Celtics vs Warriors: which team is worth more?
The Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors are even at 1-1 through two games of the NBA Finals, but one team is way ahead in the money game.
The NBA Finals features two teams with very different histories in the league. Boston are a perennial powerhouse that have a chance to take the lead for most titles ever, while the Golden State Warriors are the new dynasty on the block having reached their sixth Finals in the last eight years.
Celtics vs. Warriors: Battle of the bucks
It’s the legendary franchise of yesteryear taking on the new neighbors on the block writing new pages in the history books of the NBA in this year’s Finals. But which team is worth more?
When you think of Boston, you think of guys like Bill Russell, Red Auerbach, Bill Russell and Larry Bird. Names like these are ageless, and timeless. They live eternally because of the chapters of the history books dedicated to this franchise after decades of success. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are trying to join those names in the rafters of TD Garden, and can take a first step at achieving that feat by hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the next couple weeks.
Boston won their first title in 1957, and proceeded to win 10 more over a 12 year span. That was the era of Russell and Auerbach, and is unlikely to ever be matched. The last title the Celtics won was in 2008 with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. That was title number 17 putting them at the top of the NBA Titles list until the Lakers caught them two seasons ago. If they win it all this year they can retake the crown of most championships in the history of the league.
Golden State soaring up the rich list
The boys from the bay are enjoying a fantastic spell of success with their trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. But before the Golden State Big Three, and long before the Warriors were in California, it was the Philadelphia Warriors who won the first ever NBA Title in 1947.
The Warriors would win two more titles over the next three decades, but never establish themselves among the elite franchises until Steve Kerr took over Golden State and led them to three titles in a four year span.
So what does Boston’s long legacy and the recent run of success for Golden State mean for each team financially? We went to the source of everything finance to figure out which one of these teams has more cash flow behind it.
Both Finalists in Top 5 on rich list
According to a recent article produced by Forbes.com in the very early parts of the season, Golden State is number two on the NBA rich list, right behind the New York Knicks. The Knicks are valued at $5.8 billion while the Warriors are sitting snug right behind them at $5.6 billion, right above the Los Angeles Lakers in third at $5.5 billion.
When evaluating a teams worth, three are a few things that come into play. First of all the market, and all three of these teams play in the biggest markets in the league. With big markets come big television broadcasting deals with contribute a large portion of the value of a team. Last thing to keep in mind is the income the stadium brings in from the 41 home games a year, bringing ticket sales, vending sales, luxury seating sales and advertising deals another big portion of the pie.
Boston may have the most titles in the league by the end of the NBA Finals, but they are miles behind the top three most valuable franchises. They sit fifth, right behind the Chicago Bulls, with an estimated value of $3.55 billion.
NFL still top dog on the rich list
Sportico.com says that the average cost of an NBA team is $2.6 billion, which is second most for a single team in the major American sports, behind NFL teams which average $3.5 billion.
If you are in the market for an NBA team, but still looking to find a bargain then the Memphis Grizzlies might just peak your interest. Forbes has them as the least valuable franchise, at $1.5 billion, but with the young team they have, and a generational super star in the making that number is certain to continue to grow over coming years.
There is no bonus from the league for the team who wins the title, but bragging rights will be on the line in this Finals. Golden State have a chance to solidify their place among the top dynasties in the history of the league, while the Celtics have a chance to sit atop the charts as the winningest team in NBA history.