The Most Valuable NBA Teams 2024
The 2023-24 NBA season was a financial triumph, generating a record $13 billion in revenue, with further growth anticipated due to lucrative new national media deals set to take effect next season. As a result, the value of NBA franchises has soared, with the league’s 30 teams now averaging $4.4 billion each—up 15% from the previous year. Notably, no team is valued below $3 billion, and three top the $7 billion mark: the Golden State Warriors ($8.8 billion), New York Knicks ($7.5 billion), and Los Angeles Lakers ($7.1 billion). These valuations are only rivaled by a handful of elite sports franchises, such as the $7.55 billion New York Yankees and leading NFL teams.
This surge in franchise values is underpinned by a significant rise in revenue multiples. The average NBA team now has a revenue multiple of 11.7, reflecting strong investor confidence, compared to 10.9 last year and 6.9 a decade ago. This shift marks a departure from the days when Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 was seen as an anomaly with a then-record multiple exceeding 15.
The Clippers, moving to the new $2 billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood, exemplify the evolving financial landscape. After sharing Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers and Kings, their new venue promises a substantial increase in premium seating and sponsorship opportunities, highlighted by a 23-year, $500 million naming rights deal. This annual average of $21.7 million is the highest in the NBA, showcasing the league’s growing ability to attract major sponsorships. The NBA’s financial success, reflected in rising franchise valuations and investor interest, underscores basketball’s booming popularity and the league’s strong revenue potential.