The Golden State Warriors are still the most valuable NBA franchise. Forbes puts them at $13.5 billion in 2026. That is up 23% from a year earlier. It is their fifth straight year at No. 1. They brought in about $942 million last season. That was at least $300 million more than any other NBA team. Among U.S. sports teams, only the Dallas Cowboys made more.
NBA teams are worth a lot across the board. The average team is now worth $6.1 billion. That is up 14% from $5.4 billion last year. It is up 147% from $2.5 billion in 2021. Every team is worth at least $4 billion. The cheapest way into the league has jumped 167% in five years. It went from $1.5 billion to $4 billion.
Forbes estimates league revenue neared $14 billion in the 2025-26 regular season. That includes money from non-NBA events at team arenas. It was a 12% rise from a year earlier. This was the first season of the NBA’s 11-year, $76 billion national TV package. The fall of Main Street Sports Group took local TV homes away from 16 teams. Those teams had to scramble for new options. Tens of millions in yearly revenue were put at risk. Forbes estimates the 16 clubs got an average of $13 million from local media rights in 2025-26.
The average NBA team is now valued at 13.1 times the prior season’s average team revenue. That was 8.6 times four years ago. That is higher than the NHL at 8.9, MLS at 8.9 and MLB at 7. It is also above the WNBA at 12.5 and NWSL at 11.1. The Trail Blazers are at 10.4 times revenue. The Lakers are at 20 times. That spread is wider than in other big North American men’s leagues. It suggests the big money may not be reaching the smaller clubs.
Most Valuable NBA Franchise in 2026
1. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are the most valuable franchise at $14.5 billion. That is a 28% jump from $11.33 billion a year earlier. CNBC had a lower figure of $10.8 billion in early 2026. Joe Lacob and Peter Guber bought the team for $450 million in 2010. The Warriors made $895 million in 2024-25 after revenue sharing. They play at Chase Center, which opened in 2019 and seats 18,064. The big edge is that the Warriors own their arena.
2. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are No. 2. Sportico puts them at $12.8 billion. That is a 30% rise from a year earlier. Forbes says $12.6 billion. The wide range comes partly from the team being tied to a publicly traded asset. Madison Square Garden Sports, led by James Dolan, owns the team. The Knicks have never been lower than No. 3 in Forbes’ NBA list since it began in 1998. Their 2026 NBA Finals run ended a 53-year title wait. It brought in about $140 million in new revenue. It also pushed MSG Sports shares to an all-time high.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are No. 3 at $12.5 billion. Their value is tied to a record sale. In August 2026, a group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to buy a controlling interest from Mark Walter. The price was $12.5 billion. That broke the record for a U.S. sports franchise sale. Walter had set that record less than a year earlier. He bought the team from the Buss family for $10 billion in 2025. The new deal still needs league approval.
4. Los Angeles Clipper
The Los Angeles Clippers are No. 4 at $8.21 billion, according to Sportico. Forbes puts them at $7.5 billion. CNBC says $6.9 billion. Steve Ballmer bought the Clippers for $2 billion in 2014. At the time, many thought that was far too much. But the deal lifted the average NBA team value by 74% in one year. The Intuit Dome itself is valued at about $2 billion.
5. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are No. 5 at $8.13 billion, according to Sportico. That is a big jump from CNBC’s $6.45 billion earlier in 2026. Forbes had $6 billion in mid-2026. The Bulls have six championships. Jerry Reinsdorf bought the team for $16.2 million in 1985. The Bulls have long avoided the luxury tax. They favour profit over big roster spending.
FAQs
Q. Which is the most valuable NBA franchise in 2026?
A. The Golden State Warriors lead the list with a valuation of $13.5 billion.
Q. How much are the New York Knicks worth in 2026?
A. The New York Knicks are valued at $12.6 billion.
Q. What is the average NBA team worth in 2026?
A. The average NBA team is valued at $6.1 billion.
Q. How much revenue did the NBA generate in the 2025-26 season?
A. Forbes estimates that NBA revenue reached nearly $14 billion.
Q. Which cities are being considered for NBA expansion?
A. Las Vegas and Seattle are being explored as potential expansion markets.
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