Two years ago, the Cleveland Browns sold for $997, relatively cheap for NFL franchise standards.
In the summer of 2014, the Buffalo Bills struggled to get a bid for over $1 billion, while the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA sold for over $2 billion.
These recent sales figures may indicate a power shift for the most valuable sports league, however, this couldn’t be more far from the truth.
The NFL still reigns as king of professional sports worldwide.
Forbes values the average NFL team at $1.43 billion, a 23 percent increase from last year and the highest it has ever been since Forbes started keeping track 17 years ago.
Key Takeaways:
- NFL franchises are incredibly valuable, with the Dallas Cowboys leading at $3.2 billion.
- The average value of an NFL team is $1.43 billion, marking a 23% increase from the previous year.
- The St. Louis Rams are the least valuable team, valued at under $1 billion.
- TV deals with major networks like NBC, ESPN, CBS, and Fox significantly boost NFL revenue.
- NFL team values surpass those of other major sports leagues, including the NBA, MLB, and NHL.
- The NFL aims to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2025.
The Most Profitable NFL Teams in 2024 (Valuation Revealed)
- Dallas Cowboys - $3.2 billion
- New England Patriots - $2.6 billion
- Washington Redskins - $2.4 billion
- New York Giants - $2.1 billion
- Houston Texans - $1.85 billion
- New York Jets - $1.8 billion
- Philadelphia Eagles - $1.75 billion
- Chicago Bears - $1.7 billion
- San Francisco 49ers - $1.6 billion
- Baltimore Ravens - $1.5 billion
- Denver Broncos - $1.45 billion
- Indianapolis Colts - $1.4 billion
- Green Bay Packers - $1.38 billion
- Pittsburgh Steelers - $1.35 billion
- Seattle Seahawks - $1.33 billion
- Miami Dolphins - $1.3 billion
- Carolina Panthers - $1.25 billion
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $1.23 billion
- Tennessee Titans - $1.22 billion
- Minnesota Vikings - $1.15 billion
- Atlanta Falcons - $1.13 billion
- Cleveland Browns - $1.12 billion
- New Orleans Saints - $1.11 billion
- Kansas City Chiefs - $1.1 billion
- Arizona Cardinals - $1.05 billion
- San Diego Chargers - $1.04 billion
- Cincinnati Bengals - $1.03 billion
- Oakland Raiders - $1.02 billion
- Jacksonville Jaguars - $1.01 billion
- Detroit Lions - $1.0 billion
- Buffalo Bills - $935 million
- St. Louis Rams- $930 million
How Does the NFL Valuation Compare to Other Leagues?
The most valuable NHL team is the Toronto Maple Leafs valued at $1.3 billion.
The New York Knicks who are the NBA’s most valuable franchise are worth $1.1 billion and only five MLB franchises are part of the $1 billion club.
The NFL is home to the most valuable sports team in North America, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys who are worth $3.2 billion only trail Spanish soccer club Real Madrid who is worth $3.4 billion.
The NFL is by far the most popular show on television and thanks to new broadcasting deals in 2014 with network giants NBC, ESPN, CBS, and Fox, league revenue should increase well over $500 million over a four year span.
These television contracts will help the league reach their goal of $25 billion in annual revenue by 2025 and with fans purchasing Super Bowl tickets at $10,000 a piece, the NFL’s goal definitely is in reach.
The NFL Most Profitable Franchises : Complete Valuation Chart
Below is a chart displaying the values of all 32 NFL franchises according to Forbes.
Forbes’ team values are “enterprise values (equity plus net debt) calculated using multiples of revenue that reflect each team’s current stadium economics (with adjustments for pending new stadiums and renovations). For teams that own their stadiums, we include the revenue the team gets from the stadium (net of applicable debt payments), but not the market value of the real estate.”
