Baseball's 10 Most Valuable Teams
According to Forbes, the Yankees made $325 million in revenue from tickets and luxury suites, while pulling in $400 million from the YES Network in 2010. The Bronx Bombers are 86% more valuable than the Boston Red Sox - who rank second in baseball.
Boston Red Sox
Forbes: $912 million team valueAccording to Forbes, when Red Sox parent company New England Sports Ventures was sold last year, the deal placed an implied valuation on NESV of $1.2 billion. Forbes notes that the team had a negative operating income in 2010 - but that's because of the huge money the team doled out to free agents Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Forbes: $800 million team valueThe Dodgers' financial woes have been exacerbated by a very public legal fight between owner Frank McCourt and his estranged wife and former team executive. According to Forbes, Major League Baseball refused to give more credit to the team's holding company, which is carrying more than $600 million in liabilities.
Chicago Cubs
Forbes: $773 million team valueThe team struggled in its first year under the Ricketts family and attendance at Wrigley Field slipped. Still, according to Forbes, the team's payroll went up and was the third highest in baseball behind the Yankees and Red Sox.
New York Mets
Forbes: $747 million team valueThe Mets' on-the-field struggles in 2010 were overshadowed by the team's off-the-field woes. Hounded by a multimillion dollar lawsuit filed by the trustee trying to recover money for victims of the Bernard Madoff scheme, the Mets acknowledged that they received a loan in November to help cover expenses. According to Forbes, the Mets owe creditors $450 million.
Philadelphia Phillies
Forbes: $609 million team valueThe Phillies can thank strong attendance and local TV ratings for increasing their value by 13% from last year. According to Forbes, the team drew more fans than any team except the Yankees and ratings on CSN Philadelphia have soared nearly 150% since 2002.
San Francisco Giants
Forbes: $563 million team valueWinning the World Series title translated into record revenue for the Giants. According to Forbes, the team drew more than 3 million fans and sold more than $600,000 worth of merchandise within 36 hours of winning the pennant.
Texas Rangers
Forbes: $561 million team valueThe Rangers not only won the AL pennant, they hit a home run in 2010 revenue. According to Forbes, after being bought in a bankruptcy court auction by Ray Davis and Bob Simspon, the team signed a 20-year TV deal that is expected to pay more than $1.5 billion over the life of the contract.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Forbes: $554 million team valueThe Angels had a losing record in 2010 despite having the 8th highest payroll in baseball. To add to the Halo woes, the team claimed the second worst local TV rating in baseball, according to Forbes.
Chicago White Sox
Forbes: $526 million team valueDespite playing in a big market, the White Sox may boast the most affordable landlord in the big leagues. According to Forbes, the team enjoys a favorable lease at U.S. Cellular Field, where they pay a very low rent thanks to subsidies from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.