NFL Team Valuations Continue to Soar

The Cowboys are now worth some $10.3 billion: a 12% increase from last year’s $9.2 billion valuation, and an impressive feat for a team that hasn’t even appeared in a Super Bowl since 1996. Although the Cowboys topped Sportico’s list, the Miami Dolphins saw the biggest increase in the top 10, with their estimated valuation jumping 29%, driven by big-name signings and Miami’s booming real estate market.

At the heart of these sky-high valuations are the NFL’s colossal TV deals. The sport’s structure is tailor-made for modern marketing, with commercials easily inserted between plays. This, plus a huge fanbase that ensures the sport dominates the most watched television broadcasts, has helped the league secure the most lucrative TV sports deal to date — a record ~$110 billion, 11-year contract.