The actual value of something is ultimately whatever somebody is willing to pay for it, just ask Steve Ballmer.
In 2014, Ballmer shocked many in the sports world when he paid $2 billion for the Los Angles Clippers – nearly four times the team’s perceived value at the time – admitting that he was not in it to make a lot of money.
Ballmer’s enthusiastic wallet-first dive into the world of pro sports helped reset the market for what franchises are worth and what owners might expect when they start thinking about selling. Since that deal, it has become more common to see sale prices above $1 billion, but there are also still relative deals to be had.
Below is a look at every pro team that has sold in the major North American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS), and the English Premier League, since Ballmer’s move, and how much the new owners paid. We have also included notable teams from other top leagues from around the world.
Most recent sales are first and values are the sale price or the valuation in cases where the new owner purchased less than 100% of the team. Forbes and Transfer Markt valuations are based on the most recent valuation prior to the team sale.
FC Cincinnati — $150 million
Year: 2018
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: Carl Linder III has been with the club since it was founded in 2015 and paid a $150 million expansion fee in 2018 to join MLS.
Forbes valuation: $223 million (the average value of an MLS franchise in 2017)
Carolina Panthers — $2.2 billion
Year: 2018
League: National Football League
New Owner: David Tepper
Forbes valuation: $2.3 billion
DC United — $500 million
Year: 2018
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: Minority investor Jason Levien and others purchased 78% of the club from Erick Thohir based on a $500 million valuation. Billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong is the largest shareholder in the group, according to Bloomberg.
Forbes valuation: $230 million
MLS Miami franchise — $25 million
Year: 2018
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: David Beckham was given the option to buy an expansion team for $25 million as part of his playing contract with MLS. He has since added partners, including local businessman Jorge Mas, Sprint chairman Masayoshi Son, and Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure to secure land for a new privately funded stadium.
Forbes valuation: $223 million (the average value of an MLS franchise in 2017)
Carolina Hurricanes — $500 million
Year: 2018
League: National Hockey League
New Owner: Tom Dundon purchased 52% of the team based on a valuation of close to $500 million, according to several reports.
Forbes valuation: $370 million
MLS Nashville franchise — $150 million
Year: 2017
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: A group led by John Ingram.
Forbes valuation: $223 million (the average value of an MLS franchise in 2017)
Miami Marlins — $1.2 billion
Year: 2017
League: Major League Baseball
New Owners: A group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter
Forbes valuation: $1.0 billion
Houston Rockets — $2.2 billion
Year: 2017
League: National Basketball Association
New Owner: Tilman Fertitta
Forbes valuation: $1.65 billion
Southampton FC — $344 million
Year: 2017
League: English Premier League
New Owner: Gao Jisheng purchased an 80% stake in the team based on a valuation of $344 million, according to The Guardian.
Transfer Markt valuation: $278 million
Arizona Coyotes — $240 million
Year: 2017
League: National Hockey League
New Owner: Andrew Barroway bought out his partners’ 49% stake in the team based on a valuation of $240 million, according to Forbes.
Forbes valuation: $240 million
AC Milan — $828 million
Year: 2017
League: Serie A
New Owner: A group led by Yonghong Li.
Forbes valuation: $825 million
Olympique de Marseille — $45 million
Year: 2016
League: Ligue 1
New Owner: Frank McCourt
Forbes valuation: $84 million
West Bromwich Albion FC — $284 million
Year: 2016
League: English Premier League
New Owner: Guochuan Lai purchased an 88% stake in the club.
Transfer Markt valuation: $108 million
Vegas Golden Knights — $500 million
Year: 2016
League: National Hockey League
New Owner: Bill Foley was awarded an NHL expansion team and paid a fee of $500 million for the team.
Forbes valuation: $500 million
OGC Nice — $25 million
Year: 2016
League: Ligue 1
New Owner: Alex Zheng and Chien Lee purchased 80% of the club.
Transfer Markt valuation: $71 million
Inter Milan — $386 million
Year: 2016
League: Serie A
New Owner: Zhang Jindong purchased a 70% stake in the club based on a $386 million valuation, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Forbes valuation: $559 million
Swansea City AFC — $144 million
Year: 2016
League: English Premier League
New Owner: Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien purchased a majority stake in the team based on a valuation of $144 million.
Transfer Markt valuation: $134 million
Everton FC — $229 million
Year: 2016
League: English Premier League
New Owner: Farhad Moshiri purchased a majority ownership of the club based on a $229 million valuation.
Transfer Markt valuation: $344 million
RCD Espanyol — $35 million
Year: 2015
League: La Liga
New Owner: Chen Yansheng of the Rastar Group purchased a majority share in the club based on a valuation of $35 million.
Transfer Markt valuation: $68 million
Atlanta Hawks — $730 million
Year: 2015
League: National Basketball Association
New Owner: A group led by Tony Ressler. Some reports put the sale price at $850 million, however, Forbes argues that the price was much lower.
Forbes valuation: $825 million
Minnesota United — $100 million
Year: 2015
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: A group led by Bill McGuire paid an MLS expansion fee of $100 million.
Forbes valuation: $185 million (average MLS franchise value in 2016)
LAFC — $110 million
Year: 2014
League: Major League Soccer
New Owner: A group led by Larry Berg, Tom Penn, Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber.
Forbes valuation: $185 million (average MLS franchise value in 2016)
Valencia CF — $165 million
Year: 2014
League: La Liga
New Owner: Peter Lim purchased 70.4% of the team, according to ESPN.
Transfer Markt valuation: $178 million
Buffalo Bills — $1.4 billion
Year: 2014
League: National Football League
New Owner: Kim and Terry Pegula
Forbes valuation: $935 million
New York Islanders — $485 million
Year: 2014
League: National Hockey League
New Owner: Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin
Forbes valuation: $300 million
Los Angeles Clippers — $2.0 billion
Year: 2014
League: National Basketball Association
New Owner: Steve Ballmer
Forbes valuation: $575 million
Now check out the fabulous life of Michael Jordan.
MICHAEL JORDAN: How the richest NBA player ever spends his $1.65 billion
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