What are the top 10 most profitable sports teams in the US?

Watching live coverage of favorite players’ performances is an option for many sports fans who cannot attend games in person. Media agencies pay sports associations large sums of money yearly for the right to broadcast games to the public through different channels such as television, radio, and others. In 2022 and 2023, the annual value of NFL TV broadcasting rights in the United States was estimated to be 10 billion U.S. dollars. By 2026, the yearly value of live sports broadcast rights in the United States will reach 29 billion U.S. dollars across the industry. A significant part of this money will be shared among the NFL stakeholders (teams), who will consider it part of their operating income.

Forbes’ Mike Ozanian calculated a ranking of sports teams based on their three-year operating income figures. This ranking provides insight into the financial performance of these organizations. Operating income is the adjusted revenue of a team after all expenses of operation and depreciation are subtracted.

Top 10 most profitable sports teams in the U.S.

Over the last three years, the Dallas Cowboys have been the most profitable sports team worldwide. They have generated an impressive 1.17 billion U.S. dollars in operating income. This figure speaks to the team’s unparalleled success and the loyalty of its fans. The Cowboys consistently rank number one on all significant annual lists of the most valuable sports teams globally, thanks to their enormous brand value, lucrative sponsorship deals, and massive fan following. The team’s operating income is nearly double that of the second-ranked New England Patriots, highlighting the Cowboys’ unparalleled financial strength and dominance in the sports industry.