KC Royals, and nearly every other MLB team, are worth more after lockout, Forbes says
The Royals’ place didn’t change in Forbes’ list of annual valuations of Major League Baseball teams, but the team’s value increased 5% from 2021.
Forbes put the Royals at No. 28 on its list, the same as a year ago. But the Royals are now worth $1.11 billion, up from $1.06 billion in 2021.
The Royals had $47 million in operating income, the magazine said. Forbes noted the Royals received a new revenue stream from U.S. Bank.
“U.S. Bank started a new multi-year sponsorship with the Royals in March in which the bank will become the presenting partner of the annual Salute to the Negro Leagues game and of the Gloves for Kids community program,” Forbes wrote. “The deal will also include outfield wall signage at Kauffman Stadium. U.S. Bank led all the bank financing for the Royals’ new ownership transition in November 2019 when John Sherman purchased the team from David Glass for $1 billion.”
The average valuation for each Major League Baseball team was calculated at $2.07 billion, and all but two franchises increased in value from a year ago. The Baltimore Orioles’ value dropped while the Miami Marlins value was the same.
Forbes noted Major League Baseball owners came out of the lockout, which ended earlier this month, in good financial shape.
“Along with five years of labor peace, which provides economic stability, the new CBA introduces two new sources of sponsorship revenue, expected to begin with the 2023 season: jersey patches and helmet decals,” Forbes’ Mike Ozanian and Justin Teitelbaum wrote. “That prospect has helped push up the average value of Major League teams 9% over last year, to an all-time high of $2.07 billion, the biggest increase in four years.
“Big-market teams are likely to benefit the most from the new sponsorships, which is one reason the New York Yankees are now the first baseball team worth $6 billion and trail only the Dallas Cowboys ($6.5 billion) among the sports world’s most valuable teams.”
The authors also mentioned expanded playoff field, up two teams to 12, will bring in more money for Major League Baseball.
Here is the full list of team valuations.
1. New York Yankees, $6 billion
2. Los Angeles Dodgers, $4.075 billion
3. Boston Red Sox, $3.9 billion
4. Chicago Cubs, $3.8 billion
5. San Francisco Giants, $3.5 billion
6. New York Mets, $2.65 billion
7. St. Louis Cardinals, $2.45 billion
8. Philadelphia Phillies, $2.3 billion
9. Los Angeles, Angels, $2.2 billion
10. Atlanta Braves, $2.1 billion
11. Texas Rangers, $2.05 billion
12. Washington Nationals, $2 billion
13. Houston Astros, $1.98 billion
14. Toronto Blue Jays, $1.78 billion
15. Chicago White Sox, $ 1.76 billion
16. Seattle Mariners, $1.76 billion
17. San Diego Padres, $1.575 billion
18. Detroit Tigers, $1.4 billion
19. Minnesota Twins, $1.39 billion
20. Colorado Rockies, $1.385 billion
21. Arizona Diamondbacks, $1.38 billion
22. Baltimore Orioles, $1.375 billion
23. Pittsburgh Pirates, $1.32 billion
24. Cleveland Guardians, $1.3 billion
25. Milwaukee Brewers, $1.28 billion
26. Cincinnati Reds, $1.19 billion
27. Oakland A’s, $1.18 billion
28. Royals, $1.11 billion
29. Tampa Bay Rays, $1.1 billion
30. Miami Marlins, $990 million
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 9:33 AM.
