Why Billionaires Bet on Sports

Deep roots in a large metropolitan area, a huge fan base, lots of broadcast time, and rich licensing opportunities have helped major league sports team values soar in recent years. Using annual Forbes estimates, Accounting@Syracuse looked at that explosion in worth over a 10-year period—2007 to 2016. Our list includes cities and their surrounding areas with four or more teams.

CityTeamLeagueProfit
Boston
Patriots
NFL
2201000000
Boston
Celtics
NBA
1809000000
Boston
Red Sox
MLB
1576000000
Boston
Bruins
NHL
557000000
Chicago
Bulls
NBA
2440000000
Chicago
Bears
NFL
1989000000
Chicago
Cubs
MLB
1868000000
Chicago
Black Hawks
NHL
1254000000
Chicago
White Sox
MLB
909000000
Dallas-FW
Cowboys
NFL
2700000000
Dallas-FW
Mavericks
NBA
989000000
Dallas-FW
Rangers
MLB
860000000
Dallas-FW
Stars
NHL
246000000
Denver
Broncos
NFL
1406000000
Denver
Nuggets
NBA
569000000
Denver
Rockies
MLB
543000000
Denver
Avalanche
NHL
146000000
Detroit
Tigers
MLB
793000000
Detroit
Lions
NFL
780000000
Detroit
Pistons
NBA
423000000
Detroit
Red Wings
NHL
332000000
Los Angeles
Dodgers
MLB
2291000000
Los Angeles
Chargers
NFL
2201000000
Los Angeles
Angels
MLB
1791000000
Los Angeles
Kings
NHL
1288000000
Los Angeles
Ducks
NHL
433000000
Los Angeles
Clippers
NBA
391000000
Los Angeles
Rams
NFL
218000000
Miami
Dolphins
NFL
1433000000
Miami
Heat
NBA
932000000
Miami
Marlins
MLB
431000000
Miami
Panthers
NHL
84000000
Minneapolis-SP
Vikings
NFL
1418000000
Minneapolis-SP
Twins
MLB
622000000
Minneapolis-SP
Timberwolves
NBA
462000000
Minneapolis-SP
Wild
NHL
220000000
New York
Yankees
MLB
2692000000
New York
Giants
NFL
2200000000
New York
Jets
NFL
2126000000
New York
Nets
NBA
1783000000
New York
Mets
MLB
1462000000
New York
Rangers
NHL
914000000
New York
Islanders
NHL
885000000
New York
Knicks
NBA
305000000
Philadelphia
Eagles
NFL
1448000000
Philadelphia
Phillies
MLB
778000000
Philadelphia
Flyers
NHL
476000000
Philadelphia
76ers
NBA
420000000
Phoenix
Cardinals
NFL
1137000000
Phoenix
Suns
NBA
651000000
Phoenix
Diamondbacks
MLB
586000000
Phoenix
Coyotes
NHL
93000000
San Francisco
49ers
NFL
2000000000
San Francisco
Giants
MLB
1716000000
San Francisco
Raiders
NFL
1608000000
San Francisco
Athletics
MLB
746000000
San Francisco
Sharks
NHL
669000000
San Francisco
Warriors
NBA
236000000
Washington
Redskins
NFL
1483000000
Washington
Nationals
MLB
853000000
Washington
Wizards
NBA
652000000
Washington
Capitals
NHL
430000000

Source:

  • Forbes