Basketball is good business.
Despite the drama with China and several top-tier players being hurt this season, it hasn’t stopped the money from flowing throughout the league.
According to a recent report from Forbes, franchise values increased by 14% in the past year, at an average of $2.12 billion. Revenue of $8.8 billion was generated by the league’s 30 teams last season, which was a 10% increase from the previous season.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Knicks were the top team and came in valued at $4.6 billion. Next up were the Lakers ($4.4 billion) and Warriors ($4.3 billion). The only other two franchises in American sports that are in their company are the Dallas Cowboys ($5.5 billion) and the New York Yankees ($4.6 billion).
The Bulls ($3.2 billion), Celtics ($3.1 billion), Clippers ($2.6 billion), Nets ($2.5 billion), Rockets ($2.48 billion), Mavericks ($2.4 billion) and Raptors ($2.1 billion) make up the rest of the top ten. And as you may have guessed, the bottom five teams are made up of smaller market franchises like the Pistons ($1.45 billion), Magic ($1.43 billion), Timberwolves ($1.38 billion), Pelicans ($1.4 billion) and Grizzlies ($1.3 billion).
The average NBA franchise is now valued at $2.12 billion, which is a number that has increased by 476% in the last decade.
Compared to the other three major American sports leagues, the NBA has a big lead due to their TV deals and their international popularity, as they’ve grown at a much faster rate: NBA (476%), MLB (262%), NHL (192%), NFL (179%).
Last month, it was reported that the ramifications from China’s decision to pull sponsorships and television coverage back in October due to Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey’s tweets in support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong could cost the league between $150 million and $200 million.
