Forbes list of the most valuable NBA teams

The home arena of the Golden State Warriors, the most valuable NBA team as of the 2021–22 NBA season.

Forbes compiles the finances of all 30 NBA teams to produce an annual ranking of the best franchises in terms of valuation. The valuations are composed of the monetary worth of the sport, market, stadium deals, and brand.[1] These areas are supported by applying financial metrics such as debt and operating income to each one.[2]

The latest ranking reported that the Golden State Warriors is the most valuable NBA franchise after the 2021–22 NBA season.[3] The fastest growing NBA franchise is also the Toronto Raptors, with a 100% increase in valuation since the 2017–18 NBA season ($3.5 to $7 billion).[1] The Warriors became the third NBA team to hold the title as the most valuable franchise since the launch of the ranking in the 1991–92 NBA season, with the other two being the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.[4][5][2]

Several media outlets have referenced in related news or conducts analytic journalism when the ranking comes out, such as The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.[6][7] The NBA has consistently recognized the renditions of the ranking.[8][9] The report has also applied more context to NBA trends, such as the financial impact of Ja Morant leveraging the Memphis Grizzlies into playoff relevancy.[10] Financial trends in terms of 1-year increases have been more favorable for Memphis, most notably revenue after acquiring Ja Morant.[11]

Ranking

Rankings as of October 27, 2022 (2021–22 NBA season)[2]

Rank Swing[a] Team State/
Province		 Value[b] Change[c] Debt[d] Revenue[e] Operating Income[f]
1 Increase 2 Golden State Warriors  California $7.7 billion Increase 91.2% 13% $800 million $250 million
2 Decrease 1 New York Knicks  New York $6.6 billion Increase 630.6% 62% $278 million $92 million
3 Decrease 1 Los Angeles Lakers  California $6.4 billion Increase 59% 1% $465 million $115 million
4 Steady Boston Celtics  Massachusetts $4.7 billion Increase 42.9% 5% $361 million $326.5 million
5 Increase 3 Los Angeles Clippers  California $4.65 billion Increase 77.3% 2% $362 million $12 million
6 Steady Chicago Bulls  Illinois $4.6 billion Increase 41.4% 4% $352 million $135 million
7 Steady Dallas Mavericks  Texas $4.5 billion Increase 46.7% 3% $364 million $143 million
8 Decrease 2 Houston Rockets  Texas $4.4 billion Increase 39.1% 6% $350 million $113 million
9 Increase 6 Philadelphia 76ers  Pennsylvania 4.3 billion Increase 90.9% 4% $345 million $87 million
10 Increase 2 Toronto Raptors  Ontario $4.1 billion Increase 100% 32% $305 million $75 million
11 Increase 4 Phoenix Suns  Arizona $4 billion Increase 80% 9% $302 million $87 million
12 Decrease 2 Miami Heat  Florida $3.9 billion Increase 71.4% 14% $326 million $83 million
13 Decrease 1 Brooklyn Nets  New York $3.85 billion Increase 48.9% 8% $405 million –$34 million
14 Increase 2 Washington Wizards  Washington, D.C. $3.5 billion Increase 61.3% 7% $291 million $90 million
15 Decrease 1 Denver Nuggets  Colorado $3.38 billion Increase 40.4% 15% $273 million $67 million
16 Increase 7 Milwaukee Bucks  Wisconsin $2.3 billion Increase 70.4% 14% $352 million $51 million
17 Decrease 2 Portland Trail Blazers  Oregon $2.1 billion Increase 31.3% 9% $291 million $81 million
18 Increase 8 Cleveland Cavaliers  Ohio $2.05 billion Increase 60.8% 11% $325 million $74 million
19 Decrease 3 Sacramento Kings  California $2.03 billion Increase 28.9% 28% $279 million $29 million
20 Steady Utah Jazz  Utah $2.025 billion Increase 42.1% 15% $308 million $58 million
21 Decrease 7 San Antonio Spurs  Texas $2 billion Increase 23.1% 9% $306 million $99 million
22 Increase 3 Atlanta Hawks  Georgia $1.975 billion Increase 51.9% 13% $282 million $84 million
23 Decrease 6 Oklahoma City Thunder  Oklahoma $1.875 billion Increase 27.1% 10% $274 million $129 million
24 Decrease 2 Orlando Magic  Florida $1.85 billion Increase 39.65 11% $272 million $98 million
25 Decrease 6 Indiana Pacers  Indiana $1.8 billion Increase 28.6% 14% $264 million $65 million
26 Increase 1 Charlotte Hornets  North Carolina $1.7 billion Increase 39.4% 12% $269 million $94 million
27 Decrease 1 Minnesota Timberwolves  Minnesota $1.67 billion Increase 32.5% 14% $271 million $87 million
28 Increase 1 Memphis Grizzlies  Tennessee $1.65 billion Increase 37.5% 22% $272 million $107 million
29 Decrease 1 New Orleans Pelicans  Louisiana $1.6 billion Increase 31.1% 14% $268 million $94 million

Composition

A pie chart that represents the composition of valuation for the average NBA team.

  Sport (47.1%)
  Market (28.7%)
  Stadium (14.6%)
  Brand (9.6%)
Team[g] Value[b] Sport[h] Market[i] Stadium[j] Brand[k]
Golden State Warriors $7.7 billion $1.346 billion $3.060 billion $2.293 billion $0.911 billion
New York Knicks $6.1 billion $1.354 billion $2.821 billion $1.062 billion $0.863 billion
Los Angeles Lakers $5.9 billion $1.373 billion $2.872 billion $0.758 billion $0.897 billion
Chicago Bulls $4.1 billion $1.444 billion $1.437 billion $0.765 billion $0.454 billion
Boston Celtics $4 billion $1.353 billion $1.475 billion $0.665 billion $0.506 billion
Los Angeles Clippers $3.9 billion $1.715 billion $1.318 billion $0.425 billion $0.443 billion
Brooklyn Nets $3.5 billion $1.286 billion $1.161 billion $0.673 billion $0.381 billion
Dallas Mavericks $3.3 billion $1.082 billion $1.273 billion $0.517 billion $0.428 billion
Houston Rockets $3.2 billion $1.153 billion $1.105 billion $0.615 billion $0.328 billion
Philadelphia 76ers $3.15 billion $1.234 billion $1.029 billion $0.497 billion $0.390 billion
Toronto Raptors $3.1 billion $1.561 billion $0.722 billion $0.497 billion $0.321 billion
Miami Heat $3 billion $1.199 billion $1.020 billion $0.457 billion $0.324 billion
Phoenix Suns $2.7 billion $1.335 billion $0.711 billion $0.399 billion $0.255 billion
Washington Wizards $2.5 billion $1.339 billion $0.644 billion $0.300 billion $0.217 billion
Milwaukee Bucks $2.3 billion $0.970 billion $0.680 billion $0.414 billion $0.237 billion
Portland Trail Blazers $2.1 billion $1.140 billion $0.509 billion $0.268 billion $0.182 billion
Cleveland Cavaliers $2.05 billion $0.828 billion $0.652 billion $0.359 billion $0.211 billion
Sacramento Kings $2.03 billion $0.964 billion $0.535 billion $0.324 billion $0.206 billion
Utah Jazz $2.025 billion $1.070 billion $0.496 billion $0.302 billion $0.157 billion
San Antonio Spurs $2 billion $0.996 billion $0.527 billion $0.339 billion $0.138 billion
Atlanta Hawks $1.975 billion $1.120 billion $0.448 billion $0.237 billion $0.170 billion
Denver Nuggets $1.93 billion $1.156 billion $0.390 billion $0.244 billion $0.140 billion
Detroit Pistons $1.9 billion $1.113 billion $0.473 billion $0.174 billion $0.140 billion
Oklahoma City Thunder $1.875 billion $1.111 billion $0.408 billion $0.215 billion $0.142 billion
Orlando Magic $1.85 billion $1.110 billion $0.402 billion $0.203 billion $0.135 billion
Indiana Pacers $1.8 billion $1.219 billion $0.296 billion $0.182 billion $0.103 billion
Charlotte Hornets $1.7 billion $1.116 billion $0.319 billion $0.162 billion $0.102 billion
Minnesota Timberwolves $1.67 billion $1.042 billion $0.351 billion $0.157 billion $0.119 billion
Memphis Grizzlies $1.65 billion $1.028 billion $0.357 billion $0.155 billion $0.110 billion
New Orleans Pelicans $1.6 billion $1.055 billion $0.259 billion $0.190 billion $0.095 billion

Historical valuations

Historical valuations (in US$ millions) by NBA team[g]
Team 2022–23 2021–22 2020–21 2019–20 2018–19 2017–18 2016–17 2015–16 2014–15 2013–14 2012–13
Golden State Warriors 7,700 7,000 5,600 4,700 4,300 3,500 3,100 2,600 1,900 1,300 750
New York Knicks 6,600 6,100 5,800 5,000 4,600 4,000 3,600 3,300 3,000 2,500 1,400
Los Angeles Lakers 6,400 5,900 5,500 4,600 4,400 3,700 3,300 3,000 2,700 2,600 1,400
Boston Celtics 4,700 4,000 3,550 3,200 3,100 2,800 2,500 2,200 2,100 1,700 875
Los Angeles Clippers 4,650 3,900 3,300 2,800 2,600 2,200 2,200 2,000 2,000 1,600 575
Chicago Bulls 4,600 4,100 3,650 3,300 3,200 2,900 2,600 2,500 2,300 2,000 1,000
Dallas Mavericks 4,500 3,300 2,700 2,500 2,400 2,300 1,900 1,500 1,400 1,200 765
Houston Rockets 4,400 3,200 2,750 2,500 2,500 2,300 2,200 1,700 1,500 1,300 775
Philadelphia 76ers 4,300 3,150 2,450 2,100 2,000 1,700 1,200 800 700 700 469
Toronto Raptors 4,100 3,100 2,475 2,200 2,100 1,700 1,400 1,100 980 920 520
Phoenix Suns 4,000 2,700 1,800 1,700 1,600 1,500 1,300 1,100 1,000 910 565
Miami Heat 3,900 3,000 2,300 2,000 2,000 1,800 1,700 1,400 1,300 1,200 770
Brooklyn Nets 3,850 3,500 3,200 2,700 2,500 2,400 2,300 1,800 1,700 1,500 780
Washington Wizards 3,500 2,500 1,925 1,800 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,000 960 900 485
Denver Nuggets 3,380 1,930 1,725 1,700 1,600 1,400 1,100 890 855 855 495
Cleveland Cavaliers 3,350 2,050 1,650 1,600 1,500 1,300 1,300 1,200 1,100 915 515
Sacramento Kings 3,330 2,030 2,000 1,800 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,100 925 800 550
Atlanta Hawks 3,330 1,975 1,680 1,500 1,500 1,300 1,200 885 825 825 425
San Antonio Spurs 3,250 2,000 1,980 1,900 1,800 1,600 1,600 1,200 1,200 1,000 660
Milwaukee Bucks 3,200 2,300 1,900 1,600 1,600 1,400 1,100 785 675 600 405
Utah Jazz 3,090 2,025 1,750 1,700 1,600 1,400 1,200 910 875 850 525
Portland Trail Blazers 3,080 2,100 2,050 1,900 1,900 1,600 1,300 1,100 975 940 587
Detroit Pistons 3,080 1,900 1,580 1,500 1,500 1,300 1,100 900 850 810 450
Oklahoma City Thunder 3,050 1,875 1,630 1,600 1,600 1,500 1,300 1,000 950 930 590
Charlotte Hornets 3,000 1,700 1,575 1,500 1,500 1,300 1,100 780 750 725 410
Orlando Magic 2,950 1,850 1,640 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 920 900 875 560
Indiana Pacers 2,900 1,800 1,670 1,600 1,500 1,400 1,200 880 840 830 475
New Orleans Pelicans 2,550 1,600 1,525 1,400 1,400 1,200 1,000 750 650 650 420
Minnesota Timberwolves 2,500 1,670 1,550 1,400 1,400 1,300 1,100 770 720 625 430
Memphis Grizzlies 2,400 1,650 1,500 1,300 1,300 1,200 1,000 790 780 750 453

Notes

  1. ^ Movement of spots in the ranking from the 2017–18 NBA season to the 2021–22 NBA season.
  2. ^ a b Value of team (in USD) based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending), without deduction for debt (other than stadium debt).
  3. ^ Change of valuation from the 2016–17 NBA season to the 2020–21 NBA season.
  4. ^ Expressed as the percentage of valuation that is debt. Includes stadium debt.
  5. ^ Revenue in USD.
  6. ^ Earnings (in USD) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
  7. ^ a b Financial data taken from each team profile on Forbes.
  8. ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to revenue shared among all teams.
  9. ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its city and market size.
  10. ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its arena.
  11. ^ Portion of franchise's value attributable to its brand.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Golden State Warriors Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "The NBA's Most Valuable Teams (2022–23)". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  3. ^ "The Business of Basketball List". Forbes. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  4. ^ "How the $7 billion Warriors built the most valuable franchise in the NBA". San Francisco Chronicle. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Warriors land at No. 1 on Forbes NBA team valuations list for first time". Yahoo!. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  6. ^ Deb, Sopan (23 November 2021). "Are the Knicks and Lakers Really Worth $5 Billion?". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Where Do Mavs Rank Among Forbes' Most Valuable NBA Franchises?". Sports Illustrated. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Forbes: NBA teams worth $2.12 billion on average". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Forbes: NBA teams worth $1.9 billion on average". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Red hot and blue: Sizzling Grizzlies and Morant net national attention, economic fortunes". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 29 March 2022.