The modern demise of cable television has had many repercussions. One of the biggest is the live rights boom. In a fractured pop culture and media landscape, sports is one of the last monocultures left.
Those shifting tides have been an incredible boon for sports franchise valuations, which have rocketed upward in recent decades.
Just 10 years ago, historical losers like the Los Angeles Clippers and Carolina Panthers were selling for $2 billion. Now, even that feels quaint.
For anyone trying to keep up with the rapid sales and growth of these monster franchises, here’s a handy chart to keep all the details straight. I’ve limited the inputs here to North American franchises in major sports.
I’ve also included deals where only a controlling stake was passed without 100% ownership.
North American Sports Franchise Sales: Highest Valuations
| Ranking | Franchise | Sales Price | Year of Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Lakers | $10 Billion | 2025 |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | $6.1 Billion | 2025 |
| 3 | Washington Commanders | $6.05 Billion | 2023 |
| 4 | Denver Broncos | $4.65 Billion | 2022 |
| 5 | Phoenix Suns (and Mercury) | $4 Billion | 2023 |
| 6 | Dallas Mavericks | $3.5 Billion | 2023 |
| 7 | Charlotte Hornets | $3 Billion | 2023 |
| 8 | New York Mets | $2.4 Billion | 2020 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Nets | $2.35 Billion | 2019 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers | $2.28 Billion | 2018 |
| 11 | Houston Rockets | $2.2 Billion | 2017 |
| T-12 | Los Angeles Dodgers | $2 Billion | 2012 |
| T-12 | Los Angeles Clippers | $2 Billion | 2014 |
Most Expensive Sports Franchise Sale
In June 2025, the Lakers reset the entire market for sports franchise sales. The Buss family sold the glamorous Los Angeles Lakers to minority owner Mark Walter at a valuation of $10 billion.
It’s the largest and most expensive valuation of any sports franchise – by far.
Most Recent Sports Franchise Sale
Prior to the Lakers’ sale, the most recent sale was the Boston Celtics’ sale – also in 2025 – which was a market reset of its own at $6.1 billion.
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