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Ranking the Most Valuable MLB Franchises

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Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the oldest and most successful professional sports leagues in the world. As such, it should come as no surprise that some of its teams are among the most valuable franchises in all of sports.

Do you follow the financials of your team just as closely as you do the stats and standings? Do money ball tactics fascinate you more than instant replay arguments? If so, this article is the one for you. We’re here to rank the most valuable Major League Baseball franchises in terms of net worth – from both a historical perspective and in today’s landscape.

When it comes to the current landscape, the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers are the teams to beat. At least one of those two teams has reached the World Series in each of the last six seasons, and the team from Texas is the current reigning champion. They defeated the Philadelphia Phillies last fall, and Bovada’s baseball online betting odds make them the favorites to retain their crown once again when the new season gets underway at the end of March.

Only one of those two dynasties features in this list, however. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the three most valuable franchises in MLB today.

New York Yankees – Valuation $6bn

The Yankees have long been known as “the most valuable franchise in baseball,” and for good reason. According to Forbes, their current valuation stands at an impressive $6 billion, making them not only the most valuable team in MLB but also one of the most valuable sports franchises in all of North America.

The team’s success on and off the field is undeniable; since their inception in 1903, they have won 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants. They also boast some of the best merchandise sales figures in all of sports. All this has helped them to become one of the wealthiest teams in professional sports history.

These guys have been crushing it both on and off the pitch for decades. We’re talking about a who’s-who of baseball icons, including legendary players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter. But it’s not just their game performance that’s impressive – the Bronx Bombers have also managed to build a massive, loyal fan base that spans across generations. And let’s not forget the billion-dollar empire they’ve built, from their swanky Yankee Stadium to major merchandising deals.

Despite their financial windfall in recent years, however, success has been hard to come by. The Yankees have picked up just two World Series crowns since the turn of the millennium, and while they may well still be the most valuable franchise in all of baseball, trophies continue to elude them.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Valuation $4.1bn

One team that trophies do not elude however is the Los Angeles Dodgers. That California outfit has been a part of MLB’s landscape since 1883 when they were originally located in Brooklyn. In 1958 however, the franchise relocated to California and never looked back.

In 2019, they had an estimated valuation of $4.1 billion, good enough for second on this list. This high valuation can be attributed to their successful runs over recent years; they have won seven National League Championships since their move to the City of Angels of over six decades ago. As well as that, they have picked up seven World Series titles overall with their most recent success coming in 2020 with a 4-2 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

That title was particularly satisfying as the Dodgers were on the receiving end of heartbreak just two years prior. In 2017 and 2018, they reached back-to-back World Series, only to be downed firstly by the Houston Astros and then by the Boston Red Sox. Speaking of them…

Boston Red Sox – Valuation $3.9bn

The Boston Red Sox is another team that has been around for well over a century and has a current valuation estimated at $3.9 billion according to Forbes’ latest rankings. They handed the Dodgers a shock defeat in the 2018 World Series to pick up their ninth crown, a figure only bettered by the St. Louis Cardinals and the aforementioned New York Yankees. This valuation makes them third on our list but still highly valued by fans across North America.

Their home stadium, Fenway Park, is widely known as “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” and for good reason. The Red Sox have been strutting their stuff there since 1912, making it one of the oldest active stadiums on the entire planet.

Part of the Red Sox’s valuation is in part thanks to their rivalry with the team at the top of this list, the New York Yankees. Their rivalry is an age-old feud that has persisted through generations of passionate baseball fans. It’s like the Capulets and Montagues of the sports world, but instead of resulting in tragedy, this long-standing competition has actually driven both teams to immeasurable success.

From packed stadiums and sky-high TV ratings during their epic showdowns, to the sale of hats, jerseys, and memorabilia, there’s no denying that the animosity between Red Sox Nation and the Bronx Bombers has helped fill the coffers of both franchises and as well as the MLB as a while. It’s a testament to the power of rivalry that, despite occasional dips in performance, the popularity and commercial explosiveness of these two powerhouse teams just keeps on growing.

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