MLB Franchise Valuations for 2026 - Sox are 17th

[77 Hitmen]

According to CNBC.  Yankees, Dodgers, and Cubs are the top 3 with the Cubs just a bit ahead of Boston.  The Sox are middle of the pack at 17th.   As far as revenue goes, Dodgers are #1 at nearly $1B.  The Sox are 30th in revenue at about 1/4th of the Dodgers amount and are well behind the 29th ranked team (Rays).   Four teams made 25% of MLB's revenue.  

Revenue numbers are apparently based CNBC's analysis and not just the accounting tricks that owners use to depress their reported revenues.  

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/03/13/cnbcas-official-mlb-team-valuations-2026-hereas-how-the-30-franchises-stack-up.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/13/cnbcs-official-mlb-team-valuations-2026-how-30-franchises-stack-up.html

Edited 11 hours ago by 77 Hitmen
clarification

[Dick Allen]

Quite the indictment of White Sox ownership. 

[southsider2k5]

11 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

Quite the indictment of White Sox ownership. 

Nah, everything is fine.

[WhiteSox2023]

17 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

Quite the indictment of White Sox ownership. 

You know Jerry smokes a cigar and ponders why he can’t have two terrible teams that never win anything but both make money hand over fist just because they have cool logos and had some good teams ages ago.

[caulfield12]

https://www.forbes.com/mlb-valuations/list/#tab:overall

2019 the Sox were 16th at $2 billion (Forbes).

Right behind were the Padres #17 at $1.95.

The Sox have somehow gone backwards during this time period when the S&P was growing like gangbusters.

Now, SD is all the way up to #10 and $3.1 billion...and expected to soon fetch $3.2-3.5 billion when the team is sold to one of five (one "hidden" bid) bidders in the next month or so.

 

What's really incredible is finishing behind two teams housed in minor league facilities in TB and Sacramento.

Or finishing behind the Twins Royals and Guardians.  Ofc all three have had playoff teams as late as 2023 or since, but it's almost inexplicable for Chicago to be so far behind three small/er market cities.

 

 

[77 Hitmen]

5 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

https://www.forbes.com/mlb-valuations/list/#tab:overall

2019 the Sox were 16th at $2 billion (Forbes).

Right behind were the Padres #17 at $1.95.

The Sox have somehow gone backwards during this time period when the S&P was growing like gangbusters.

Now, SD is all the way up to #10 and $3.1 billion...and expected to soon fetch $3.2-3.5 billion when the team is sold to one of five (one "hidden" bid) bidders in the next month or so.

 

What's really incredible is finishing behind two teams housed in minor league facilities in TB and Sacramento.

Or finishing behind the Twins Royals and Guardians.  Ofc all three have had playoff teams as late as 2023 or since, but it's almost inexplicable for Chicago to be so far behind three small/er market cities.

 

 

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the Padres pending sale.  We've already discussed in other threads their somewhat unique situation (no other teams in their market from any of the 4 major sports, top-tier ballpark, near-perfect weather, but market size is somewhat boxed in on all sides).

The article says the Rays, who were recently sold for $1.7B, saw a 21% increase in valuation from last year as did Detroit.   The Pohlad family seemed to have trouble selling the Twins and now they're keeping the team but bringing in additional investors.  

Jerry was counting on a tax payer-funded new stadium to boost the Sox valuation.  That ain't happening, so the team isn't going to be worth as much if the next owner will need to pay for a new ballpark (if he wants one) in addition to paying for the franchise itself.  

Edited 5 hours ago by 77 Hitmen

[The Mighty Mite]

4 hours ago, Dick Allen said:

Quite the indictment of White Sox ownership. 

Downright embarrassing, behind the Rays in revenue is unbelievable.

[77 Hitmen]

CNBC's analysis also determined that 9 MLB franchises are losing money.  I read the article to say that this was based on their own analysis and not solely based on whatever numbers the owners report.  So no accounting loopholes (depreciation, etc.).   This is also after revenue sharing as they say that more than half the teams would be losing money without the existing revenue sharing.  

[caulfield12]

13 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

CNBC's analysis also determined that 9 MLB franchises are losing money.  I read the article to say that this was based on their own analysis and not solely based on whatever numbers the owners report.  So no accounting loopholes (depreciation, etc.).   This is also after revenue sharing as they say that more than half the teams would be losing money without the existing revenue sharing.  

Which 9 teams?

SD MN and White Sox make three that have/had debt since 2020.

Rangers?  Cardinals?  Royals?  Angels?  Guardians?  A's?

Or losing money in 2024-25 specifically?

 

How does that compare to the NBA?

Edited 4 hours ago by caulfield12

[tray]

A valuation taken after three of the worst seasons in franchise history and comparing to the top teams in baseball. Ok. Tanking was always going to be part of the rebuild but yes, it was worse than anticipated.  Sox are now stacked with young talent that will be coming on board in the next few years and winning. Of course, CNBC is probably not the best source for baseball acumen like evaluating new prospects and player acquisitions, but yes, they got the top five perennial franchise leaders in revenue right. So what?  Maybe more revenue sharing and salary caps? 

Regardless, being a White Sox fan isn't, never was, and never will be about rooting for a team that eclipses most others in revenue or unfortunately, wins consecutive championships.  Konerko was wrong n 2005. The White Sox are still the second team in the second city.  And no, moving the team into any new stadium isn't going to change that reality. The fan base is the fan base. It is where it is and what it is. 

[caulfield12]

2 minutes ago, tray said:

A valuation taken after three of the worst seasons in franchise history and comparing to the top teams in baseball. Ok. Tanking was always going to be part of the rebuild but yes, it was worse than anticipated.  Sox are now stacked with young talent that will be coming on board in the next few years and winning. Of course, CNBC is probably not the best source for baseball acumen like evaluating new prospects and player acquisitions, but yes, they got the top five perennial franchise leaders in revenue right. So what?  Maybe more revenue sharing and salary caps? 

Regardless, being a White Sox fan isn't, never was, and never will be about rooting for a team that eclipses most others in revenue or unfortunately, wins consecutive championships.  Konerko was wrong n 2005. The White Sox are still the second team in the second city.  And no, moving the team into any new stadium isn't going to change that reality. The fan base is the fan base. It is where it is and what it is. 

Double tanking, Covid and loss of broadcasting revenues...

[tray]

2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Double tanking, Covid and loss of broadcasting revenues...

Yes and several years of very poor talent evaluation , bad scouting, poor trades, and a financial hangover from paying salaries of under-performing players. \As someone who has gone to a good deal of games, I have to relate that the weather, particularly last year was not favorable. Cold in the Spring and many games with rain or threats of rain. Still a mediocre franchise at best, but we didn't get too many breaks (consider all the c;lose losses over the last two seasons). 

[caulfield12]

43 minutes ago, tray said:

Yes and several years of very poor talent evaluation , bad scouting, poor trades, and a financial hangover from paying salaries of under-performing players. \As someone who has gone to a good deal of games, I have to relate that the weather, particularly last year was not favorable. Cold in the Spring and many games with rain or threats of rain. Still a mediocre franchise at best, but we didn't get too many breaks (consider all the c;lose losses over the last two seasons). 

JR could have left a legacy...

Simply by investing $700-850 million of his own money into the new stadium.

But he put his kids' inheritance and avoiding capital gains taxes over the public trust/stewardship of the Sox.  Now he's simply holding the franchise hostage, instead of moving forward into the future.

Could have had the new baseball stadium or at least the field named after him.

Could have named the Bulls' court after Michael Jordan.

But one would think both those ships have already sailed.

[WhiteSox2023]

1 hour ago, tray said:

A valuation taken after three of the worst seasons in franchise history and comparing to the top teams in baseball. Ok. Tanking was always going to be part of the rebuild but yes, it was worse than anticipated.  Sox are now stacked with young talent that will be coming on board in the next few years and winning. Of course, CNBC is probably not the best source for baseball acumen like evaluating new prospects and player acquisitions, but yes, they got the top five perennial franchise leaders in revenue right. So what?  Maybe more revenue sharing and salary caps? 

Regardless, being a White Sox fan isn't, never was, and never will be about rooting for a team that eclipses most others in revenue or unfortunately, wins consecutive championships.  Konerko was wrong n 2005. The White Sox are still the second team in the second city.  And no, moving the team into any new stadium isn't going to change that reality. The fan base is the fan base. It is where it is and what it is. 

The bolded could be a copy and paste comment made on this site during the last rebuild, which ultimately failed.  I also seem to remember how pumped up you were about the Bulls’ young team and future hopes last year and yet they still appear to be stuck in NBA hell.  Nothing is guaranteed, especially not with a franchise owned by Jerry.

Edited 3 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[southsider2k5]

1 hour ago, tray said:

A valuation taken after three of the worst seasons in franchise history and comparing to the top teams in baseball. Ok. Tanking was always going to be part of the rebuild but yes, it was worse than anticipated.  Sox are now stacked with young talent that will be coming on board in the next few years and winning. Of course, CNBC is probably not the best source for baseball acumen like evaluating new prospects and player acquisitions, but yes, they got the top five perennial franchise leaders in revenue right. So what?  Maybe more revenue sharing and salary caps? 

Regardless, being a White Sox fan isn't, never was, and never will be about rooting for a team that eclipses most others in revenue or unfortunately, wins consecutive championships.  Konerko was wrong n 2005. The White Sox are still the second team in the second city.  And no, moving the team into any new stadium isn't going to change that reality. The fan base is the fan base. It is where it is and what it is. 

Brooks Boyers job seems pretty safe with a sales pitch like this 

[caulfield12]

20 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

The bolded could be a copy and paste comment made on this site during the last rebuild, which ultimately failed.  I also seem to remember how pumped up you were about the Bulls’ young team and future hopes last year and yet they still appear to be stuck in NBA hell.  Nothing is guaranteed, especially not with a franchise owned by Jerry.

https://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/sort/homeTotal

And Bulls STILL right up there at the top for NBA attendance...

[WhiteSox2023]

4 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

https://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/sort/homeTotal

And Bulls STILL right up there at the top for NBA attendance...

The comment I was responding to was about eventually winning after a rebuild, not about attendance.  We all know the Bulls still make money hand over fist because of a cool logo and Jordan’s legacy, not from currently having good teams.

Edited 2 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[WhiteSox2023]

11 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Brooks Boyers job seems pretty safe with a sales pitch like this 

The ultimate preemptive excuse for being bad regardless of anything else.  It’s an unfair playing field and the Sox don’t have a chance even before the season starts because of an owner that doesn’t really care to spend money.

Edited 2 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[77 Hitmen]

3 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Which 9 teams?

SD MN and White Sox make three that have/had debt since 2020.

Rangers?  Cardinals?  Royals?  Angels?  Guardians?  A's?

Or losing money in 2024-25 specifically?

 

How does that compare to the NBA?

I don't know which 9 teams.  It's mentioned in the video and I've only heard of the Sox and Twins having debt.

They actually do compare the MLB situation to the NBA in the video clip above.  They said the NBA gets more revenue from national TV deals, so they don't have the same revenue disparity problem that MLB does.

Edited 42 minutes ago by 77 Hitmen

[caulfield12]

12 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

I don't know which 9 teams.  It's mentioned in the video and I've only heard of the Sox and Twins having debt.

They actually do compare the MLB situation to the NBA in the video clip above.  They said the NBA gets more revenue from national TV deals, so they don't have the same revenue disparity problem that MLB does.

$2.7bn each year

The NBA is currently in a 9-year $24bn deal with Disney and Turner Broadcasting. This deal brings in ~$2.7bn each year.

 

Vs. $550 million / 30 and what's left of the RSN deals

[77 Hitmen]

3 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Double tanking, Covid and loss of broadcasting revenues...

Every team had to go through Covid, but it's probably when the Twins and Sox amassed their debt.

The Sox aren't alone in the loss of broadcasting revenues.  It's been a problem for many teams outside of the top 10 or so franchises.  But obviously 2025 was the nadir of broadcasting revenues for the Sox.....and no doubt the low point of other revenues too coming off a 121-loss season.

Seems to be that these things affect revenues more that franchise valuations.  That's why the Sox are last in revenue but #17 in franchise valuation since they are in the 3rd largest market.  

[caulfield12]

10 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Every team had to go through Covid, but it's probably when the Twins and Sox amassed their debt.

The Sox aren't alone in the loss of broadcasting revenues.  It's been a problem for many teams outside of the top 10 or so franchises.  But obviously 2025 was the nadir of broadcasting revenues for the Sox.....and no doubt the low point of other revenues too coming off a 121-loss season.

Seems to be that these things affect revenues more that franchise valuations.  That's why the Sox are last in revenue but #17 in franchise valuation since they are in the 3rd largest market.  

Yep which is why you see the limits of SD's stadium, ball park village, singular team in market, and weather and even the presence of the Dodgers stopping them at tenth.

Ofc new rivalry with LA has x amount of value as well...even if it's more like LSU vs South Carolina in ncaa womens bb.  One sided mostly.

Edited 16 minutes ago by caulfield12