How Much Does a Football Team Cost in 2024?
Aug 01, 2024
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Business owners and football fans are everywhere, but where are the football owners? There are only a handful of them in the United States, and they’re pretty wealthy. If you want to buy the franchise from them, you’ll have to fork up some serious dough. How much does a football team cost? Here’s a guide on how much money you’ll need to buy your favorite National Football League (NFL) teams.
How Much Does a Football Team Cost in 2024?
Buying a professional sports team requires more than your pocket change. You can’t take a few extra shifts at work and expect to bid for the Atlanta Falcons. You’ll need to win Powerball’s jackpot to be in contention.
So, how much does a football team cost? Forbes provides valuations for all 32 NFL teams based on revenue and operating income. Their experts say the average NFL team was worth over $5.1 billion entering the 2023-2024 season. Valuations have increased because of media rights deals, team sales and other revenue opportunities.
How Much Does a Football Team Cost Compared to Other Sports?
It’s hardly a secret how popular the NFL is in the 2020s. In 2023, the professional gridiron sport occupied 93 of the top 100 American broadcasts. Unsurprisingly, the most popular game in the United States helps the NFL dominate the list of franchise valuations worldwide.
When you look at the 50 most valuable teams, you’ll see 30 NFL teams occupying the rankings despite international entries. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers and Real Madrid are high on the list, but NFL squads are littered everywhere. You may like other sports more, but it’s hard to deny the NFL is king of professional leagues.
What Are the Most Expensive NFL Teams?
If your team is among the most valuable in the NFL, your ownership group is doing something right. How much does a football team cost if yours is in the top five? Here are the most-prized franchises.
5. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are an NFL institution because of their long history. While the Bears only have three playoff appearances since their Super Bowl XLI loss, you can’t deny the team is worth a lot of money. The fifth-ranking team had a value of about $6.3 billion entering the 2023 season, a 9% increase over the previous year.
The Bears have struggled the last few years, but are brighter days on the horizon? Last year’s draft saw Chicago gain Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the first nine picks. Their trajectory is slightly more positive than the next team.
4. New York Giants
If only one New York team made the top five, you had to figure it would be the Giants. The G-Men battle in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions and have storied rivalries. In fact, all four NFC East teams are in the top 10. The Giants’ 2023 valuation was $6.8 billion, gaining 13% from the previous season.
The Giants are in a tough spot for the 2024 season as the four-time Super Bowl champs look to return to their glory days. Selecting Malik Nabers could be what the offense needs to generate points, considering last season’s struggles.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have only been in Los Angeles since 2016, but they’ve risen through the ranks to take the third spot. Stan Kroenke’s Rams have a $6.9 billion value to barely eclipse their New York NFC rival in fourth place. People say Los Angeles is a basketball or baseball town, but football brought in $686 million in revenue for the Rams.
After winning Super Bowl LVI, the Rams have been in a precarious situation. Their undersized defensive tackle Aaron Donald has retired, opening a hole for their frontline. Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp aren’t getting any younger, but Puka Nacua could be the star they need.
2. New England Patriots
The glitz and glamor of New York and Los Angeles are the antithesis of the New England Patriots. However, the Foxborough franchise takes the runner-up spot for franchise valuations at $7 billion. Why are the Patriots so valuable? Their success stems from Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. Without him, the Patriots haven’t been as stellar.
The Patriots are moving to a new era without Brady or former head coach Bill Belichick. Despite their high value, New England’s NFL team only saw a 9% increase in value. Only the Commanders, Packers and Chargers saw lower increases.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are far and away the most valuable team in the NFL. Jerry Jones’ blue-and-white squad has a $9 billion value, which doubles the value of the bottom 10 teams. ESPN, Fox Sports and other sports media outlets focus heavily on the Cowboys because of their substantial size.
The Cowboys aren’t just the most expensive team in the NFL— Forbes says they’re the world’s most valuable pro sports franchise. The team has a long history of winning and entertainment, but its recent records don’t show championships. In fact, the Cowboys have only won four playoff games this century.
How Much Will Football Teams Cost in the Future?
The future of NFL money is bright, so don’t expect the cost of a team to go down. You’ll have a chance at NFL ownership if you strike gold, create a breakthrough invention or get lucky in the stock market. In the meantime, the NFL will continue to make more money.
The latest indication of football wealth is the salary cap increase. The NFL announced that the maximum salary for any team is $255.4 million, up $30 million from past seasons. Franchises will have more flexibility when paying their star players and finding ones from other teams.
Another reason for the rise in value is the NFL’s media rights deal. The league will garner about $110 billion through 2033, making it the most coveted ad space in marketing. There’s a reason why Super Bowl commercials are so expensive for companies to buy.
Watching Money Move on the Field
The NFL occupies your sports schedule at least three times a week in the fall and winter. Its games are must-see TV regardless of who takes the field. The league’s prestige has made it the most valuable sports association worldwide. How much does a football team cost? If you have a billionaire friend, you may have a chance at owning a team.
