The top 10 most valuable franchises in the NFL today

The NFL's business is booming, as evidenced by the franchise valuations that Forbes released before the start of the 2024 season. We'll take a look at the top 10 teams that are priced at the highest values ​​in the league. Some are to be expected, while others might surprise fans with their lucrative price tags.

Things are looking great right now for the Commanders after an extended dark period. The franchise's stock arrow is pointed up as Jayden Daniels appears to be the NFL's next big star. Additionally, Washington fans are thrilled to be rid of Daniel Snyder, who Yahoo Sports believed might have been the worst owner in sports history.

Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris, who instantly improved the vibes around the franchise. According to ESPN, Harris bought the team for just a smidge over $6 million, so Forbes figure represents an uptick in the investment he made. Sports Business Journal wrote in September 2024 that Harris was actively seeking feedback from players in order to build a better operation.

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According to Fox Sports, the Bears and the Cardinals were the first two teams to become active. While the Cardinals moved around before ultimately settling in Arizona, the Bears were born in Chicago in 1920. Their success on the field has been fleeting, but their history in one of the largest markets in America makes them a highly valuable property.

While the past has aided their name-brand recognition, the Bears' current ownership group is focused on the future. According to AP News, Chicago wants to build a new stadium in front of the lake, although there have been obstacles and opposition to this desire. For those wondering, the new venue would have a roof, to preempt concerns about even windier conditions near the body of water.

The Eagles claimed the eighth spot on the list. Philadelphia has been owned by Jeffrey Lurie since 1994, when he paid $185 million to get the team. Like many owners, Lurie has seen his investment take off by leaps and bounds. He deserves a lot of credit for keeping the Eagles in the conversation as a perennial playoff team.

Throughout the course of the 20th ^century , the Eagles have not been shy about taking swings on big names. Whether it's been Terrell Owens or Michael Vick or more recently Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia has the ultimate confidence in getting the most out of some of the NFL's biggest stars. It continues to create buzz around the team.

Back in 1991, The New York Times wrote about “Raiders chic,” a style that NFL fans and society came to connect with. The classic silver and black look was appealing then, and remains attractive now as a fashion statement. Merchandise sales tend to bend in the Raiders' direction, despite their moves throughout the course of the last 30 years or so.

The Raiders have been owned by the Davis family since 1966, with Mark Davis taking over the family business from his father Al in 2011 after the latter's death. One of the franchise's crowning achievements was the construction of Allegiant Stadium, which went into operation in 2020. Conde Nast Traveler predicted it would become a top tourist destination in Las Vegas due to its grandeur.

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The 49ers put their stamp on the NFL in the 1980s, and have been one of the most popular teams ever since. They also run a first-class organization in the eyes of many. One agent told NBC Sports Bay Area in August 2024 that they are well regarded because of “the way they treat people and don't skimp on expenses.”

To that end, the 49ers are looking to keep their home stadium as modern and state of the art as possible. According to Forbes, Levi's Stadium will undergo renovations before it hosts the 2026 Super Bowl and some World Cup games. The team has invested $200 million to enhance premium seating, bolster connectivity systems and upgrade concession areas, among other improvements.

While they haven't made the NFL playoffs since 2010, the Jets remain one of the most valuable teams in the league. Sports Illustrated wrote about the franchise's surprisingly soaring value in February 2024, which is driven in large part to the market that they play in. Woody Johnson is the primary figure in the Johnson family ownership hierarchy.

Some less than thrilled Jets fans have wanted Johnson to sell the team for years. He told NJ's website, “I've heard this all before, right? That shows they're interested. There's an acuity level of their interest. If they express themselves, I think that's a positive, because that's the way I kind of feel too. “I feel their pain, as they say.”

We don't have to go very far to find the fourth team on this list. Like the Jets, the Giants have fallen on hard times recently, but they are one of the most respected franchises in the NFL. Essentially Sports wrote in October 2024 that while the Mara family may not be the richest in the league, their family connection with football makes them legendary figures in the sport.

Forbes noted that New York has agreed to a partnership that they feel will give them an advantage throughout the year. They are working with Crestron to help enhance their draft room, where important decisions are made with regard to the young players the team may bring in each year. They feel the improved technology at their disposal will help them make better choices moving forward.

The Patriots remain one of the most recognizable brands in all of professional sports. It would have been hard to predict back when Robert Kraft first bought the team in the mid 1990s. Sports Illustrated wrote that around that time, the Patriots almost moved to Hartford, Connecticut, which could have drastically changed their fortunes in the 2000s.

Of course, the main reason why New England is still among the top three most valuable franchises in the NFL is because of the unbridled success they had with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It'll be fascinating to see how long the team can hold on to such a prominent valuation spot if they continue to be looked at at the bottom of the standings in the post Brady era.

It's not often Guinness World Records is tabbed as a source in business conversations, but the Rams' stadium is the most expensive sports stadium ever built. SoFi Stadium cost $5 billion to build, and the bill was footed by Los Angeles owner Stan Kroenke, who also received tax deals from the city of Los Angeles.

Forbes wrote about some of the reasons why the stadium is such a crown jewel. They created the world's first two-sided videoboard, delves into California's “indoor-outdoor living on a large scale” and can even sway on purpose to stand firm during an earthquake. The Rams will win a Super Bowl in their home stadium in 2022.

Bleacher Report called out that the Cowboys are the NFL's most valuable franchise for the 15th ^straight year. Forbes notes that they are the first sports team to ever cross the $10 billion valuation threshold. It's a franchise that continues to shatter expectations and defy expectations about how much the brand can reach new heights.

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The Cowboys would not be where they are without the efforts of Jerry Jones, who bought the team in 1989. Forbes wrote in 2017 about the ways that Jones has helped to modernize the NFL throughout the years. He was at the forefront of introducing television contracts, enhancing marketing and branding, and giving the NFL as much visibility as possible in the sports landscape.