For the 2018-19 season, the Los Angeles Lakers were listed as #2 of the most valuable NBA franchise list made by Forbes. A year later, the Jeanie Buss-led franchise now found themselves sitting on the third spot even after winning the 2020 NBA Championship back in October.
By the end of the 2019-20 season, the Purple and Gold were listed to have a valuation of $4.600 billion with an operating income of $155 million. The Lakers now trail the Golden State Warriors led by Joe Lacob who took the second spot in the list with a valuation of $4.700 billion along with an operating income of $200 million.
Topping the list is the James Dolan-owned New York Knicks that are estimated to have a valuation of $500 billion and a $178 million operating income.
According to Forbes, the team valuations were calculated using revenue multiples which are based on the franchise's current arena deal. The enterprise value of the teams is expected to change after the 2019-20 season in the event that a new media deal or a sponsorship agreement was acquired in the year prior.
It has been a tough season for the league as teams are still trying to recuperate from the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, team values only gained an average of a 4% increase which is the smallest since the 2010 season. Nonetheless, teams based in prime destinations like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are expected to remain as attractive assets for the years to come. The Lakers value is expected to rise as well.
The numbers are expected to increase once the league and its teams get to fully recover from their losses. Having a limited number of fans in attendance during games certainly serves as a step in the right direction for the teams amid the current situation.
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