Powered by record-setting telecast rights and franchise sales deals, the value of NBA teams have reportedly skyrocketed by 74 per cent over the past year.
Forbes magazine reported on Wednesday the average value of NBA franchises to be $US1.1 billion ($A1.2 billion).
The jump reported on the magazine website is the largest year-to-year gain since Forbes began listing its sports team values for the major North American leagues in 1998.
It lists 11 NBA teams worth at least $US1 billion ($A1 billion) compared to three in 2014.
Three months ago, the NBA signed a new media rights deals with Walt Disney and Time Warner worth a combined $US930 million ($A1.1 billion) a year starting with the 2016-17 season, almost three times the current telecast revenue.
The 16-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, whose 12-30 record is fourth-worst in the 30-team league this season, top the value list at $US2.6 billion ($A2.8 billion), jumping 93 per cent from a year ago thanks in part to the NBA's richest local TV contract, worth $US4 billion ($A4.3 billion) over 20 years and only in its third season.
The New York Knicks, whose 6-36 record is the NBA's worst, rank second on the value list at $US2.5 billion ($A2.7 billion), up 79 per cent, and followed by the Chicago Bulls at $US2 billion ($A2.16 billion), Boston Celtics at $US1.7 billion ($A1.84 billion) and the LA Clippers $US1.6 million ($A1.73 million) in fifth.
The Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks' New York neighbours, were sixth at $US1.5 billion ($A1.62 billion) but were the only NBA club to lose money last season, according to Forbes.
Share
