What’s new in the Los Angeles sports landscape is the rising valuation — and credibility — of the Clippers along with the increasing viability of two Major League Soccer teams in the marketplace.
What’s not new is the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers raking in money, regardless of their respective performances on the field and the court.
The Clippers’ financial fortunes began to change when former Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer bought the club for $2 billion in 2014, following the ouster of owner Donald Sterling by National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver.
The team’s valuation has increased 282% in the last five years, according to an annual analysis by Forbes Media. That’s the NBA’s second-largest valuation jump during that period behind the Golden State Warriors.
Part of the reason for the Clippers’ climb was the team’s 2016 deal with Fox Sports Prime Ticket, which increased revenue for the team’s regular season games.
The Clippers’ television contract, though, produces a fraction of the money generated by the Lakers’ agreement with Comcast Corp.
Even though the Lakers haven’t posted a winning record since 2013, they rank as the second-highest earning team in the NBA, thanks chiefly to their Comcast contract. The New York Knicks are the top earning team in the league.
The Dodgers, who have won six consecutive National League West titles and reached two straight World Series, stand as Major League Baseball’s second-most valuable franchise, in large part because of their own TV deal with Comcast. The New York Yankees are baseball’s top-earning team.
On the soccer pitch, meanwhile, the Los Angeles Football Club and the L.A. Galaxy have each recorded frequent sellouts and solidified the sport as a viable entertainment option in a crowded market.
#1 Los Angeles Lakers
Team valuation:
$3.7 billion* (as of 2019)
Revenue:
$395 million* (2017-18 season)
Operating Income:
$147 million* (2017-18 season)
attendance:
Total: 778,877
Average: 18,997
(41 regular season home games, 2018-19)
LOCAL Television deal:
$4 billion over 20 years with
Comcast Corp.
•••
#2 Los Angeles Dodgers
Team valuation:
$3.3 billion* (as of 2019)
Revenue:
$549 million* (2018 season)
Operating Income:
$95 million* (2018 season)
attendance:
Total: 3,857,500
Average: 47,042
(82 regular season home games, 2018)
LOCAL Television deal:
$8.35 billion over 25 years with
Comcast Corp.
•••
#3 Los Angeles Rams
Team valuation:
$3.2 billion* (as of 2018)
Revenue:
$750 million* (2017-18 season)
Operating Income:
$68 million* (2017-18 season)
attendance:
Total: 579,439
Average: 72,429
(8 regular season home games, 2018)
•••
#4 Los Angeles Chargers
Team valuation:
$2.3 billion* (as of 2018)
Revenue:
$346 million* (2017-18 season)
Operating Income:
$48 million* (2017-18 season)
attendance:
Total: 177,844
Average: 25,406
(7 regular season home games, 2018)
•••
#5 Los Angeles Clippers
Team valuation:
$2.2 billion* (as of 2019)
Revenue:
$258 million* (2017-18 season)
Operating Income:
$40 million* (2017-18 season)
attendance:
Total: 710,327
Average: 17.325
(41 regular season home games, 2018-19)
LOCAL Television deal:
$55 million per year over 6 years with FoxSports Prime Ticket, now owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. (pending regulatory approval)
•••
#6 Los Angeles Kings
Team valuation:
$810 million* (as of 2018)
Revenue:
$193 million* (2017-18 season):
Operating Income:
$44 million* (2017-18 season)
attendance:
Total: 738,029
Average: 18,000
(41 regular season home games, 2018-19)
Television deal:
$250 million over 12 years on FoxSports West (now owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., pending regulatory approval)
•••
#7 LA GALAXY
Team valuation:
$320 million* (as of 2018)
Revenue:
$63 million* (2017 season)
Operating Income:
$6 million* (2017 season)
attendance:
Total: 415,543
Average: 24,444
(17 regular season home games, 2018)
Television deal:
$55 million over 10 years with Fox Sports West (now owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., pending regulatory approval)
•••
#8 LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Team valuation:
$305 million* (as of 2018)
Revenue: N/A
Operating Income: N/A
attendance:
Total: 374,716
Average: 22,042
(17 regular season home games, 2018)
Television deal:
$18 million over 3 years with Alphabet Inc.-owned YouTube TV
