While it is definitely a good job, owning a pro sports franchise isn’t a cheap one. Fortunately for those who get the opportunity to do so, they aren’t counting pennies and worrying about how to pay their bills each month, as they are some of the wealthiest people on the planet. And, if those owners ever do decide to sell their team, here are the franchises who would bring back the most cash—because these are the American sports teams worth over $1 billion.
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t.20 Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers – $1.22 billion
Two of the most successful franchises of the past decade or so, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens have each overcome the $1 billion mark in total value thanks to their winning ways. Meeting each other in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, the teams both employed a Harbaugh as head coach—until Jim Harbaugh left San Francisco, recently.
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t18. Houston Rockets – $1.25 billion
Everything is done bigger in Texas, and the city of Houston is no different. While the Houston Rockets haven’t won an NBA title in 20 years when they did so by going back-to-back in 1994 and ’95, the team has done a tremendous job at increasing its overall value. It helps to have young stars like James Harden and Dwight Howard to help guide the team, keeping fans enthusiastic about coming to games.
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t18. Chicago Bears – $1.25 billion
With a new head coach in John Fox recently hired by the Chicago Bears, the team’s hopeful that he’ll bring new energy and help them get back to the promised land. The major question mark with the Bears in recent seasons has been quarterback Jay Cutler, who has seemed to falter on the biggest stage and have a major case of inconsistency since joining the Bears in 2009. Even with question marks and no Super Bowl wins since 1985, the team is still worth over $1 billion.
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17. Golden State Warriors – $1.3 billion
Is there a more promising, young team than the Golden State Warriors in all of sports? With young studs like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson forming one of the best backcourts the league has ever seen, along with a rejuvenated team thanks to the hiring of head coach Steve Kerr this past offseason, the Warriors currently have the best record in the NBA. With fans coming in for every game and a new arena on the horizon, Golden State is on the cusp of greatness—while also increasing its value.
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16. Philadelphia Eagles – $1.31 billion
Much like the aforementioned Golden State Warriors in the NBA, the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles have a young and exciting team with an offense that trumps its competitors. And while that’s nice to have for fans to come to games, the $125 million renovation the team did on its stadium this past season is another reason that the team is worth $1.31 billion.
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15. New York Jets – $1.38 billion
The New York Jets might be going through a bit of a rebuilding period now that they’ve hired a new general manager and head coach, but that doesn’t mean that they’re dipping too much in overall value. Thanks to playing in the largest and, one of the most, expensive stadiums the NFL has, along with being in the nation’s No. 1 media market, the Jets continue to bring in cash with ease, earning a valuation of $1.38 billion.
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14. Houston Texans – $1.45 billion
While other American teams on this list have been around for years, the Houston Texans just came into existence in 2002—and have built quite the organization since then. Much like their pro hoops counterparts in the city of Houston, the Rockets, the Texans have relied on a fan base which supports them through thick and thin. Locking up defender J.J. Watt with a massive deal in 2014 only adds to their intrigue as they continue to grow in profitability.
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t12. Brooklyn Nets – $1.5 billion
Even after posting the biggest loss in net profits in NBA history last season due to a high payroll and bad debt, the Brooklyn Nets are still worth an astounding $1.5 billion. Rumors of owner Mikhail Prokhorov selling the team is no joke. Still, whoever the new owner is, he or she will be inheriting a team that might be a mess, but worth a hell of a lot of money and playing in downtown Brooklyn.
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t12. Boston Red Sox – $1.5 billion
Forget about any curse, because the Boston Red Sox have won three World Series titles since 2004, which was their first in 86 years since selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. With a massive radio and TV deal, the Sox have been able to build a huge audience across the nation, losing the whole lovable loser bit in the process. With the oldest—and most historic—ballpark in the majors, Boston should only continue to rise in value.
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11. New York Giants – $1.55 billion
Built around quarterback Eli Manning, the New York Giants have won two Super Bowl titles in the past decade, showing that they know what it takes to be on top. And with more than 80,000 fans packing their home stadium each and every game, the G-Men are always in-line to make plenty of money whenever they step foot on the field. Much like the New York Jets, the Giants also have the luxury of playing in New York, earning them plenty of attention from local and national media.
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10. Los Angeles Clippers – $1.6 billion
With former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the 2014-15 NBA season, there is a newfound energy around the team. Thought Ballmer paid $2 billion for the Clips, the team comes in with a value of $1.6 billion—which is nothing to scoff at. With talents like Blake Griffin and Chris Paul to build around, the Clippers are a trendy pick to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in their history.
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t8. Boston Celtics – $1.7 billion
The most winningest franchise in NBA history, it’s no surprise to see the Boston Celtics sitting tied for eighth with the value of $1.7 billion. Even as the team struggles to contend as they’re in the midst of a full rebuilding project, they continue to generate serious revenue, helping them stay extremely profitable. Add in a rent-free arena and a huge, local TV contract, and the C’s are in prime position to climb this list in recent years.
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t8. Washington Redskins – $1.7 billion
They may have one of the worst owners in sports history and are dealing with the bad press of a racist name, but the Washington Redskins are still one of the top-valued teams in American sports. Even as owner Daniel Snyder has continued to make questionable moves both with the roster and the coaching and front-office staff, the Skins are believed to be worth $1.7 billion—a tribute to the franchise for its rich history.
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7. New England Patriots – $1.8 billion
One of the most consistent franchises in all of sports since the turn of the millennium, the New England Patriots just clinched their sixth trip to the Super Bowl under the leadership of Bill Belichick. With their stadium being packed every single home game since 1994—even as ticket prices are some of the highest in the league—and intrigue wherever they go due to their success and hiccups, the Pats have gained recognition and a valuation of $1.8 billion.
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t5. Chicago Bulls – $2 billion
Out with the old and in with the new. While the Chicago Bulls haven’t won an NBA title since the days of Michael Jordan in the mid-’90s, that doesn’t mean that they’re struggling in the profit department. Leading the league in attendance in 2013-14—even as star point guard Derrick Rose played just 10 games during the season due to injury—Bulls fans have proven to be some of the most loyal in all of sports.
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t5. Los Angeles Dodgers – $2 billion
After securing a TV deal with Time Warner Cable for the the next 25 years that’s worth a whopping $8.35 billion, the Los Angeles Dodgers have proven that they know how to do big business. With the highest payroll in baseball and starpower at numerous positions, the Dodgers are generally looked at as the New York Yankees of the West Coast. That’s not a bad thing, but the team is still looking for its first World Series title in over 25 years—which would only bump them up this list even higher.
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4. Dallas Cowboys – $2.3 billion
If there’s one thing people know about Dallas Cowboys owner, general manager and president Jerry Jones, it’s that he is quite the businessman. After building an enormous stadium that opened several years ago and plays host to numerous, big sporting events, along with the reputation of being America’s Team, the Cowboys bring in money from all angles. Their biggest cash cow is the 25-year naming rights deal with AT&T that will generate about $500 million for the franchise.
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t2. New York Knicks – $2.5 billion
They play in New York City and in the world’s most famous arena, so it’s no wonder that the New York Knicks fall in the top-3 of the teams worth over $1 billion. Even with limited success over the past few decades, the team still has rich history and just saw a huge renovation to Madison Square Garden, recently. Fans may not be coming out to watch them much, as attendance fell 29 percent from last season, but the team continues to carry a high valuation.
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t2. New York Yankees – $2.5 billion
The winningest team in MLB history, the New York Yankees are the preemptive franchise in professional sports in the United States. Known for spending at will to get whatever they want to, their 27 world championships are a tribute to rich history and memorable players. With a huge TV deal with the YES Network and a stadium that never needs an introduction, the Yanks are, unsurprisingly, worth $2.5 billion.
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1. Los Angeles Lakers – $2.6 billion
They may have fallen on hard times in recent seasons, but the Los Angeles Lakers prove that they’re still the gold standard in American sports. Worth $2.6 billion, the Lakers have seemed to rotate future Hall of Famers through their locker room for years, bringing them tons of fans each night. With a 20-year, $4 billion deal with Time Warner that kicked off in 2012, the team has solidified revenue that other clubs could only hope for.
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