BUSINESS

How Big Money Moves in the World of Sports

USAWed Jul 09 2025

Sports is big business. To make the list of top sports empires, you need to:

  • Own at least one team worth over a billion dollars
  • Have other sports investments worth at least half a billion dollars

This means only the biggest players in the game get a spot.

Valuation Criteria

  • Only sports-related assets count.
  • Example: AEG's value is based on its sports assets, not its music or hotels.
  • Keeps things fair and focused.

Calculating Total Value

  • Not just about adding up the value of each team.
  • Uses a special number, called a multiple.
  • Ranges from 1.1 to 1.4.
  • Depends on what teams and properties are owned.
  • Sometimes adjusted based on recent deals.
  • Example: When part of the San Francisco 49ers was sold.

Sources of Valuation

  • Major leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer):
  • Valuations come from official rankings.
  • Other sports:
  • Information comes from owners, executives, sports bankers, and public records.
  • If information can't be verified:
  • Estimates are made based on similar deals.
  • Ensures valuations are as accurate as possible.

questions

    Could there be a hidden agenda behind CNBC's selection criteria that favors certain sports empires over others?
    How does the exclusion of non-sports-related assets affect the overall valuation of a sports empire?
    How does CNBC justify the use of a multiple ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 in determining the enterprise values of sports empires?

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