Billion dollar club: all 30 NBA teams reach milestone valuation
Forbes reveals that the New York Knicks are again the highest valued NBA team
All 30 NBA franchises are each worth more than $1billion (£714million) for the first time ever, according to Forbes.
Topping the NBA rich list for the third year in succession are the New York Knicks, who are valued at a massive $3.6bn (£2.56bn) and the lowest valued team are the New Orleans Pelicans at $1bn (£714m).
The LA Lakers are in second place, valued at $3.3bn (£2.35bn), with the Golden State Warriors ($3.1bn; £2.2bn), Chicago Bulls ($2.6bn; £1.85bn) and Boston Celtics ($2.5bn; £1.78bn) making up the top five.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Forbes' data reveals that the average NBA team value is $1.65bn (£1.17bn) - a 22% increase from last year and three times more than the average values of five years ago. ESPN reports that the nine-year US TV rights deal with ESPN/ABC and Turner is valued at $24bn (£1.7bn). Running until the 2024-2025 season, the TV package is a major reason for the increase in team values.
Compared to American football, a typical NBA team is worth 52% less than an NFL franchise, says Forbes writer Kurt Badenhausen, but the NBA has greater international growth potential.
Badenhausen said: “It’s not outrageous anymore to envision a sports world in which NBA teams are worth more than their NFL counterparts. Investors believe the NBA has far greater potential to grow overseas than the NFL, which has struggled beyond the United States. NBA revenue outside the US is growing at a rate in the high teens annually.”
Top ten NBA team valuations
- New York Knicks: $3.6 billion (£2.56bn)
- Los Angeles Lakers: $3.3bn (£2.35bn)
- Golden State Warriors: $3.1bn (£2.2bn)
- Chicago Bulls: $2.6bn (£1.85bn)
- Boston Celtics: $2.5bn (£1.78bn)
- Brooklyn Nets: $2.3bn (£1.63bn)
- Houston Rockets: $2.2bn (£1.56bn)
- Los Angeles Clippers: $2.15bn (£1.53bn)
- Dallas Mavericks: $1.9bn (£1.35bn)
- Miami Heat: $1.7bn (£1.2bn)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
What message is Trump sending with his Cabinet picks?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION By nominating high-profile loyalists like Matt Gaetz and RFK Jr., is Trump serious about creating a functioning Cabinet, or does he have a different plan in mind?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
LeBron, Bronny James make dad-son NBA debut
Speed Read Basketball star LeBron James and his son LeBron Jr. made history by playing together in the Lakers' preseason game
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Sudan's basketball stars
Under the Radar Men's national team qualified for Olympics against the odds and are now inspiring a new generation of players
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Boston Celtics win record 18th NBA title
Speed Read In the NBA Finals, the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Caitlin Clark continue her success in the WNBA?
Today's Big Question Early struggles, but higher ratings for the league
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The economics of taxpayer-subsidized stadiums
In Depth Shiny new stadiums can end up costing taxpayers billions
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The cost-benefit analysis of hosting the Olympics
In Depth Hosting an Olympic Games may not be as economically beneficial as you would think
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published