10 Highest-Valued Sports Teams in the U.S.

baseball — Love 'em or hate 'em, the NY Yankees have a globally recognized brand that's worth a lot of money. Debby Wong / Shutterstock

The highest-valued sports teams in the United States sit at the intersection of winning streaks, storied history, and money. These franchises dominate Forbes rankings year after year thanks to media deals, loyal fan bases and strong league structures.

While the world’s most valuable sports teams include global soccer clubs, this list focuses only on U.S. professional teams.

Across the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the NBA, valuable sports teams generate revenue far beyond ticket sales. Television contracts, sponsorships and brand power have pushed franchise values to record highs over the last decade.

Contents

Dallas Cowboys
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors
New York Giants
New England Patriots
New York Knicks
San Francisco 49ers
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams

1. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys consistently claim the top spot as the most valuable team in U.S. sports. Competing in the NFL, the Cowboys benefit from a stadium built for revenue generation. Forbes regularly lists them at the highest figure among all sports franchises.

2. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees lead the MLB in value and global recognition. Their brand stretches far beyond baseball, supported by decades of championships, media influence, and merchandising power.

Among MLB teams, no franchise generates more money or cultural presence.

3. Los Angeles Lakers

The LA Lakers rank as one of the most consistently valuable teams in the NBA.

Success on the court, star players, and a strong Los Angeles market drive their value. Basketball dominance and entertainment appeal keep the Lakers near the top of Forbes rankings.

4. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors surged in recent years due to championships, a modern arena, and a booming Bay Area economy. Their rise shows how winning and market timing can rapidly elevate a valuable sports franchise.

5. New York Giants

The New York Giants remain one of the NFL’s most valuable teams despite mixed on-field results. A large market, historic success, and strong league revenue sharing keep the franchise near the top.

6. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots built enormous value during a Super Bowl–heavy run that included six Super Bowl titles.

Sustained success, national exposure and consistent leadership helped cement their financial standing.

7. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks prove that market size matters. Even without recent championships, the team’s Madison Square Garden location and New York audience keep it among the NBA’s most valuable teams.

8. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers benefit from a strong regional economy and deep franchise history. Recent competitiveness has helped reinforce their position among top NFL teams.

9. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears carry one of football’s oldest brands. Loyal fans and league-wide revenue growth support their high valuation, even during rebuilding periods.

10. Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams round out the list thanks to a Super Bowl win, a state-of-the-art stadium, and a major media market. Their move back to Los Angeles significantly boosted franchise value.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.