Forbes compiles the finances of all 29 MLS teams to produce an annual ranking of the best franchises in terms of valuation. The valuations are composed of various variables in financial information and transaction data reported by several team executives.[1] These areas are supported by applying financial metrics such as revenue and operating income to each one.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/LAFC_vs_Philadelphia_Union_%282018%29_by_Subashwilfred.jpg/300px-LAFC_vs_Philadelphia_Union_%282018%29_by_Subashwilfred.jpg)
The latest ranking reported that Los Angeles FC is the most valuable MLS franchise after the 2023 Major League Soccer season.[3] The fastest growing MLS franchise is Inter Miami CF with a 72% increase in valuation since the 2022 Major League Soccer season with the arrival of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. Los Angeles FC became the new team for highest valuation after Atlanta United FC was number one in 2019.[4]
Several media outlets have referenced in related news or conducts analytic journalism when the ranking comes out, such as The Cincinnati Enquirer and American City Business Journals.[5][6] MLS has consistently recognized the renditions of the ranking.[7][8] The report has also applied more context to MLS trends, such as the decrease in valuation in relationship with the decrease in attendance for Chicago Fire FC.[9]
Ranking
editRankings as of March 15, 2024 (2023 Major League Soccer season)
Rank | Swing | Team | Territory | Value[a] | Change[b] | Revenue[c] | Operating Income[d] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Los Angeles FC | California | $1.2 billion | 20% | $140 million | $9 million | |
2 | 9 | Inter Miami CF | Florida | $1.03 billion | 72% | $118 million | $8 million |
3 | 1 | LA Galaxy | California | $0.95 billion | 3% | $95 million | $3 million |
4 | 1 | Atlanta United FC | Georgia | $0.9 billion | 6% | $95 million | $9 million |
5 | 1 | New York City FC | New York | $0.85 billion | 6% | $70 million | –$9 million |
6 | 1 | Seattle Sounders FC | Washington | $0.785 billion | 19% | $75 million | $2 million |
7 | 2 | D.C. United | Washington, D.C. | $0.775 billion | 11% | $85 million | $10 million |
8 | 1 | Austin FC | Texas | $0.75 billion | 10% | $87 million | $3 million |
9 | 3 | Toronto FC | Ontario | $0.725 billion | 5% | $69 million | –$12 million |
10 | Charlotte FC | North Carolina | $0.69 billion | 10% | $80 million | $6 million | |
11 | St. Louis City SC | Missouri | $0.68 billion | $70 million | –$2 million | ||
12 | 1 | Philadelphia Union | Pennsylvania | $0.67 billion | 17% | $69 million | –$7 million |
13 | 4 | Portland Timbers | Oregon | $0.66 billion | 2% | $67 million | $1 million |
14 | FC Cincinnati | Ohio | $0.65 billion | 16% | $71 million | $10 million | |
15 | Columbus Crew | Ohio | $0.64 billion | 16% | $61 million | –$6 million | |
16 | 4 | Sporting Kansas City | Kansas | $0.63 billion | 7% | $65 million | –$1 million |
17 | 1 | Minnesota United FC | Minnesota | $0.6 billion | 11% | $62 million | –$5 million |
18 | Nashville SC | Tennessee | $0.57 billion | 14% | $57 million | $0 million | |
19 | 2 | New York Red Bulls | New Jersey | $0.56 billion | 7% | $56 million | –$2 million |
20 | 2 | Houston Dynamo FC | Texas | $0.53 billion | 22% | $45 million | –$10 million |
21 | 2 | New England Revolution | Massachusetts | $0.52 billion | 9% | $45 million | $0 million |
22 | 1 | Chicago Fire FC | Illinois | $0.515 billion | 21% | $45 million | $0 million |
23 | 3 | San Jose Earthquakes | California | $0.505 billion | 12% | $49 million | –$5 million |
24 | 2 | FC Dallas | Texas | $0.5 billion | 25% | $45 million | –$9 million |
25 | 4 | Real Salt Lake | Utah | $0.485 billion | 10% | $47 million | $0 |
26 | 2 | Orlando City SC | Florida | $0.475 billion | 13% | $46 million | –$3 million |
27 | CF Montréal | Quebec | $0.43 billion | 15% | $40 million | –$8 million | |
28 | 3 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | British Columbia | $0.42 billion | 2% | $25 million | –$14 million |
29 | 1 | Colorado Rapids | Colorado | $0.4 billion | 14% | $38 million | –$5 million |
Historical valuations
editTeam | 2023 | 2018 |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles FC | 1,200 | 475 |
Inter Miami CF | 1,030 | |
LA Galaxy | 950 | 480 |
Atlanta United FC | 900 | 500 |
New York City FC | 850 | 385 |
Seattle Sounders FC | 785 | 405 |
D.C. United | 775 | 330 |
Austin FC | 750 | |
Toronto FC | 725 | 395 |
Charlotte FC | 690 | |
St. Louis City SC | 680 | |
Philadelphia Union | 670 | 240 |
Portland Timbers | 660 | 390 |
FC Cincinnati | 650 | 285 |
Columbus Crew | 640 | 200 |
Sporting Kansas City | 630 | 325 |
Minnesota United FC | 600 | 300 |
Nashville SC | 570 | |
New York Red Bulls | 560 | 290 |
Houston Dynamo FC | 530 | 280 |
New England Revolution | 520 | 245 |
Chicago Fire FC | 515 | 335 |
San Jose Earthquakes | 505 | 275 |
FC Dallas | 500 | 220 |
Real Salt Lake | 485 | 235 |
Orlando City SC | 475 | 295 |
CF Montréal | 430 | 210 |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 420 | 215 |
Colorado Rapids | 400 | 190 |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Value of team (in USD) based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending), without deduction for debt (other than stadium debt).
- ^ Change of valuation from the 2018 Major League Soccer season to the 2023 Major League Soccer season.
- ^ Revenue in USD.
- ^ Earnings (in USD) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
- ^ Financial data taken from the 2023 and 2019 Forbes valuations articles.
References
edit- ^ "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2019: Atlanta Stays On Top As Expansion Fees, Sale Prices Surge". Forbes. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Clubs 2023: LAFC Is The First Billion-Dollar Franchise". Forbes. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "LAFC". Forbes. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "LAFC value hits 1 billion dollars, but who's buying?". World Soccer Talk. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Report: FC Cincinnati's value climbed from $285M to $560M". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "David Tepper MLS team Charlotte FC nearly doubles in value: Forbes". American City Business Journals. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Forbes releases annual MLS team valuations as Seattle and LA lead the way". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta United retain top spot in Forbes' annual MLS team valuations". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "All-Time Attendance". Chicago Fire FC. Retrieved February 8, 2023.