The Golden State Warriors have emerged as the most valuable NBA team, with a staggering valuation of $9.4 billion. This remarkable financial achievement marks a significant milestone for the Warriors, who have seen their value soar with a 24% compound annual growth rate since 2010. Renowned for their on-court success, the Warriors have clinched four NBA titles over the past decade, solidifying their dominance in the league.
Their move to the state-of-the-art Chase Center in 2019 has been a pivotal factor in their financial ascent. Owned by the franchise, this arena allows the Warriors to generate significant revenue from non-NBA events, further boosting their financial standing. The Warriors' financial prowess is underscored by their impressive revenue generation, raking in $781 million during the 2023-24 season, the highest in the NBA.
At the helm of this basketball powerhouse is two-time league MVP Stephen Curry, whose leadership and on-court brilliance continue to be instrumental in the team's success. The Warriors' financial and sporting achievements place them at the pinnacle of the NBA's valuation ladder.
In a broader context, the NBA recently secured a lucrative new media rights package worth $76 billion over 11 years, set to commence with the 2025-26 season. This groundbreaking deal averages $6.9 billion annually, representing a nearly 160% increase over the current agreement. The league's financial strength is further reflected in the average valuation of an NBA team, which stands at $4.66 billion.
In comparison to other major sports leagues, the NBA's average team value positions it between the National Football League (NFL), with an average team value of $6.49 billion, and the National Hockey League (NHL), where teams average $1.92 billion.
While the Warriors lead the pack, there exists a notable variance in team valuations across the league. The Memphis Grizzlies, for example, hold the position of the NBA's least valuable team with a valuation of $3.2 billion. Despite being at the lower end of the spectrum, the Grizzlies have demonstrated financial growth with a 19% annual increase in value since 2012.