The top 10 most valuable NBA franchises in 2024

The NBA had an emerging global presence in the 1990’s, but that has since skyrocketed in the last 30 years. Most teams feature at least one international player born outside of the United States, and interest in professional basketball continues to rise. We’ll take a look at the franchises who lead the NBA in valuation. All figures are sourced from Forbes.

The Raptors are Canada’s team, which has a built in advantage when it comes to monopolizing the basketball interests of a country. Since entering the league in the mid 1990’s Toronto has built one of the most passionate fan bases in the NBA. The Raptors’ merchandise sales may spike in the coming years, as the team traded for Canadian favorite son R.J. Barrett in late December 2023.

The 76ers have made a habit of employing some of the most entertaining players in the league throughout their history. Whether it’s Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson or Joel Embiid, Philadelphia has had an iconic player to call their own in several eras. The 76ers are looking to win their first title since the early 1980’s.

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Many might be surprised to see the Rockets on this list, but their positioning in a major United States city helps their bottom line immensely. Houston has also had their fair share of relevant teams throughout the years, including the back to back champions in 1994 and 1995. They also are extremely popular in China thanks to Yao Ming’s stint with the team in the 2000’s.

The booming Mavericks stock can largely be attributed to the successful measures taken by Mark Cuban. He bought the team in 2000, when they ranked near the bottom of the league in valuation at $167 million. Cuban focused on top of the line amenities in the locker room for both the Mavericks and visiting players, and his investment in the team has paid off handsomely.

Perhaps every NBA franchise owes a debt of gratitude to the Bulls. If not for Chicago’s run of six titles in the 1990’s, the league might not have attracted so much attention throughout the world. Since Michael Jordan left the team after the 1998 season, Chicago hasn’t returned to the mountaintop, but still lives off of the glory days from a revenue perspective.

The Clippers have been the laughingstock of the NBA for multiple decades, but Steve Ballmer is doing everything he can to shed that reputation for the franchise. His ownership tenure has featured big swings that have brought top tier talent to the team. The Clippers are also moving to their own new arena that will open in the 2024-2025 campaign.

The Celtics are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most NBA titles at 17, which makes them one of the most storied franchises in sports. Boston’s valuation should remain in the top five in perpetuity as long as they avoid any prolonged drought in the standings. They have a great chance to hang an 18^th championship banner at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.

The Lakers have had the great fortune of being able to print money throughout their history, and perhaps it’s a touch surprising that they aren’t the most valuable team in the NBA. Los Angeles’ games are hot ticket events, as celebrities and basketball die-hards alike pack the STAPLES Center to watch the legendary squad.

Playing at “the mecca” of basketball, Madison Square Garden and the Knicks are synonymous with putting on a show. While New York hasn’t competed for a championship in a couple of decades, their brand allows them to remain relevant in pop culture and merchandise sales. Ticket prices have also remained steady even during the lean years.

This valuation is one reason why fans are adamant that Golden State pay Stephen Curry whatever he wants. Prior to his arrival, the Warriors had been an entertaining team, but not a team that won at the highest level. Curry’s excellence has helped Golden State’s owners move the team to San Francisco, where they now play at the Chase Center.

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