Earlier this week, released their updated report on the valuations of NHL franchises. The news here isn’t that NHL teams are worth a lot of money. It’s that league-wide valuations have skyrocketed like we’ve never seen.
The Chicago Blackhawks ranked fourth in the league at a staggering $1.84 billion — a 28 percent increase! (28? What? Steve Larmer‘s number should be retired? Sorry, sidetracked…) NH🌠L franchise values increased by an average of 31 percent year-over-year, in lar𒁏ge part because of the sale price of the Ottawa Senators and other minority stakeholders moving their pieces (recently the Lightning, Wild, Devils and Predators) at massive valuations.
And yes, all of the Original Six franchises still rank in the top ten — even Detroit.
Frank Seravalli at notes these valuations may st๊ill actually be lighter than they should be.
“The clearest evidence of that is in the valuation of the Montreal Canadiens, the venerable institution listed by Sportico as the NHL’s third most valuable franchise at $2.27 billion (all figures USD). [Michael] Andlauer reportedly sold his 10 percent stake in the Canadiens, as required to take control of the Senators, at a $2.5 billion valuation.”
This shows business is good for hockey at the highest level, with media rights deals in the United States in a significantly better place than they were a few years ago and the on-ice product performing incredibly well. Even non-traditional markets like Florida and Carolina have seen terrific growth in recent years. Sportico’s valuation has 22 teams now worth more than $1 billion — doubling last year’s number.
