Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were one of only two NBA teams worth $1 billion trailing only the New York Knicks according to the Forbes list. Things changed mightily in a year as there are now 11 teams worth that amount.
Something else that changed is the team at the top as the Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA’s most valuable franchise, worth $2.6 billion, according to Forbes:
The Los Angeles Lakers lead the way at $2.6 billion, up 93% over last year. The Lakers finished with their second worst record in franchise history at 27-55 last season and are faring even worse this year, but the team has the richest local TV deal in the sport: a 20-year, $4 billion contract with Time Warner that kicked off in 2012.
The fact that the Lakers’ value could rise so much after one of their worst seasons ever says a lot about how the economy has changed. The NBA signing a new $24 billion TV contract undoubtedly has a lot to do with the rise in worth for these teams.
The Lakers, with their massive local TV deal with Time Warner, will always be one of the league’s highest revenue teams. The team made a league leading $293 million last season despite Kobe Bryant only playing six games.
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Obviously the team on the court isn’t matching the value of the team as a whole, but it is impressive to know that the Lakers are such a valuable franchise despite the on-court product.
The New York Knicks rank second in value at $2.5 billion while the Chicago Bulls ($2 billion), Boston Celtics ($1.7 billion), and Los Angeles Clippers ($1.6 billion) round out the top-five.
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