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WNBA, F1 Soar, While MLB, MLS Lag

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1 day ago

December 26, 2025

Sports team investments have received outsized attention in recent years, with dozens of new funds chasing market-beating returns in a category that is not correlated with most other assets.

But not all leagues are created equal and returns varied wildly in 2025. In the WNBA, the average franchise value rose 180% year-over-year, according to Sportico’s May WNBA valuations. On the other end, MLS team values ticked up only 6%, as the league grapples with generating more media revenue.

Here is a look at the eight sports entities Sportico valued in 2025 and what is fueling those changes. Leagues are ranked in order of the average team value. Sportico’s NWSL team valuations, which were delayed by a few months, will return in early 2026.

NFL ($7.13 billion)

Owners debated for several years about opening their league to institutional investors, and if they did, what it might mean for franchise values. The pro-PE crowd got its way in 2024, and a flurry of LP deals were inked over the next 12 months.

A half-dozen teams sold stakes at valuations of at least $8 billion, led by the Koch family’s purchase of 10% of the New York Giants at a valuation just over $10.5 billion. Almost no one thinks these LP deal values are at premiums to control ones, as can happen in startup leagues or with tiny stakes.

Sportico’s NFL valuations were led by the Dallas Cowboys at $12.8 billion, with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 32 ($5.5 billion). The one-year average jumped 20%.

“Private equity represents a sea change for the NFL, and you have almost every team talking to the approved PE firms,” Jeffrey Kaplan, Andalusian Sports Advisors co-founder, told Sportico in August. “It makes a lot of sense for NFL teams to consider the role of minority private equity capital.”

NBA ($5.51 billion)

The average NBA franchise value is up 113% from 2022, as a half-dozen teams were sold since then at ever-escalating prices. The latest was Mark Walter’s $10 billion buy of the Los Angeles Lakers that blew past the previous record sale for any sports team. William Chisholm’s group bought the Boston Celtics months earlier in a deal that valued the first tranche at $6.1 billion.

The Golden State Warriors led Sportico’s NBA valuations for the fifth straight year at $11.33 billion—only the Cowboys rank higher among global sports franchises. The league’s “get-in” price is $4 billion, with the Memphis Grizzles at No. 30, and the average rose 20%, matching the NFL’s gain.

League revenue is projected to hit $14.3 billion during the 2025-26 season, up 12% from last season. It marks Year 1 of the new media contracts with Amazon, ESPN/ABC and NBC that will bump each team’s TV revenue from $103 million to $143 million. The payouts rise roughly 7% per year on average, resulting in each team on track for $281 million for the 2034-35 season, based on a 30-team league. Forty years ago, each NBA team received roughly $1.5 million from national TV.

Formula 1 ($3.42 billion)

The 10 teams on the grid in 2025 rose 48% in value and are now more than double Sportico’s 2023 F1 team valuations, when the average was $1.61 billion. Ferrari was on top for the third straight year at $6.4 billion, but Mercedes ($5.88 billion) and McLaren ($4.73 billion) closed the gap at the top with their values up 49% and 78%, versus 34% for Ferrari.

“It’s a great time to be in Formula 1, as I think the pie is growing for everyone,” Jefferson Slack, Aston Martin’s head of commercial operations, said in a November interview. “The sport is moving towards a very healthy ecosystem. I think it is already there.”

Control sales are rare in F1, with only 10 teams ahead of Cadillac’s entry in 2026, but teams have sold LP stakes in recent years that reflect investor appetite for the race series that has thrived under Liberty Media’s ownership and the introduction of cost caps. The biggest deal was CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz buying 5% of Mercedes from its CEO and principal Toto Wolff at a $6 billion valuation.

MLB ($2.82 billion)

The New York Yankees lead the way at $8.39 billion, but the Los Angeles Dodgers ($7.73 billion) have closed the gap between the sport’s two financial titans. The valuation gap was $2.1 billion in 2022, but was $660 million in Sportico’s 2025 MLB valuations.

In 2024, the Dodgers became the first MLB team to reach $1 billion in gross revenue, thanks to the arrival of Shohei Ohtani, a World Series run and the biggest TV deal in the sport. The only other sports teams in the world to hit that mark are the Cowboys and LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Dodgers’ 23% increase and double-digit bumps for the Philadelphia Phillies ($3.39 billion) and San Diego Padres ($2.31 billion) drove the average value up 7%, but the gains aren’t consistent all the way down as the league grapples with a series of challenges that are intertwined with revenue disparity, media distribution and looming labor negotiations.

Global Soccer ($2.33 billion)

Sportico’s 50 most valuable soccer teams include 19 MLS franchises and 14 EPL clubs. Europe dominates the top of the financial table with six Premier League clubs in the top 15 and three each from LaLiga and Serie A. But MLS heavily populates the bottom 70% of the list, led by Los Angeles FC at No. 16.

The top 30 non-MLS teams were valued in May at $2.33 billion on average, with Real Madrid first at $6.53 billion, up 8% and ahead of Manchester United ($6.09 billion). Real Madrid is the first soccer club to generate €1 billion in operating revenue, and its fortunes soared with the five-year, $1.2 billion renovation of its Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Revenue multiples remain the standard by which most bankers value sports franchises. In MLS, teams are valued at an average of 9.4 times revenue, versus 4.9 times for the non-MLS teams in the top-50 list. Relegation risk and lack of restraints on player spending drive the discount.

Five of the top 15 clubs had an operating loss greater than $60 million combined during their past two seasons. PSG lost $60 million during the 2023-24 season, but it was better than the $117 million and $400 million shortfalls the previous two years.

NHL ($2.1 billion)

The good vibes between the NHL and its players union are in sharp contrast to the four work stoppages over the past two decades, including the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season. In June, the two sides ratified a new four-year labor deal, more than a year ahead of the expiration of the current CBA. The newfound harmony and hard salary cap are both notches in the league’s growth story.

The average NHL franchise was up 17% from 2024 by Sportico’s calculations. The total is more than double the $1.01 billion average in 2022. By comparison, the three-year change for the NBA is 83%, followed by the NFL at 72% and MLB lagging at 22%. The Toronto Maple Leafs rank first at $4.25 billion, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are No. 32 at $1.3 billion.

Among the five biggest North American sports leagues, a pair of NHL teams had the biggest valuation gains, as the Carolina Hurricanes ($1.92 billion, up 49%) and Florida Panthers ($1.89 billion, up 51%) converted dominant on-ice results into thriving businesses.

MLS ($721 million)

MLS is facing an inflection point in several ways, with a critical 24 months ahead covering a trio of major areas. The 2026 World Cup offers an opportunity to convert more casual sports fans—and more serious American soccer fans—into MLS fans. The league will pursue this objective as it changes its playing schedule to match the FIFA soccer calendar. And top of mind for many teams is how to unlock more value from media, after the league cut its 10-year Apple deal short three-and-a-half years to end in 2029.

The average team value rose 6% in Sportico’s January MLS valuations, with LAFC at No. 1 and worth $1.28 billion. Yet, the gains are not shared equally. Six teams rose in value at least 10%, fueled by new stadium projects or thriving local businesses, while a dozen teams inched up 3% or fewer.

The average club rose 31% from Sportico’s first MLS valuations in 2021, while the least-valuable club rose 22% during that time. For comparison, the NBA get-in price is up 127%, versus 122% in the NFL and just 10% for MLB, the latter of which has been hampered by the melting regional sports network model. The NHL had the greatest growth for its club ranked last, up 159%.

Real Salt Lake is the only MLS team sold during the past four years, but three teams are currently on the market in the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders.

WNBA ($269 million)

WNBA values rose 180% compared to 2024, which is more than double the previous biggest year-over-year gain for a major sports league—that happened when Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 and drove NBA prices higher across the board.

The Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever had the biggest one-year value gain at 273%, ranking third overall with a $335 million valuation. The 2024 champion New York Liberty were second at $420 million, with the second-largest gain of 222%.

Meanwhile, the WNBA’s most valuable team didn’t play its first game until 2025. The Golden State Valkyries led our May WNBA team valuations at $500 million, a 10x return from the expansion fee Golden State Warriors ownership, led by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, agreed to pay in October 2023.

Lacob and Guber bought the Warriors in 2010 for $450 million, and it took nine years for the franchise value to rise 1,000%. For the Valkyries, it was less than two years.

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Shorthanded Orange drops Holiday Classic opening game to Incline, Nev. –

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December 27, 2025

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Orange’s leading scorer Friday night Ivan Kim in the tournament opener. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Orange’s boys basketball team got off to a slow start and couldn’t recover, falling to Incline High of Nevada 52-32 in an opening round game of the 60th annual Orange Holiday Basketball Classic Friday at Orange.

Incline forward Halen Hanson led all scorers with 17 points to help the team snap a five-game losing streak and improved its record to 4-6 while Orange (5-9) lost its third consecutive game.

To see additional photos, click on the first photo:

Incline players left to right with Coach Tim Kelly, Halen Hansen, Jonah Miller, Lucas MacDonald and Andrew Bodel after the win Friday.

Orange Coach Jake Rhodes (fourth from left) talks to his team during a timeout.

Irvine players warm up before Friday’s game.

“We lack basketball awareness and making adjustments,” said Panthers Coach Jake Rhodes, who was missing four players due to sickness and unavailability. “We’re not shooting well. I think we’re shooting something like 18 percent from the 3-point line. We can’t continue to try and shoot over taller opponents in the paint. We must push through this and be focused on the fact that the team comes first.”

The Panthers fell behind 14-7 in the opening quarter but held Incline scoreless over the final 3:40 of the quarter and added baskets by Sebastian Nunez and Fernando Reyes to cut the lead to 14-11 after eight minutes of play.

Both teams didn’t shoot well in the second quarter. The Panthers were held to two baskets by Anthony Randle and Ivan Kim in the quarter but still only trailed 23-15 at halftime.

Orange’s shooting woes continued in the third quarter as the Panthers didn’t sink a bucket until Alex Villa nailed a 3-pointer with 1:12 left in the quarter, but Orange trailed 36-21 after three quarters and the Highlanders cruised to a victory.

“Shooting has been our big problem,” said Panthers assistant coach Rob Nasman. “Our defense is improving but as a team we’re still having too many lapses and we’re giving up too many second chance points.”

Orange forced 13 turnovers in the game but was never able to draw any closer than 10 points of the lead in the second half.

“We didn’t have the energy today; we need to come out with more energy,” said Ivan Kim , who led Orange with 13 points. “We know we’re better than this and we know what we are capable of, but we have to prove it.”

The Highlanders were consistently able to drive into the lane for layups and limited Orange to one shot on the offensive end. Incline also outrebounded the Panthers and moved the ball efficiently.

“Tonight was the best job we did all season getting Lucas MacDonald the ball in the key,” said Incline’s coach Tim Kelly. “We need to get him the ball more in the paint for him to be effective. We are still trying to find our identity as a team.”

“We did good getting back on defense, moving the ball, rebounding and getting key baskets,” said Hanson, who scored 10 points for the Highlanders.

In other tournament games, Fullerton defeated Boulder City, Nev. 54-42 and Shadow Ridge topped Irvine 50-49.

Notes:

—Orange will play Shadow Ridge of Nevada on Saturday at 6 p.m. while Incline faces Irvine at 7:30.

–—The Orange Holiday Basketball Classic is the longest running Christmas basketball Tournament in Orange County. The event started Friday, including boys’ and girls’ divisions with the girls championship game scheduled Tuesday at 6 p.m. The boys’ final will follow at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

—In the boys division, Pool A consists of Incline, Nevada; Irvine, Orange and Shadow Ridge of Nevada, Nev. Pool B will include Boulder City, Nevada, Cerritos, Fullerton, and Long Beach Wilson.

—In the girls division, Pool A includes Apple Valley, Laguna Hills, Montclair, and Valley Christian. Pool B includes Cabrillo, Fullerton, Irvine, Orange.

—Incline’s coach Tim Kelly is the son-in-law of former Servite football coach Larry Toner. Kelly said his son, John Paul Kelly, is currently an eighth grader and is a skillful basketball player who plans to relocate to Southern California next season and attend Servite or Mater Dei and play basketball.

—Incline High School is in Nevada on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

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After Lennart Karl success, Bayern Munich CEO intends to lean heavily on youth talent

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December 27, 2025

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Bayern Munich have, supposedly, always put an emphasis on academy talents and transitioning that talent to make an impact in the first team. However, for years it felt as if Bayern’s pool of youth talent had run dry. Blame the front office, blame the coaches or blame the general lack of talent. It doesn’t matter. Lennart Karl’s tremendous success story this season is single-handedly forging Bayern’s youth strategy for the future.

In an interview with Maximilian Koch of Abendzeitung, Bayern CEO, Christian Dreesen, stressed the importance of Karl’s emergence, the Bavarian side’s youth academy and how the club will continue to lean on academy players in the future.

“Lennart Karl is doing incredibly well,” exclaimed Dreesen (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Compared to other 17-year-olds, he’s simply much, much more mature. Christoph Freund, Max Eberl, and Vincent Kompany recognized his immense talent, which is why he got his chance. And he seized it. Of course, we couldn’t have expected him to establish himself so quickly. This has to be our path for the future. Lennart is an example for other talents at the academy that they can make it to the top. Just like Josip Stanišić, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Jamal Musiala before him. We’re investing a lot of money in the academy, and it has to pay off. A high percentage of players trained here are making it to the professional level – significantly more than at any other German club. To remain competitive in the medium and long term, we need to rely on a mix of homegrown players and international superstars like Harry Kane or Luis Díaz. Financially, the Premier League is too far ahead – especially when it comes to TV revenue. English clubs earn 80% more from domestic TV rights than their German counterparts, and the differences are even bigger internationally.”

The 58-year-old CEO went on to explain Bayern’s need to find creative ways to bridge the financial gap that exists between the Bundesliga and Premier, perhaps hinting that the youth academy could be a good example.

“We need to find other sources of revenue or further improve existing ones,” explained Dreesen. “Take sponsorship, for example; we’re doing very well there, among the top three European clubs. And we need to increase that even more. We’ll only be able to compete internationally in the future if we grow dynamically in sponsorship and merchandising. And then I’m not worried about the future. We have to work harder for it; for us, money doesn’t just seem to grow on trees like it does for others. We have to work for every euro and, above all, be careful about how we spend. It’s about our ambition to play top-level European football while simultaneously being financially stable. We have to try to maintain this balance. And that’s harder than it perhaps used to be.”

The recent emergence of Aleksandar Pavlović and Lennart Karl have certainly given Bayern impetus to trust and utilize the youth academy, something fans have been crying out for season upon season. Youth players also incur no transfer fee which comes as a massive positive on Bayern’s balance sheet. Considering Kompany’s knack for integrating young players into his squad as well as ‘Die Rekordmeister’s’ financial savvy, one can expect the academy to play an increasingly important role.

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Holland named ASWA Finalists for 4A Lineman of the Year | Sports

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December 27, 2025

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The Alabama Sports Writers Association has released the three finalists for Back and Lineman of the year in each classification.

Plainview junior Cole Holland has been name one of the three finalist for 4A Lineman of the Year along with Sharontae Bailey, Anniston and Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson.

Holland anchored the Bears offensive line this season as Plainview captured the 4A Region 8 Championship going 13-1 advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 1999. Holland blocked for an offensive that scored 586 points this season averaging 41.9 PPG. This year’s Bears offense scored the most points in school history, passing the 1991 team that scored 553 points.

ASWA FINALISTS

Winners of the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s major high school football awards, Mr. Football and the 12-member Super All-State team are scheduled to be announced Jan. 20 at a lunch banquet at the Montgomery Renaissance.

7A BACK

Zion Crumpton, Carver-Montgomery

Trent Seaborn, Thompson

Jayshaun Woodhouse, Central-Phenix City

7A LINEMAN

Malique Franklin, Daphne

Tristan Lyles, Central-Phenix City

Cam Pritchett, Thompson

6A BACK

Brock Bradley, Spain Park

Aaron Frye, Clay-Chalkville

Jamison Roberts, Saraland

6A LINEMAN

Ka’Mhariyan Johnson, Muscle Shoals

Anthony Jones Jr., St. Paul’s

Braylon Outlaw, Pike Road

5A BACK

Sammy Dunn, Vigor

Jake Harper, Fairview

Spencer Unruh, Corner

5A LINEMAN

Jabarrius Garror, Vigor

Ellis McGaskin, Williamson

Ba’Roc Willis, Moody

4A BACK

EJ Crowell, Jackson

Landon Duckworth, Jackson

Gunner Rivers, St. Michael

4A LINEMAN

Sharontae Bailey, Anniston

Cole Holland, Plainview

Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson

3A BACK

Jaxon Penn, Mars Hill Bible

Cedrick Simmons, Southside-Selma

Wendell Winston, Randolph County

3A LINEMAN

Monroe Partin, Bayside Academy

Samuel Swinney, Mars Hill Bible

Shadarius Toodle, Cottage Hill

2A BACK

Kylen Johnson, Coosa Christian

Cutter Mays, Pisgah

Kane Smith, Luverne

2A LINEMAN

Zayden Franklin, Coosa Christian

Jaylen Hill, Lanett

Owen Wadsworth, Southeastern-Blount

1A BACK

Nehemiah McCary, Maplesville

Blaize Wakefield, Hubbertville

Jaquez Wilkes, Wadley

1A LINEMAN

Marctavious Crittenden, Georgiana

Eli Hubbert, Maplesville

Tim Parnell, Leroy

AISA BACK

Ahmod Billins, Abbeville Christian

Kade Carroll, South Choctaw Academy

Peyton Yerta, Chambers Academy

AISA LINEMAN

Remington Faile, Patrician

Radarion Glover, Abbeville Christian

Eli Whorton, Chambers Academy

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One Month at a Time: Christmas is what you make it |

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December 27, 2025

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Rosenberg National Little League registration underway for 2026 season

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December 27, 2025

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Rosenberg National Little League (RNLL) has officially opened registration for the Spring 2026 baseball season, welcoming boys and girls ages 4 through 14 to participate in one of the community’s longeststanding youth sports programs.

The Spring 2026 season will run from February through late May, with all practices and games held at Seabourne Creek Regional Sports Complex in Rosenberg.

RNLL offers divisions ranging from Tee Ball for firsttime players through Junior Baseball for older youth, with a strong emphasis on player development, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Registration closes on Jan. 25. Players must be registered by the close of registration to be eligible for evaluations and team placement. Registration fees vary by division and help support uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, umpires, and league operations.

New for Spring 2026, RNLL is introducing a Rookie Ball division for players ages 5–6 who have completed one season of Tee Ball. Rookie Ball is designed to bridge the gap between Tee Ball and Coach Pitch by allowing players to see a limited number of coach-thrown pitches before using a tee if needed, helping young athletes build confidence while learning the fundamentals of live pitching.

Player evaluations will be held following the close of registration, except for Tee Ball and Rookie Ball, which do not require evaluations. Practices are expected to begin in early February, with games starting after Spring Break. The season will conclude prior to Memorial Day.

Rosenberg National Little League is led by dedicated volunteers and coaches who focus on teaching the game in a positive, supportive environment while fostering community involvement and youth development.

Families interested in registering for the Spring 2026 season can find additional information and complete registration online at www.rosenbergnationallittlelea-gue. net.

For updates and league announcements, the public is encouraged to follow Rosenberg National Little League on Facebook.

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Orange County boys basketball highlights, final scores for Friday, Dec. 26 –

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2 hours ago

December 27, 2025

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THE CLASSIC AT DAMIEN

LA HABRA 63, WASHINGTON PREP 48: Acen Jimenez led the Highlanders with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. Josh Desatoff and Aaron Wilson each had 15 points and three 3-pointers for La Habra.

FOOTHILL 69, AQUINAS 51: Magnus Lawson had 20 points, Braeden Davidson 18 points and five rebounds, Marlee Slone 12 points, six rebounds and five assits and Damir Buckingham seven points and four assists to lead the Foothill Knights.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN 64, REDWOOD 57: Pacifica Christian was led by Michael Noel, who scored 19 points and had assists. Joaquin Rigdon scored 18 points and Soloman Huang had seven points.

LOS AMIGOS 56, FOOTHILL, NEV. 51: Los Amigos (9-5) was led by Phillip Stewart, who had 18 points and seven rebounds and Jayvon Morgan, who had 10 points in the win over the Foothill team from Nevada.

JSERRA 71, ST. IGNATIUS, OHIO 70: The Lions (11-5) were led by Jaden Bailes with 29 points and Ryan Doane with 17 points.

Crean Lutheran 62, Owyhee 59

ESTANCIA COAST CLASSIC SHOOTOUT

WOODBRIDGE 65, WESTERN 35: Woodbridge (11-4) was led by Jaiden Sabino, who had 31 points and Zacc Saleh who scored 10 points. Woodbridge faces Compton Saturday at 9 a.m. at Estancia.

NEWPORT HARBOR 53, SAN CLEMENTE 46: Owen Saukkola led all scorers with 23 points. Marcel Aguilar added 16 points for the Sailors (10-3).

RINGO BOSSENMEYER TUSTIN HOLIDAY CLASSIC

TESORO 55, MERCER ISLAND 49: The Titans (14-2) were led by Owen Hatch who scored 14 points, Carson Hatch who had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists and Max Draper, who had eight points and 10 rebounds. The Titans face St. Anthony Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Tustin meets Servite at 7:30 p.m.

St. Anthony 60, Beckman 59

Servite 81, Huntington Park 21

Tustin 69, Hawaii Baptist 29

TORREY PINES CLASSIC

CYPRESS 64, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 51: Ryan Gov led the Centurions (11-5) with 20 points. Ethan Mai added 18 points on six 3-pointers and Gavin Kroll had 14 points with two 3-pointers.

MT. CARMEL TOURNAMENT

EL DORADO 85, EASTLAKE, SAN DIEGO 69: Noah Barker had 20 points, Jack Boettner 18 points, Ryan Northcott 16 points, Elias Rodarte 15 points and Evan Nam 13 points to lead the Golden Hawks (13-1).

ORANGE HOLIDAY CLASSIC

SHADOW RIDGE 50, IRVINE 49: Irvine (7-8) was led by Evan Terakawa, who had 13 points. Holden Stearns and Chase Brito had 11 points each and Jalen Yim eight points for the Vaqueros, who face Incline, Nev. Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Fullerton 54, Boulder City, Nev. 42

Incline, Nev. 52, Orange 32

DESERT HOLIDAY CLASSIC

VILLA PARK 79, SIMI VALLEY 44: Villa Park (11-6) was led by Sebastian Perez, who had 17 points and four 3-pointers. Jordan Salem had 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Spartans. Jalen Cotton had 10 points and Nathan Chung nine points.

LAS VEGAS PREP CHAMPIONSHIPS

Doral Academy Red Rock 59, Sunny Hills 50

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

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