while also enhancing premium seating options, the average revenue for franchises skyrockets. NBA teams saw a delightful 41% increase, landing at about $417 million, while NFL teams experienced a whopping 91% boost to an average of $662 million.
These hefty cash inflows don’t just benefit the teams directly; they also elevate the game’s market value. Valuations are often linked to revenue multiples, so when money flows in, it leads to higher sales prices. This phenomenon is famously illustrated by Steve Ballmer’s 2014 purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion—a figure that shocked many at the time. Just a year prior, the Clippers were valued at around $575 million, showcasing how single transactions can reset market expectations. More recent majority stake sales in iconic franchises like the Lakers and Celtics are further ramping up the valuations across the board.
However, not all sports are sharing equally in this financial gold rush. While NFL franchises are enjoying a 25% increase this year, the 20 most valuable European soccer clubs only managed a mere 5% rise due to stagnant media revenue and mounting debts. The NBA stands out with a staggering 87% increase in value over the past three years, in stark contrast to the 25% growth in the NFL and 24% in European soccer. In the latest lineup, soccer has slipped to just four teams in the top 50, down from seven, while Major League Baseball has dwindled to two representatives after the Boston Red Sox exited the rankings. The National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs lead the pack at $4.4 billion, while Major League Soccer’s top team, Los Angeles FC, stands at $1.25 billion.
As the rankings roll out, it’s clear that the landscape of sports team valuations is not just about economics but also about a growing brand and competitive market. At the top, following the Cowboys, are notable franchises like the Golden State Warriors ($11 billion), Los Angeles Rams ($10.5 billion), and New York Giants ($10.1 billion), with the Los Angeles Lakers rounding up the top five at a robust $10 billion. The New York Knicks are close behind, valuing at $9.75 billion. This trend is likely to continue, and fans are left to wonder just how high these numbers can go as the business of sports continues to thrive. For further details and insights, the full list is available on Forbes.com, offering a closer look at which teams are ruling the financial game.
