Warriors lead Sportico’s 2026 NBA valuations at $14.5 billion

The Golden State Warriors lead Sportico’s newly released 2026 NBA franchise valuations at $14.5 billion, with the New York Knicks second at $12.8 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers third at $12.5 billion. The estimates put the league’s average franchise value at $6.64 billion, up 21 percent from last year.

Kurt Badenhausen’s October 9 Sportico report values the 30 teams collectively at $199 billion. The complete ranking places Memphis last at $4.2 billion. These figures describe Sportico’s estimates, not completed sales at those prices.

The average NBA team is worth $6.64 billion, according to data compiled by Sportico. The Golden State Warriors rank first at $14.5 billion, while the Memphis Grizzlies rank last at $4.2 billion

Full list: https://t.co/QxhBYuxasc pic.twitter.com/JhUI7HMXE2

— Sportico (@Sportico) October 9, 2026

What is included in the estimate?

Sportico says its enterprise valuations estimate a control-sale price rather than the price of a limited partnership stake. They include real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, including WNBA franchises where ownership is shared. That makes a franchise valuation different from a team’s annual basketball revenue.

For Golden State, Sportico points to Chase Center, the Thrive City development and the Golden State Valkyries as assets supporting the estimate alongside the NBA team. The report estimates Warriors revenue at $895 million last season after their revenue-sharing payment.

The Los Angeles Clippers, at $8.21 billion, and Chicago Bulls, at $8.13 billion, complete the top five. Sportico estimates that NBA teams generated $13.7 billion in revenue last season, including non-NBA event profits at buildings they own or operate.

The ranking is a snapshot of franchise economics. It does not give Golden State or another club extra salary-cap space, establish a player’s contract value, or guarantee what a future buyer would pay. Those are separate questions from Sportico’s valuation exercise.