Does your team make the list of the richest NBA teams? We’re talking about a big money league with TV, sponsorship and merchandising deals that keeps on generating record revenue for franchises. Let’s take a look at the top ten most valuable NBA teams:
10. Dallas Mavericks ($3.26 billion)
The Dallas Mavericks began as an expansion team in 1980 with an expansion fee of $12.5 million paid. Let that sink in, as the Charlotte Bobcats expansion fee was set at $300 million in 2013, and you can only imagine what it’d be today.
With just a single NBA championship to their name, Dallas have had superstars including Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd on their roster. Nowadays, they’ve got arguably the best player in the league in Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks are worth $3.26 billion mostly because of the large Dallas market.
Mark Cuban became the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 after buying it for $285 million.
The team is now worth $2.25 billion today 🤯💰 pic.twitter.com/XAQREJBhzw
— Hot Freestyle (@HotFreestyle) December 3, 2019
9. Houston Rockets ($3.3 billion)
Prior to the Mavericks joining the NBA, the San Diego Rockets relocated to Houston to become the first team in Texas in 1971. The Rockets most successful period came during the Hakeem Olajuwon era.
One of the best defenders in NBA history, Olajuwon helped guide the Rockets to back-to-back championships and laid down the platform for one of the most valuable NBA franchises.
8. Toronto Raptors ($3.34 billion)
Toronto is a huge market and the Raptors were able to ride out the wave that saw many Canadian teams fold in the early 2000s, including the relocation of the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis.
Vince Carter no doubt put the Raptors on the map in the late 90s and early 2000s. The Raptors 2019 championship helped a surge in popularity, and so too does super-fan Drake’s regular courtside appearances. The Raptors are a very marketable team at the moment and its driven their value up to a cool $3.34 billion.
DRAKE IS FIRED UP!!!! The Toronto #Raptors are #NBA champions! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/X5CCOAuup1
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 14, 2019
7. Los Angeles Clippers ($3.73 billion)
The Los Angeles market is big enough for two teams and the Clippers have always been the younger brother and perennial underdogs to the Lakers. A generation of fans that couldn’t afford tickets to see the Lakers became lifelong Clippers fans, with tickets to see Elton Brand much cheaper than watching Kobe and Shaq.
The Clippers have never made it to the NBA Finals and only recently became relevant during the Blake Griffin era. They’re still worth $3.73 billion and can even attract a superteam in today’s game, with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard joining the team in 2019.
6. Brooklyn Nets ($3.86 billion)
The Brooklyn Nets are worth $3.86 billion and are one of the richest NBA teams. When the Nets moved to Brooklyn from New Jersey in 2012 they entered the largest market alongside the Knicks.
A superteam including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden became one of the biggest flops, but it showed their intent and the sort of players they’re able to attract to Brooklyn.
The NLL’s 15th franchise is coming to Las Vegas under owner Joe Tsai in a deal over $10 million.
Tsai is now an owner of:
➖ Brooklyn Nets
➖ Nets’ G-League, 2K teams
➖ New York Liberty
➖ Alibaba
➖ San Diego Seals (NLL)Tsai ranks #10 in Forbes Richest Owners in Sports. pic.twitter.com/InOqyTyd1z
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 26, 2021
5. Boston Celtics ($3.92 billion)
The Boston Celtics have built their fortune on their historical success, winning 17 NBA championships with Bill Russell starring in 11 of them. Some of the best Celtics players in history include Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, and thats helped attract different generations of fans. With such a strong history of superstars, the Celtics have remained popular and are valued at $3.92 billion, one of the richest teams in the NBA.
4. Chicago Bulls ($4.09 billion)
The Chicago Bulls almost relocated to Kansas City because of poor crowds, with a lowly 891 people watching the Bulls beat the SuperSonics in 1969. Fast forward to today and they’re one of the richest NBA teams valued at $4.09 billion.
‘There’s no doubting that the greatest NBA player of all time Michael Jordan helped turnaround a mediocre franchise. The Bulls won six championships during the 1990s with Jordan, and made them one of the most marketable and richest sports teams in the world.
3. Los Angeles Lakers ($6.44 billion)
Since 2000 the Lakers have won six championships, and along with the Celtics are the most successful team in NBA history. As a result of their success and location they were the most popular NBA team last season and they’ve been able to attract the best players in the league over multiple generations.
Some of the best Lakers players of all time include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaq, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, which is an indication as to why the Lakers are so loved.
2. New York Knicks ($6.58 billion)
Coming in at second place are the New York Knicks who play out of the biggest market and have the best NBA arena in Madison Square Garden. Despite the Knicks not having won a championship since 1973, they’re one of the most popular teams in the league.
The “Big Apple” is able to attract players like Patrick Ewing, Earl Monroe and Carmelo Anthony because of their location. And whether or not the Knicks win or lose, they’ll always be one of the most valuable NBA teams, simply because they’re in New York.
1. Golden State Warriors ($7.56 billion)
The Golden State Warriors are the most valuable NBA team worth $7.56 billion. Their move to the state-of-the-art Chase Center in 2019 is making them bank, with Personal Seat Licenses (PSL) and more expensive tickets making them rich.
Everyone loves a winner and as the most successful team in recent history, the Warriors are able to attract big dollar sponsorship deals. With superstars Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the roster, you can see just why they’re the richest team in the NBA.