NFL franchise values hit $9.34B average for 2026

NFL franchise valuations rose sharply heading into the 2026 season, with the average team now priced at $9.34 billion , according to Sportico data. The dataset shows that figure is 31% higher than a year earlier, which Sportico described as the league’s biggest one-year jump in at least a decade.

Sportico linked the increase to a combination of strong media-rights agreements, expanding stadium-driven income, and headline ownership transactions. Based on the figures cited, the new valuations reinforce the NFL’s position as the most financially dominant professional sports league by team value.

Top and bottom valuations widen the league’s pricing range At the top of Sportico’s table At the top of Sportico’s table, the Dallas Cowboys again ranked first with a valuation of $15.5 billion. At the lower end, the Cincinnati Bengals were valued at $7.4 billion, according to the same dataset. Even the lowest figure remains high by broader sports benchmarks. Sportico said the Bengals’ valuation exceeds the value of all but six professional sports teams globally outside of the NFL, underscoring how far NFL pricing has separated from much of the wider market. Revenue model and deal prices signal sustained investor demand Sportico’s summary also pointed to the NFL’s centralized revenue-sharing structure as a key factor often cited by officials and analysts. The figures, as framed in the dataset, suggest that the league’s model supports valuation strength across the full standings rather than concentrating gains only among a few top franchises.

Dallas Cowboys

Ownership activity was highlighted as another marker of current pricing power. A purchase agreement for the Seattle Seahawks was cited at $9.6 billion , described as a record valuation for an NFL team sale.

Sportico’s comparison said that number is 59% above the previous record, set by the sale of the Washington Commanders in July 2023 . In Sportico’s framing, the size of the step-up is being treated as evidence of the premium buyers are currently willing to pay for NFL assets.

Stadium control and market size drive team-to-team differences

While on-field results can affect perception and commercial trajectory, Sportico’s data summary emphasized that market size and control over stadium operations are the primary drivers behind valuation gaps. The focus on stadium economics reflects teams’ ability to generate revenue beyond national media distributions.

As examples of year-over-year movement, Sportico said the New York Jets climbed into the top five most valuable franchises. The Atlanta Falcons recorded a 39% increase in value, according to the dataset.

Uncertainty remains around media shifts and stadium development

Sportico indicated that rising valuations have helped sustain interest in team ownership and could support further record-level transactions. However, Sportico also noted that future rankings may hinge on how changes in the media environment and new stadium developments unfold across the league.

For now, the updated figures show a broad reset higher in NFL franchise pricing ahead of the 2026 season, with valuations at both the top and bottom of the league sitting at levels rarely matched elsewhere in global professional sports.