The average NBA team is worth $4 billion, according to data compiled by sporty. The Golden State Warriors are first at $8.28 billion, while the New Orleans Pelicans are last at $2.72 billion. Below are the values of the league’s 30 franchises, which are collectively worth $120 billion.
To derive the market value of the 30 NBA franchises, sporty calculated each team’s revenue by relying on publicly available information and financial records — as well as interviews with those knowledgeable about team finances, including seven sports bankers and lawyers who actively work on NBA transactions. In the interest of accuracy, we traded candor for anonymity. This information has been verified by multiple owners, along with team or parent company CEOs, presidents, chief financial officers, media relations, industry and investor experts. Below are definitions of some important metrics:
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Total Value: The sum of the market value of an NBA franchise combined with the value of team-related businesses and real estate.
Team Value: NBA franchise valuation, derived from metrics from which basketball team transactions occur, including aggregating local and national revenues and factoring in a team-specific multiplier. This represents the market value of the team itself, excluding related businesses held by its owners.
Team-related Businesses and Real Estate: The value of the equity of a franchise or franchise in team-related businesses – ie, both those on the balance sheet of the team and held in separate corporate entities – as well as government-assessed real estate related to site, practice facilities and adjacent developments. Examples include: the 20% interest of the Boston Celtics in NBC Sports Boston, a regional sports network; and the four branches of the Dallas Mavericks, who own 11 pieces of land. Also included are WNBA franchises for the six teams that share common ownership with an NBA club. For franchises that do not own their arenas, the value of a team’s lease – often with favorable terms negotiated with municipal or state authorities – is captured in the Team Value category.
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