NBA Franchise Values Surge

The NBA has established a notable hierarchy in terms of franchise values, with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers leading the pack. These teams not only dominate on the court but also in financial assessments.
Top Valued Franchises
The Golden State Warriors hold a franchise value of $9.14 billion, making them the most valuable team in the league. Following closely are the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion. This financial success places the Warriors as the second-most valuable franchise across all U.S. sports, just behind the Dallas Cowboys, valued at $10.3 billion.
Franchise Value Growth
The average value of an NBA team has seen a substantial increase, now standing at $4.6 billion, reflecting a 15 percent rise from the previous year and nearly double the value recorded four years ago. The Warriors experienced a 10 percent increase from 2023, while the Knicks and Lakers saw their values rise by 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Other Notable Teams
The Brooklyn Nets have notably climbed to fourth place with a valuation of $5.7 billion, marking a significant 43 percent increase from last year. The Nets’ home venue, Barclays Center, has been recognized for its impressive revenue generation. The top ten list also includes the LA Clippers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors, with values ranging from $5.68 billion to $4.66 billion.
Financial Insights
Among the top franchises, only the Lakers and Celtics do not own their venues, which can impact long-term financial strategies. The valuations underscore the NBA's strong market position, with franchises exhibiting a higher value-to-revenue ratio compared to other major U.S. sports leagues, including MLS, NFL, NHL, WNBA, NWSL, and MLB.
Bottom Rankings
Conversely, the least valuable franchises in the NBA include the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies, with values of $3.29 billion, $3.09 billion, and $3.06 billion, respectively. This disparity highlights the varying financial health and market position of different teams within the league.