According to Sportico, the average NBA franchise is now valued at $5.51 billion, a 20 percent increase year-over-year and 113 percent higher than in 2022.
Altogether, the league’s 30 teams now carry a combined valuation of $165 billion, driven largely by the new $76 billion media rights agreement and major arena development projects.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts described the current state of the league with optimism, saying, “Never had a moment like this where you could be as optimistic as I am … I really feel like we have the best ahead of us.”
The Golden State Warriors remain the NBA’s most valuable team at $11.33 billion, behind only the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys at $12.8 billion.
The Los Angeles Lakers have climbed to $10 billion in valuation, passing the New York Knicks at $9.85 billion. The league’s average value-to-revenue multiple sits at 13.5, ahead of all other major U.S. sports leagues.
Golden State’s valuation is boosted by ownership of its arena, league-leading sponsorship income, and its WNBA affiliate, the Golden State Valkyries, valued at $500 million and notable for becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its debut season.
The NBA’s new media deal with Amazon, ESPN/ABC, and NBC raises annual television revenue per team from $103 million to $143 million, with guaranteed seven percent increases through 2036.
The entry point for franchise ownership has surged, with the Memphis Grizzlies valued at $4 billion – 2.5 times their value in 2022.
Major recent sales include the Boston Celtics at $6.1 billion, the Lakers’ pending $10 billion deal, and the Trail Blazers at $4.25 billion.
The league is also preparing for possible expansion in Europe with a proposed 16-team launch in 2027 and the development of a 12-team Basketball Africa League with dedicated arenas.
Welts highlighted the global potential of the NBA, stating, “The international opportunity is multiple of what the domestic U.S. sports market is… The technology will allow anybody, anywhere in the world to consume any NBA game.”
New arenas are in progress in Oklahoma City for 2028 and in Philadelphia for 2030, while the Mavericks are exploring new arena locations after two decades at the American Airlines Center.
NBA Team Valuations Reach $5.51 Billion Average, Up 20 Percent From 2024 https://t.co/FBhXeyw6CK
— RealGM (@RealGM) October 16, 2025
