The Toronto Maple Leafs have the highest franchise value of any NHL team, according to Sportico.
.@Sportico has now done valuations for all five major U.S. leagues (shoutout to @kbadenhausen). Here's how they compare@NFL average: $3.5 billion@NBA average: $2.3 billion@MLB average: $2.2 billion@NHL average: $930 million@MLS average: $550 million pic.twitter.com/aupeyisPHZ
— Eben Novy-Williams (@novy_williams) October 14, 2021
The Leafs' value is pegged at US$2 billion, despite their Stanley Cup drought lingering since 1967.
Like many pro sports teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Leafs face more of a challenge than usual filling their venue. Attendance at their season opener on Wednesday was announced at 18,493, short of their traditional sellout.
Ontario agreed to allow sports teams to have full capacity just five days before the opener.
Four other Original Six teams -- The New York Rangers ($1.87 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($1.58 billion), Chicago Blackhawks ($1.56 billion) and Boston Bruins ($1.31 billion) -- round out the top five. The Detroit Red Wings -- the other Original 6 team -- are 10th at $1.03 billion.
The Edmonton Oilers ($1.16 billion) are ninth, the Vancouver Canucks are 11th ($980 million), the Calgary Flames are 16th ($840 million), the Winnipeg Jets are 22nd ($750 million) and the Ottawa Senators are 29th ($540 million).
The Arizona Coyotes ($410 million) are last.
Sportico reports the NHL's average franchise value is $930 million, ranking well below the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
.@Sportico has now done valuations for all five major U.S. leagues (shoutout to @kbadenhausen). Here's how they compare@NFL average: $3.5 billion@NBA average: $2.3 billion@MLB average: $2.2 billion@NHL average: $930 million@MLS average: $550 million pic.twitter.com/aupeyisPHZ
— Eben Novy-Williams (@novy_williams) October 14, 2021
Sportico also says every NFL franchise is ranked higher than the top NHL team. The Leafs come in at No. 59 overall among North American pro sports teams.
