Forbes has unveiled their list of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams. Most of us like some kind of professional sports, but these numbers are proof this is big business, baby. It’s a mutli-billion dollar business that gets bigger ever year. According to the article, “the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams are worth a combined $222.7 billion, 30% more than a year ago, the biggest increase in five years.” Chew on that for a moment.
It’s clear, the NFL is in command of the numbers, with 30 of the total 32 teams making the top 50. That equates to 60% of the list, as Forbes reports. But which Boston teams made the list. If we are talking top ten…only one Boston sports team made the cut. Two others are holding down spots #30 and #41. But still, they “made the team,” and ranked in the top 50! Find out where, and who, here. Let’s start by taking a look at the top 10. Keep in mind, there are plenty of ties on this list, with some teams bringing in the same amount of money.
1. Dallas Cowboys
“America’s Team” is worth a whopping 8 billion dollars to claim the #1 spot. The team is owned by Jerry Jones, who paid $150 million for the team in 1989. I’d say that’s a good return on his investment.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
2. New England Patriots
The Brady years were very kind to the franchise. And yes, that’s an understatement. Despite the fact that Tom left town, the team continues to sell out the stadium. The Pats aren’t off to the best start, but hey, we are Boston! We believe!(Against all odds, sometimes.) Btw, even with a rough start, our QB #10 Mac Jones continues to be a fan favorite jersey, and one of the top selling in the country.
Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 for $172 million. The Patriots are currently worth #6.4 billion.
Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
3. Los Angeles Rams
E. Stanley Kroenke owns the Rams. He purchased the team in 2010 for Year Change: 107% | Year Purchased: 2010 | Price Paid: $750 million and it’s now worth $6.2 billion. It’s amazing what a Super Bowl win can do for profits.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
4. New York Yankees
Boo! (Sorry, I had to. I owe it to Red Sox fans everywhere.) But $6 Billion is nothing to boo.The Steinbrenner family has owned the Yankees since 1973, when they paid a mere $8l8 million. They’ve seen a five year change of 62%. And the team is dominating the AL East this year.
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 28: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees runs the bases as he hits his 61st home run of the season in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Judge has now tied Roger Maris for the American League record. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
4. (tie) New York Giants
Ugh. 2 New York teams in a row. Gotta give props where props are do. The Giants were last purchased in 1991 by Steven Tisch who paid $150 million. Today, the team is worth $6 billion. That ties for 4th place on the Forbes list, with their brethren cross town, the Yankees.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants looks to pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
5. New York Knicks
Say it ain’t so! Three New York teams in a row! It is so. So much money. Madison Square Garden Sports owns the team and purchased it in 1997 for $300. Now worth $5.8 billion. The five year change is 76%.
RJ Barrett #9, Mitchell Robinson #23 and Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)5. (tie) Chicago Bears
Da Bears! Chicago fans are nearly as passionate as Boston fans. The Bears haven’t been in a Super Bowl since 2007, but they continue to sell tickets. They tie for the #5 spot with $5.8 billion The team is owned by McCaskey family. It purchased in 1920 for just $100. Good deal.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Khalil Herbert #24 and Dante Pettis #18 of the Chicago Bears celebrate a touchdown against the Houston Texans at Soldier Field on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
6. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been a dominate team for quite a few years and it shows in their profits. Current worth: $5.6 billion. Five-Year Change: 115% . The team was purchased in 2010 for $450 million. Owner: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses with the four Larry O’Brien Championship Trophies that he has won with the Warriors during the Warriors Media Day (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
6. (tie) Washington Commanders
The name change hasn’t seem to hurt the Washington NFL team, now known as the Warriors. They made top 7 earned 6th ranking, tying with Golden State Warriors . The team is now worth $5.6 billion.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders hands the ball off to running back Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Commanders against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on September 25, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
7. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have an ocean of money. $5.5 billion dollars worth, and making Forbes list, coming in hot at #7. The Jerry Buss Family Trusts, Todd Boehly, Mark Walter are listed as owners. The Team was purchased in 1979 at $20 and in 2021 for $5 billion.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Where are the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins
The Boston Bruins may be #1 in our hearts, but they didn’t make the top 50 on Forbes list. No NHL teams did. But the Red Sox came in at #30, claiming a worth of $ 3.9 billion. The Sox were bought by John Henry and Tom Werner in 2002. They paid $380 million for the team. And as the world knows, 2 years after they bought the team, the curse was broken.
Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox bats in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics sure had a fun run last year, it remains to be seen what this season will bring. But they bring in the money. They manged to get into this top 50 most valuable, coming in at the #41 spot. The team is now worth $3.55 billion. It was purchased in 2002 by Wyc Grousbeck, Irving Grousbeck, Robert Epstein and Stephen Pagliuca for $360 million. That’s a five year change of 61%!
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)