Proving that on-field success doesn’t always correlate with off-field financial realities, the Dallas Cowboys once again sat atop Sportico’s 2025 NFL Franchise Valuations Ranking.
The ranking, now in its sixth year, compiles and estimates a combination of “team value” (including local and national revenues) and team-related business and real estate holdings where the franchise owner holds equity.
The Cowboys — currently embroiled in a stand-off with its star player over contract size, but also the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary series — led the league for the sixth straight year, with a $12.8 billion valuation, up 24 percent from Sportico’s value for the franchise in its 2024 ranking.
In a vivid demonstration of the perennial financial strength of being an NFL team owner, all 32 teams saw year-over-year valuation increases from 12 percent (No. 27-ranked Carolina Panthers, now $5.76 billion, up from $5.13 billion in 2024) to 34 percent increases for the No. 2-ranked Los Angeles Rams (2025 valuation: $10.43 billion) and No. 3-ranked New York Giants (2025 valuation: $10.25 billion).
The 2025 top 5 remained the same from last year’s edition:
- Cowboys ($12.8 billion)
- Rams ($10.43 billion)
- Giants ($10.25 billion)
- Patriots ($8.76 billion)
- 49ers ($8.76 billion)
Highest riser
The Detroit Lions ($5.88 billion), whose 19 percent valuation increase from 2024 to 2025 (mirroring the team’s surge in on-field success), saw it jump from No. 28 to No. 25.
Sportico has released its NFL franchise valuations, with the Cowboys retaining the top spot and creeping up towards the $13 billion mark 🤑
What else stands out to you?
(via @sportico) pic.twitter.com/6JZEFVulX6
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 13, 2025
What about the Super Bowl champs?
The Philadelphia Eagles ($8.43 billion) saw a 25 percent jump in valuation year over year, with a rise up the rankings from No. 8 in 2024 to No. 6 this season. Two other teams jumping two spots — both into the top half of the league — are the Denver Broncos ($6.55 billion), going from No. 17 to No. 15, and the Kansas City Chiefs ($6.53 billion), up from No. 18 to No. 16. There was no indication of any “Taylor Swift premium” assigned to the Chiefs’ valuation. For what it’s worth, Swift was given a net-worth valuation of $1.6 billion from Forbes in 2024.
A slightly quirky Bears valuation?
The 2025 ranking lists the Chicago Bears at No. 11, with a $7.45B valuation, up 19 percent from 2024. Last week, Sportico reported that the Bears resolved an ownership issue over a sliver of the company that valued the team at $8.8B, which would have ranked 4th on the 2025 list.
You can view the entire 2025 list, the methodology and historical rankings here.
(Photo: Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Netflix)
