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.
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questions
What steps does CNBC take to verify the information provided by owners and executives of sports teams and businesses?
Could the reliance on comparable transactions be a way to conceal the true value of certain sports empires?
Is it possible that the information provided by owners and executives is manipulated to inflate the valuations?
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