Thanks to some pricey TV deals, a relocation, and brand-new stadiums, the NFL has never been more valuable. And that goes for franchises, too. We've listed the 20 most valuable teams in the league, according to Forbes's annual list.
Forty-seven years after his family purchased the franchise, Jim Irsay's Colts are now valued at $2.65 billion. The Colts' estimated worth grew by 11% in the last year.
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20 (continued). Indianapolis Colts
Coming off a 10-6 record in 2018, the Colts had Super Bowl aspirations for the 2019 campaign. But starting quarterback Andrew Luck decided to retire prior to the season.
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19. Minnesota Vikings, $2.7 billion
With the opening of a new, $1.1 billion stadium, Minnesota's franchise value skyrocketed 38% in 2016, to $2.2 billion. In 2019, the Vikes' value grew 12% to $2.7 billion.
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19 (continued). Minnesota Vikings
Following a disappointing 2018 season, the Vikings are projected to make $427 million in revenue this year.
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18. Baltimore Ravens, $2.75 billion
The Ravens cracked the $2 billion mark in valuation for the first time in 2016. This year, the franchise's value grew 6%, to $2.75 billion.
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18 (continued). Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens' revenue is expected to increase from $417 million to $438 million in 2019.
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17. Atlanta Falcons, $2.755 billion
With the new, $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium that opened in 2017, the Falcons' value jumped over the $2 billion mark in 2016.
The franchise is now worth nearly $2.76 billion, a 6% increase from last year.
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17 (continued). Atlanta Falcons
In March, Falcons owner Arthur Blank sold a minority stake in the Atlanta Falcons and other family-owned assets for $300 million.
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16. Miami Dolphins, $2.76 billion
Miami's franchise value grew 7% from a year ago, per Forbes. The Dolphins will earn a projected $443 million in 2019.
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16 (continued). Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins' recent renovation of Hard Rock Stadium has helped to boost the franchise's value, per Forbes.
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15. Seattle Seahawks, $2.775 billion
Despite an 8% increase in franchise valuation, the Seahawks remain in the middle of the pack. In 2019, Seattle will reportedly earn $439 million in revenue.
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15 (continued). Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, died in October 2018 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The franchise could be for sale in the near future, but reports say it's unlikely that the team will move from Seattle.
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14. Pittsburgh Steelers, $2.8 billion
With an estimated $439 million in revenue this year, the Steelers jumped 8% in value, to $2.8 billion.
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14 (continued). Pittsburgh Steelers
Since 2013, the Steelers' franchise value ($2.8 billion) has more than doubled.
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13. Green Bay Packers, $2.85 billion
The Packers' value increased by 9% over the past year, from $2.63 billion to $2.85 billion.
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13 (continued). Green Bay Packers
The Packers — the only franchise owned by a group of shareholders — increased their yearly revenue to $456 million in 2019.
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12. Oakland Raiders, $2.9 billion
With a move to Las Vegas on the horizon, the Raiders' value jumped a massive 20% to $2.9 billion.
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12 (continued). Oakland Raiders
The Raiders' new Las Vegas stadium is expected to open in time for the 2020 NFL season.
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11. Denver Broncos, $3 billion
The Broncos' valuation increased 13% in 2019, to $3 billion.
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11 (continued). Denver Broncos
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen — who purchased the franchise for $78 million in 1994 — died in June. It's unclear, as of now, who the future Broncos owner will be.
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10. Philadelphia Eagles, $3.05 billion
Philadelphia is the tenth most valuable franchise in the league, with a projected 2019 revenue of $482 million.
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10 (continued). Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' franchise value has increased by more than $1 billion since 2014. In 2019, the team's valuation grew by 11%.
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9. Houston Texans, $3.1 billion
The Texans will probably never be valued higher than their in-state rival, the Dallas Cowboys, but Houston still cracks the top 10.
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9 (continued). Houston Texans
Purchased in 1999 for $600 million, the Texans' value has grown by more than $1 billion since 2014. This year, Houston's worth grew by 11%, to $3.1 billion.
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8. New York Jets, $3.2 billion
The Jets are the second most valuable franchise in New York, at $3.2 billion. The Jets are projected to earn $475 million in revenue in 2019.
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8 (continued). New York Jets
Acquired in 2000 for $635 million, the Jets' value increased by 12% in 2019.
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7. Washington Redskins, $3.4 billion
The Redskins' franchise value jumped 10% since 2018. That value could increase even more if the Redskins get a new stadium in the near future.
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7 (continued). Washington Redskins
Despite poor results on the field, Washington is still one of the biggest-earning franchises, with $493 million in projected revenue this year.
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6. Chicago Bears, $3.45 billion
The Bears' value grew by a whopping 19% in the past year, to $3.45 billion.
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6 (continued). Chicago Bears
Chicago is estimated to make $453 million in 2019 revenue, a $22 million increase from the prior year.
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5. San Francisco 49ers, $3.5 billion
Since Levi's Stadium opened in 2014, the 49ers have surged to a top-five team, based on value. Although the Niners have been among the worst teams on the field over the past five years, the franchise is worth $3.5 billion.
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5 (continued). San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are expected to make $492 million in revenue this year, a $22 million increase from 2018.
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4. Los Angeles Rams, $3.8 billion
Thanks to a huge 19% increase in value this year, the Rams' estimated worth has grown from $1.45 billion in 2015 to $3.8 billion in 2019.
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4 (continued). Los Angeles Rams
With a nearly $5 billion stadium opening in 2020, the Rams' franchise is expected to rise to the $4 billion range in the near future.
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3. New York Giants, $3.9 billion
Due to an 18% increase in valuation, the Giants are approaching the $4 billion mark.
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3 (continued). New York Giants
The Giants are expected to earn $519 million in revenue this year.
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2. New England Patriots, $4.1 billion
The most successful team of the last two decades is the second most valuable franchise in Forbes' rankings. Thanks to an 8% increase in valuation, the Patriots are now one of two teams valued at more than $4 billion.
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2 (continued). New England Patriots
Purchased by Robert Kraft for $172 million in 1994, the Patriots are projected to make an even $600 million in revenue in 2019.
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1. Dallas Cowboys, $5 billion
The Cowboys are by far the most valuable franchise in the NFL, according to Forbes' methodology. Arguably the best-known team in the league, Dallas tops the rankings in part because of its state-of-the-art stadium and a $1.5 billion practice facility.
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1 (continued). Dallas Cowboys
The only NFL franchise worth more than $5 billion, the Cowboys are expected to earn an astronomical $950 million in revenue this year.
