The Five Most Valuable Minor League Baseball Teams

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Minor league sports teams never seem to get nearly as much credit as they deserve. Farm systems are where some of the greatest athletes are groomed and made into the players they have become today. People never fully appreciate these minor league teams, but still will go check out the games every so often. Personally, I used to go see the Trenton Thunder play when I was younger but eventually moved onto watching the MLB as I slowly began to follow specific players. Minor league teams are still bringing in plenty of money though, so here are the five most valuable minor league baseball teams.

5. The Columbus Clippers – $24 Million

The Columbus Clippers are the AAA affiliate for the MLB’s Cleveland Indians. The Clippers tend to pull in a nice revenue of $12 million and minimize their expenses which average out to being only $4.8 million. Even though they have a $70 million stadium, it’s clear that Cleveland loves their baseball because they have supported their Clippers into being a very valued minor league team.

4. The Frisco RoughRiders – $24 Million

Coming in yet again at the $24 million mark is the Frisco RoughRiders located in Texas. The state of Texas is easily one of, if not the baseball capital of the nation. They are able to play it year round and are always pumping out the latest and greatest stars. This only shows more by the Texas Rangers affiliate team being able to make a revenue of $14 million while only having to cover $4.6 million in expenses which is how they slightly edge out the Clippers for the fourth spot on the list.

3. The Round Rock Express – $26 Million

Well, didn’t I just say Texas was the baseball capital of the USA? It turns out that another Texas Rangers minor league team comes in back-to-back with RoughRiders but pulls in a little more money. The Round Rock Express team is actually owned by baseball legend, Nolan Ryan,  which is probably how the team gets so much draw out to the stadiums.

2. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs – $26 Million

Well, this is an awesome surprise because I’m a Philadelphia Phillies fan! The Lehigh Valley IronPigs earn the number two spot on the list because they are pulling in a $14 million revenue as well as earning another $5.4 million through operating income. Philadelphia loves the sport of baseball and between the IronPigs and Reading Phillies, fans have plenty of options to go watch if the pro’s are out of town.

1. The Sacramento River Cats – $32 Million

The Sacramento River Cats are just a mile ahead of all other minor league teams in the race. The Oakland A’s affiliate pulls in a huge $20 million revenue alone, while also tacking on another $9.7 million from their operating income. California is filled with baseball fans, but really shows how deep their love for the game goes through support like this for the minor leagues.

Written by Blaise Hopkins

Feel free to contact Blaise on Twitter @Blaisehopkins or check out his blog Man and His Movies.