The cost to enter the NBA as an expansion team was $2.5 billion less than four years ago. That figure will soar to $4 billion or $5 billion once the league approves its next round of central media rights agreements. Scroll down to learn all about the most valuable teams in NBA.
The average NBA team’s current value is $3.85 billion, up 35% from the previous year and 75% from 2019. Furthermore, valuations are still rising as the league is expected to earn about $13 billion this season (before debt payments and revenue sharing), 11% more than the previous one.
One of the NBA’s areas of growth is sponsorships, which increased marginally in the previous season but may increase by double digits in 2023–24 due to the league’s new in-season tournament and an increase in jersey patch deals, such as the one the New York Knicks recently inked.
Which are the most valuable teams in NBA:
Although the Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship the previous season, the Golden State Warriors are still the most valuable team in the league, valued at $7.7 billion, 10% more than the previous year. No team is even close to overtaking them. During the 2022–23 season, the Warriors brought in $765 million (net of arena debt service and revenue sharing), which was 48% more than any other team. The other two teams with valuations over $6 billion are the Los Angeles Lakers ($6.4 billion) and the Knicks ($6.6 billion).
The two majority stake sales of NBA teams in the last 12 months—the Phoenix Suns to Mat and Justin Ishbia in February for $4 billion, and the Charlotte Hornets to Michael Jordan in August for $3 billion to Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin—as well as Jimmy and Dee Haslam’s acquisition of 25% of the Milwaukee Bucks in April at a $3.2 billion valuation were the main drivers of this year’s surge in values. (The sale of Marc Lasry’s minority stake to the Haslam family was taken into consideration because the new owners will govern the team in rotation alongside Wes Edens, the majority owner.)
The three deals, which rank among the top four NBA sale prices ever, highlight the enormous multiples of money that prospective team owners are prepared to part with. The Suns were acquired for 13.2 times revenue, which was less than Steve Ballmer’s 2014 purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers for 13.7 times revenue.
The Bucks and Hornets’ deals, meanwhile, were worth 9.7 and 11.2 times revenue, respectively. In comparison, Jordan paid less than twice as much for the Hornets (then the Bobcats) in 2010 and Robert Sarver paid 3.6 times as much for the Suns in 2004. Edens and Lasry paid 5 times as much for the Bucks in 2014.
Valuable teams in NBA table:
Teams in the NBA:
Valuable teams in NBA: The anticipation of a significant increase in media rights is the reason behind the increase in sale price multiples. Through 2024–2025, the league’s current U.S. rights agreements with ESPN and Turner Sports will bring in an average of $2.66 billion annually.
The international rights, which are divided among numerous distributors (such as DAZN and Sky Sports), will bring in roughly $500 million. The NBA will more than double the value of its current media rights, according to media experts and sports bankers, by bundling its international rights and bringing in new distributors like AppleTV, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime.
Money Ball: NBA Revenue For 2022-23:
Low-revenue teams would gain more from such a scenario than high-revenue teams because national and international media revenue is divided equally among the 30 teams. Teams like the Warriors and Knicks, for instance, would see an approximate 15% and 23% increase in overall revenue.
However, low-income teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies would see a roughly 40% increase in overall revenue. Because of this disparity, the teams in the top half of the 2023 list saw an average value increase of 28% over the previous year, while the bottom 15 teams saw an increase of 57%.
Big Score: The Average Annual Value Of NBA TV Rights:
The NBA made an average of $353 million per team in 2022–2023—a 6% increase over the previous season after deducting debt service and revenue sharing. However, operating income—that is, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization—fell 22%, primarily as a result of increased player expenses (such as benefits and escrow payments), which came to an average of $71 million per team.
Furthermore, the NBA math will alter once more with the anticipated addition of two expansion teams, most likely in Seattle and Las Vegas.
List of valuable teams in NBA:
1. Golden State Warriors: ($7.7 billion)
One of the most valuable teams in NBA, in recent memory is the Golden State Warriors, who have garnered a devoted following and won numerous titles. Their on-court achievements have resulted in a highly valuable brand and substantial revenue streams.
With an astounding six NBA titles in the past ten years, the Golden State Warriors are among the most successful teams in the modern era.
The team, captained by two-time MVP Stephen Curry, transformed from a small, historically significant team into a major league force. Over the previous few years, the Golden State Warriors’ franchise value has steadily increased; in 2022, the team was projected to be worth $7 billion.
The team plays in the 18,000-seat Chase Centre, which is always a sea of blue and yellow on game days thanks to their recent victories. The franchise’s regular season home attendance in 2022–2023 was 740,624, with 18,064 fans attending an average of each game.
The Warriors continued to be the most valuable team in the league with a staggering $765 million in revenue in the 2022–2023 campaign.
2. New York Knicks ($6.6 billion)
Due to their iconic status as one of the oldest and most storied franchises in NBA history, the New York Knicks have managed to maintain a passionate and devoted fan base despite their lack of recent success on the court.
The New York Knicks are the second most valuable team in the NBA, despite their lack of recent success in the league.
The fact that they perform in New York, the global centre of finance, is one of the many reasons for their commercial success. The Knicks are one of only two original NBA teams still based in their original city, the other being the Boston Celtics.
Madison Square Garden is a multipurpose indoor arena located in New York City where the team plays its home games. The franchise’s average home attendance during the regular season in 2022–2023 was 795,110, or 19,392 per game.
After the 2022–2023 season, the team brought in an astounding $504 million in revenue, which ranked among the highest in the league. The team’s continued popularity in the busy city that never sleeps is demonstrated by the fact that ticket sales accounted for about 30% of the team’s overall revenue.
3. Los Angeles Lakers ($6.4 billion)
With a track record of drawing elite players and taking home multiple titles, the Los Angeles Lakers have established themselves as a formidable force in the NBA. Because of their popularity and position in the global centre of entertainment, they have grown to be a very valuable brand and a significant source of income.
Along with the Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers have won the NBA championship a record 17 times. The team has fielded players like Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among many other greats.
Two years prior to the NBA’s formation, in 1947, the team was founded in Minneapolis under the name Minneapolis Lakers. It relocated to California in 1960 and changed its name to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Given the team’s close proximity to Tinseltown, the franchise boasts one of the largest local fan bases in the league, with stars from Hollywood among its season ticket holders. The Lakers’ home court is Downtown Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, a multipurpose sports complex.
The franchise’s regular season home attendance in 2022–2023 was 763,168, with 18,613 fans attending an average of each game. On Facebook, the Lakers have more than 21 million followers. In 2023, the team brought in $516 million in revenue.
4. Boston Celtics ($4.7 billion)
The Boston Celtics have an illustrious NBA history, having won an unprecedented 17 titles. In the world of basketball, their enduring success, devoted fan base, and recognisable green and white uniforms have elevated them to a highly respected and beloved brand.
Even for a general audience, the Boston Celtics don’t require an introduction. With 17 NBA titles, the most of any team in the league (shared with the Los Angeles Lakers), the Celtics are among the most successful teams in the league.
This iconic green and white, along with the legacy of this historic franchise and its devoted fan base, have combined to create a massive global brand. The Boston Celtics’ franchise value increased to $4.7 billion in 2023, or roughly 18% more than the year before.
During the 2021–2022 NBA season, the Celtics brought in $443 million more than the average NBA team, which made $361 million. The Mexican beer company Corona, Dunkin’, JBL, and other companies sponsor the Celtics.
5. Los Angeles Clippers ($4.65 billion)
Over the years, the Los Angeles Clippers have seen a steady rise in value due to their thrilling and daring style of play. The team has established itself as a serious contender in the fiercely competitive Western Conference with the addition of superstar Kawhi Leonard and the hiring of championship-winning coach Tyronn Lue.
Among the NBA teams with their home base in California is the Los Angeles Clippers. Founded in 1970 as a Buffalo Braves expansion team, the team was later purchased by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion in 2014.
Although they have made the playoffs ten times since 2000, the Clippers have never taken home an NBA championship. In Los Angeles, the Clippers are a well-liked team with a sizable fan base.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers share Crypto.com Arena, the site of their home games. The franchise’s regular season home attendance in 2022–2023 was 720,543, with 17,574 fans attending an average of each game.
With an operating income of $425 million, the LA Clippers are valued at $4.65 billion. The Clippers reported $425 million in revenue in 2023.
So, this was all about the most valuable teams in NBA. Also read, Virat & Anushka get invited to Ram Temple in Ayodhya
