NFL franchise valuations surge to record highs as Cowboys hit $15.5bn landmark

NFL franchise valuations have surged to unprecedented levels, with the average team now worth $9.34 billion. This represents a 31 per cent year-on-year increase from the previous average of $7.13 billion, marking the largest single-year jump in the league’s value in over a decade, according to Sportico’s annual report.

The Dallas Cowboys remain the definitive standard for the league, holding a valuation of $15.5 billion. They are the first professional sports team to cross the $15 billion threshold, having maintained the top spot since Sportico began publishing its rankings in 2020. Despite missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons and failing to reach a conference title game since 1995, the franchise’s cultural standing continues to drive its market dominance.

In a significant shift in ownership dynamics, the Seattle Seahawks announced a record-breaking $9.6 billion sale to a group led by Vinod Khosla. This figure is 59 per cent higher than the previous record of $6.05 billion set by Josh Harris for the Washington Commanders in 2023. The transaction, which is the largest in league history, will be put to a vote by NFL owners on 26 August. It marks the first ownership change for the Seahawks since the late Paul Allen purchased the team for $194 million in 1997, with proceeds stipulated to go to the Paul G. Allen Foundation.

Market power within the NFL extends well beyond the top tier. The Cincinnati Bengals, valued at $7.4 billion, hold the lowest price tag in the league for the seventh consecutive year. Yet, their valuation exceeds that of only six non-NFL clubs globally, including the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Real Madrid.

Other franchises have also seen substantial revaluations. The New York Jets climbed to the fifth-most-valuable team with a $10.35 billion assessment, a 28 per cent increase driven by market size and commercial deals rather than on-field success. The Atlanta Falcons entered the top ten at $9.78 billion, a 39 per cent rise aided by revenue streams from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Meanwhile, the New York Giants slipped to fourth across all sports due to the reported $12.5 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, despite holding a $12 billion valuation. The Green Bay Packers, owned by a public non-profit corporation, remain valued at $8.59 billion, ranking 22nd in the NFL.