Forbes has once again crunched the numbers, this time to determine rankings for the most valuable NBA teams in 2021. Much to everyone’s surprise, somehow, the New York Knicks (US$5 billion / AU$6.57 billion) have come out on top for the sixth consecutive year – despite living out an equally lengthy if not lengthier dynasty of rather lacklustre on-court performance.
With the star power of legendary Chicago Bulls player turned coach extraordinaire Steve Kerr, marketing dream Steph Curry, and the ever-dominant Draymond Green, this year, the Golden State Warriors (US$4.7 billion / AU$6.18 billion) have managed to be the first team since the 1999 Bulls to “break the chokehold” long maintained by the Knicks and reigning NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers (US$4.6 billion / AU$6.05 billion); two teams which have perenially occupied the #1 and #2 spot in tandem.
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“Revenue and operating income are for the 2019-20 season and net of revenue sharing and arena debt service,” Forbes explains regarding its methodology behind the most valuable NBA teams of 2021 rankings.
“We use revenue multiples to calculate our team values (equity plus net debt) based on the economics of each team’s current arena deal. Our appraisals are what we think the team would sell for. So while Tsai paid $3.2 billion for the Nets, we think the team is worth more like $2.65 billion because he paid around $1 billion for a money-losing arena business.”
“If a team has a new arena, media deal or sponsorship agreement set to kick in after the 2019-20 season, we estimate its impact on the enterprise value. Our estimated income statements and franchise values include revenue that team owners get from non-NBA events at their arena.”
Check out the most valuable NBA teams for 2021 below.
The Most Valuable NBA Teams For 2021 (According To Forbes)
**All figures converted to USD
1. New York Knicks
Value: $5 billion
One-Year Change: 9%
Operating Income: $178 million
Owner: Madison Square Garden Sports
2. Golden State Warriors
Value: $4.7 billion
One-Year Change: 9%
Operating Income: $200 million
Owner: Joe Lacob, Peter Gruber
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Value: $4.6 billion
One-Year Change: 6%
Operating Income: $155 million
Owner: Jerry Buss Family Trusts, Philip Anschutz
4. Chicago Bulls
Value: $3.3 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $115 million
Owner: Jerry Reinsdorf
5. Boston Celtics
Value: $3.2 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $86 million
Owner: Wycliffe & Irving Grousebeck, Robert Epstein, Stephen Pagliuca
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6. Los Angeles Clippers
Value: $2.75 billion
One-Year Change: 6%
Operating Income: $57 million
Owner: Steve Ballmer
7. Brooklyn Nets
Value: $2.65 billion
One-Year Change: 6%
Operating Income: $44 million
Owner: Joseph Tsai
8. Houston Rockets
Value: $2.5 billion
One-Year Change: 1%
Operating Income: $94 million
Owner: Tilman Fertitta
9. Dallas Mavericks
Value: $2.45 billion
One-Year Change: 2%
Operating Income: $84 million
Owner: Mark Cuban
10. Toronto Raptors
Value: $2.15 billion
One-Year Change: 2%
Operating Income: $79 million
Owner: Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, Larry Tanenbaum
11. Philadelphia 76ers
Value: $2.075 billion
One-Year Change: 4%
Operating Income: $51 million
Owner: Joshua Harris, David Blitzer
12. Miami Heat
Value: $2 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $38 million
Owner: Micky Arison
13. Portland Trail Blazers
Value: $1.9 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $27 million
Owner: Paul G. Allen Trust
14. San Antonio Spurs
Value: $1.85 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $63 million
Owner: Holt Family
15. Sacramento Kings
Value: $1.825 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $45 million
Owner: Vivek Ranadive
16. Washington Wizards
Value: $1.8 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $39 million
Owner: Ted Leonsis
17. Phoenix Suns
Value: $1.7 billion
One-Year Change: 5%
Operating Income: $20 million
Owner: Robert Sarver
18. Utah Jazz
Value: $1.66 billion
One-Year Change: 7%
Operating Income: $42 million
Owner: Ryan & Ashley Smith
19. Denver Nuggets
Value: $1.65 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $27 million
Owner: Stan Kroenke
20. Milwaukee Bucks
Value: $1.625 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $28 million
Owner: Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan
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21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Value: $1.575 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $51 million
Owner: Clayton Bennett, George Kaiser, Aubrey McClendon estate
22. Cleveland Cavaliers
Value: $1.56 billion
One-Year Change: 3%
Operating Income: $46 million
Owner: Dan Gilbert
23. Indiana Pacers
Value: $1.55 billion
One-Year Change: 2%
Operating Income: $39 million
Owner: Herbert Simon, Stephen Simon
24. Atlanta Hawks
Value: $1.52 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $36 million
Owner: Tony Ressler
25. Charlotte Hornets
Value: $1.5 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $36 million
Owner: Michael Jordan
26. Orlando Magic
Value: $1.46 billion
One-Year Change: 2%
Operating Income: $37 million
Owner: DeVos Family
27. Detroit Pistons
Value: $1.45 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $45 million
Owner: Tom Gores
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Value: $1.4 billion
One-Year Change: 2%
Operating Income: $32 million
Owner: Glen Taylor
29. New Orleans Pelicans
Value: $1.35 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $44 million
Owner: Gayle Benson
30. Memphis Grizzlies
Value: $1.3 billion
One-Year Change: 0%
Operating Income: $22 million
Owner: Robert Pera
Source: Forbes
