Forbes list of the most valuable NBA teams
This article needs to be updated.(December 2023) |
Forbes compiles the finances of all 30 NBA teams to produce an annual ranking of the best franchises in terms of valuation. The valuations are composed of the monetary worth of the sport, market, stadium deals, and brand.[1] These areas are supported by applying financial metrics such as debt and operating income to each one.[2]
The latest ranking reported that the Golden State Warriors is the most valuable NBA franchise after the 2021–22 NBA season.[3] The fastest growing NBA franchise is also the Toronto Raptors, with a 100% increase in valuation since the 2017–18 NBA season ($3.5 to $7 billion).[1] The Warriors became the third NBA team to hold the title as the most valuable franchise since the launch of the ranking in the 1991–92 NBA season, with the other two being the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.[4][5][2]
Several media outlets have referenced in related news or conducts analytic journalism when the ranking comes out, such as The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.[6][7] The NBA has consistently recognized the renditions of the ranking.[8][9] The report has also applied more context to NBA trends, such as the financial impact of Ja Morant leveraging the Memphis Grizzlies into playoff relevancy.[10] Financial trends in terms of 1-year increases have been more favorable for Memphis, most notably revenue after acquiring Ja Morant.[11]
Ranking
editRankings as of October 27, 2022 (2021–22 NBA season)[2]
Rank | Swing[a] | Team | Territory | Value[b] | Change[c] | Debt[d] | Revenue[e] | Operating Income[f] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Golden State Warriors | California | $7.7 billion | 91.2% | 13% | $800 million | $250 million |
2 | 1 | New York Knicks | New York | $6.6 billion | 630.6% | 62% | $278 million | $92 million |
3 | 1 | Los Angeles Lakers | California | $6.4 billion | 59% | 1% | $465 million | $115 million |
4 | Boston Celtics | Massachusetts | $4.7 billion | 42.9% | 5% | $361 million | $326.5 million | |
5 | 3 | Los Angeles Clippers | California | $4.65 billion | 77.3% | 2% | $362 million | $12 million |
6 | Chicago Bulls | Illinois | $4.6 billion | 41.4% | 4% | $352 million | $135 million | |
7 | Dallas Mavericks | Texas | $4.5 billion | 46.7% | 3% | $364 million | $143 million | |
8 | 2 | Houston Rockets | Texas | $4.4 billion | 39.1% | 6% | $350 million | $113 million |
9 | 6 | Philadelphia 76ers | Pennsylvania | 4.3 billion | 90.9% | 4% | $345 million | $87 million |
10 | 2 | Toronto Raptors | Ontario | $4.1 billion | 100% | 32% | $305 million | $75 million |
11 | 4 | Phoenix Suns | Arizona | $4 billion | 80% | 9% | $302 million | $87 million |
12 | 2 | Miami Heat | Florida | $3.9 billion | 71.4% | 14% | $326 million | $83 million |
13 | 1 | Brooklyn Nets | New York | $3.85 billion | 48.9% | 8% | $405 million | –$34 million |
14 | 2 | Washington Wizards | Washington, D.C. | $3.5 billion | 61.3% | 7% | $291 million | $90 million |
15 | 1 | Denver Nuggets | Colorado | $3.38 billion | 40.4% | 15% | $273 million | $67 million |
16 | 7 | Milwaukee Bucks | Wisconsin | $2.3 billion | 70.4% | 14% | $352 million | $51 million |
17 | 2 | Portland Trail Blazers | Oregon | $2.1 billion | 31.3% | 9% | $291 million | $81 million |
18 | 8 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Ohio | $2.05 billion | 60.8% | 11% | $325 million | $74 million |
19 | 3 | Sacramento Kings | California | $2.03 billion | 28.9% | 28% | $279 million | $29 million |
20 | Utah Jazz | Utah | $2.025 billion | 42.1% | 15% | $308 million | $58 million | |
21 | 7 | San Antonio Spurs | Texas | $2 billion | 23.1% | 9% | $306 million | $99 million |
22 | 3 | Atlanta Hawks | Georgia | $1.975 billion | 51.9% | 13% | $282 million | $84 million |
23 | 6 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Oklahoma | $1.875 billion | 27.1% | 10% | $274 million | $129 million |
24 | 2 | Orlando Magic | Florida | $1.85 billion | 39.65 | 11% | $272 million | $98 million |
25 | 6 | Indiana Pacers | Indiana | $1.8 billion | 28.6% | 14% | $264 million | $65 million |
26 | 1 | Charlotte Hornets | North Carolina | $1.7 billion | 39.4% | 12% | $269 million | $94 million |
27 | 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Minnesota | $1.67 billion | 32.5% | 14% | $271 million | $87 million |
28 | 1 | Memphis Grizzlies | Tennessee | $1.65 billion | 37.5% | 22% | $272 million | $107 million |
29 | 1 | New Orleans Pelicans | Louisiana | $1.6 billion | 31.1% | 14% | $268 million | $94 million |
Composition
editTeam[g] | Value[b] | Sport[h] | Market[i] | Stadium[j] | Brand[k] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden State Warriors | $7.7 billion | $1.346 billion | $3.060 billion | $2.293 billion | $0.911 billion |
New York Knicks | $6.1 billion | $1.354 billion | $2.821 billion | $1.062 billion | $0.863 billion |
Los Angeles Lakers | $5.9 billion | $1.373 billion | $2.872 billion | $0.758 billion | $0.897 billion |
Chicago Bulls | $4.1 billion | $1.444 billion | $1.437 billion | $0.765 billion | $0.454 billion |
Boston Celtics | $4 billion | $1.353 billion | $1.475 billion | $0.665 billion | $0.506 billion |
Los Angeles Clippers | $3.9 billion | $1.715 billion | $1.318 billion | $0.425 billion | $0.443 billion |
Brooklyn Nets | $3.5 billion | $1.286 billion | $1.161 billion | $0.673 billion | $0.381 billion |
Dallas Mavericks | $3.3 billion | $1.082 billion | $1.273 billion | $0.517 billion | $0.428 billion |
Houston Rockets | $3.2 billion | $1.153 billion | $1.105 billion | $0.615 billion | $0.328 billion |
Philadelphia 76ers | $3.15 billion | $1.234 billion | $1.029 billion | $0.497 billion | $0.390 billion |
Toronto Raptors | $3.1 billion | $1.561 billion | $0.722 billion | $0.497 billion | $0.321 billion |
Miami Heat | $3 billion | $1.199 billion | $1.020 billion | $0.457 billion | $0.324 billion |
Phoenix Suns | $2.7 billion | $1.335 billion | $0.711 billion | $0.399 billion | $0.255 billion |
Washington Wizards | $2.5 billion | $1.339 billion | $0.644 billion | $0.300 billion | $0.217 billion |
Milwaukee Bucks | $2.3 billion | $0.970 billion | $0.680 billion | $0.414 billion | $0.237 billion |
Portland Trail Blazers | $2.1 billion | $1.140 billion | $0.509 billion | $0.268 billion | $0.182 billion |
Cleveland Cavaliers | $2.05 billion | $0.828 billion | $0.652 billion | $0.359 billion | $0.211 billion |
Sacramento Kings | $2.03 billion | $0.964 billion | $0.535 billion | $0.324 billion | $0.206 billion |
Utah Jazz | $2.025 billion | $1.070 billion | $0.496 billion | $0.302 billion | $0.157 billion |
San Antonio Spurs | $2 billion | $0.996 billion | $0.527 billion | $0.339 billion | $0.138 billion |
Atlanta Hawks | $1.975 billion | $1.120 billion | $0.448 billion | $0.237 billion | $0.170 billion |
Denver Nuggets | $1.93 billion | $1.156 billion | $0.390 billion | $0.244 billion | $0.140 billion |
Detroit Pistons | $1.9 billion | $1.113 billion | $0.473 billion | $0.174 billion | $0.140 billion |
Oklahoma City Thunder | $1.875 billion | $1.111 billion | $0.408 billion | $0.215 billion | $0.142 billion |
Orlando Magic | $1.85 billion | $1.110 billion | $0.402 billion | $0.203 billion | $0.135 billion |
Indiana Pacers | $1.8 billion | $1.219 billion | $0.296 billion | $0.182 billion | $0.103 billion |
Charlotte Hornets | $1.7 billion | $1.116 billion | $0.319 billion | $0.162 billion | $0.102 billion |
Minnesota Timberwolves | $1.67 billion | $1.042 billion | $0.351 billion | $0.157 billion | $0.119 billion |
Memphis Grizzlies | $1.65 billion | $1.028 billion | $0.357 billion | $0.155 billion | $0.110 billion |
New Orleans Pelicans | $1.6 billion | $1.055 billion | $0.259 billion | $0.190 billion | $0.095 billion |
Historical valuations
editTeam | 2022–23 | 2021–22 | 2020–21 | 2019–20 | 2018–19 | 2017–18 | 2016–17 | 2015–16 | 2014–15 | 2013–14 | 2012–13 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden State Warriors | 7,700 | 7,000 | 5,600 | 4,700 | 4,300 | 3,500 | 3,100 | 2,600 | 1,900 | 1,300 | 750 |
New York Knicks | 6,600 | 6,100 | 5,800 | 5,000 | 4,600 | 4,000 | 3,600 | 3,300 | 3,000 | 2,500 | 1,400 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 6,400 | 5,900 | 5,500 | 4,600 | 4,400 | 3,700 | 3,300 | 3,000 | 2,700 | 2,600 | 1,400 |
Boston Celtics | 4,700 | 4,000 | 3,550 | 3,200 | 3,100 | 2,800 | 2,500 | 2,200 | 2,100 | 1,700 | 875 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 4,650 | 3,900 | 3,300 | 2,800 | 2,600 | 2,200 | 2,200 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,600 | 575 |
Chicago Bulls | 4,600 | 4,100 | 3,650 | 3,300 | 3,200 | 2,900 | 2,600 | 2,500 | 2,300 | 2,000 | 1,000 |
Dallas Mavericks | 4,500 | 3,300 | 2,700 | 2,500 | 2,400 | 2,300 | 1,900 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,200 | 765 |
Houston Rockets | 4,400 | 3,200 | 2,750 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,300 | 2,200 | 1,700 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 775 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 4,300 | 3,150 | 2,450 | 2,100 | 2,000 | 1,700 | 1,200 | 800 | 700 | 700 | 469 |
Toronto Raptors | 4,100 | 3,100 | 2,475 | 2,200 | 2,100 | 1,700 | 1,400 | 1,100 | 980 | 920 | 520 |
Phoenix Suns | 4,000 | 2,700 | 1,800 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,100 | 1,000 | 910 | 565 |
Miami Heat | 3,900 | 3,000 | 2,300 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,800 | 1,700 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,200 | 770 |
Brooklyn Nets | 3,850 | 3,500 | 3,200 | 2,700 | 2,500 | 2,400 | 2,300 | 1,800 | 1,700 | 1,500 | 780 |
Washington Wizards | 3,500 | 2,500 | 1,925 | 1,800 | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,400 | 1,000 | 960 | 900 | 485 |
Denver Nuggets | 3,380 | 1,930 | 1,725 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,400 | 1,100 | 890 | 855 | 855 | 495 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | 3,350 | 2,050 | 1,650 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,200 | 1,100 | 915 | 515 |
Sacramento Kings | 3,330 | 2,030 | 2,000 | 1,800 | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,400 | 1,100 | 925 | 800 | 550 |
Atlanta Hawks | 3,330 | 1,975 | 1,680 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,200 | 885 | 825 | 825 | 425 |
San Antonio Spurs | 3,250 | 2,000 | 1,980 | 1,900 | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,000 | 660 |
Milwaukee Bucks | 3,200 | 2,300 | 1,900 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,400 | 1,100 | 785 | 675 | 600 | 405 |
Utah Jazz | 3,090 | 2,025 | 1,750 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,400 | 1,200 | 910 | 875 | 850 | 525 |
Portland Trail Blazers | 3,080 | 2,100 | 2,050 | 1,900 | 1,900 | 1,600 | 1,300 | 1,100 | 975 | 940 | 587 |
Detroit Pistons | 3,080 | 1,900 | 1,580 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,100 | 900 | 850 | 810 | 450 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | 3,050 | 1,875 | 1,630 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,000 | 950 | 930 | 590 |
Charlotte Hornets | 3,000 | 1,700 | 1,575 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,100 | 780 | 750 | 725 | 410 |
Orlando Magic | 2,950 | 1,850 | 1,640 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,200 | 920 | 900 | 875 | 560 |
Indiana Pacers | 2,900 | 1,800 | 1,670 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,200 | 880 | 840 | 830 | 475 |
New Orleans Pelicans | 2,550 | 1,600 | 1,525 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,200 | 1,000 | 750 | 650 | 650 | 420 |
Minnesota Timberwolves | 2,500 | 1,670 | 1,550 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,100 | 770 | 720 | 625 | 430 |
Memphis Grizzlies | 2,400 | 1,650 | 1,500 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,200 | 1,000 | 790 | 780 | 750 | 453 |
Notes
edit- ^ Movement of spots in the ranking from the 2017–18 NBA season to the 2021–22 NBA season.
- ^ a b Value of team (in USD) based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending), without deduction for debt (other than stadium debt).
- ^ Change of valuation from the 2016–17 NBA season to the 2020–21 NBA season.
- ^ Expressed as the percentage of valuation that is debt. Includes stadium debt.
- ^ Revenue in USD.
- ^ Earnings (in USD) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
- ^ a b Financial data taken from each team profile on Forbes.
- ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to revenue shared among all teams.
- ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its city and market size.
- ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its arena.
- ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its brand.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Golden State Warriors Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "The NBA's Most Valuable Teams (2022–23)". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "The Business of Basketball List". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "How the $7 billion Warriors built the most valuable franchise in the NBA". San Francisco Chronicle. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Warriors land at No. 1 on Forbes NBA team valuations list for first time". Yahoo!. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Deb, Sopan (23 November 2021). "Are the Knicks and Lakers Really Worth $5 Billion?". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Where Do Mavs Rank Among Forbes' Most Valuable NBA Franchises?". Sports Illustrated. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Forbes: NBA teams worth $2.12 billion on average". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Forbes: NBA teams worth $1.9 billion on average". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Red hot and blue: Sizzling Grizzlies and Morant net national attention, economic fortunes". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Memphis Grizzlies Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 29 March 2022.