Billion-Dollar Madness: Inside the Explosive Rise of NFL Team Valuations in 2025

When Forbes dropped its 2025 NFL Team Valuation report, jaws didn’t just drop—they shattered on the floor. The Dallas Cowboys, America’s so-called “Team,” have now become the world’s most expensive sports franchise at an eye-popping $13 billion. To put that in perspective, that’s more than the GDP of some small countries and double what the Cowboys were worth just four years ago.

For nearly two decades, Jerry Jones has sat atop the NFL mountain, turning the Cowboys into more than just a football team—they are a global empire. The $13 billion figure doesn’t just represent a valuation, it represents a cultural juggernaut, a money-printing machine, and perhaps the ultimate status symbol for billionaires who would kill to own a piece.

And yet, the Cowboys are not alone in this billionaire carnival. The Los Angeles Rams stormed into second place at $10.5 billion, with the New York Giants right behind them at $10.1 billion. For the first time in history, the NFL has three teams worth more than $10 billion, creating a new elite club that seems destined only to grow larger in the years ahead.

Every Team Is Worth Billions—Even the “Worst” Ones

What’s perhaps more shocking is that the floor in the NFL is now at $5.25 billion. Yes, you read that right—the Cincinnati Bengals, a team long mocked for frugality and inconsistency, are still worth more than the entire collection of NHL franchises. Think about that: a single “bottom-tier” NFL team is valued higher than all of hockey’s proud institutions.

The average NFL franchise is now valued at $7.1 billion, a 25% leap from last year and more than double the numbers seen in 2021. The NFL has officially separated itself from every other sport on Earth, including the NBA, MLB, and global soccer giants.

Why the Explosion?

There are three major factors behind this insane financial surge:

Television and Media Deals – The NFL’s national broadcasting rights are locked in at a staggering $125.5 billion over the next decade. But insiders expect that number to skyrocket even further after 2029, especially given the NBA’s recent $76 billion deal. The NFL’s global streaming expansion, including its partial acquisition of ESPN, is already rewriting the playbook.

Unstoppable Revenue Growth – The league pulled in an estimated $21.2 billion in 2024, up 74% from four years ago. The Cowboys alone generated $1.2 billion in revenue—more than $400 million ahead of any rival—and pocketed $629 million in profit. To put it bluntly, Dallas makes more in profit than half the league makes in total revenue.

The Billionaire Effect – Owning an NFL team has become the ultimate billionaire flex. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross sold a 13% stake of his holding company at an $8.1 billion valuation. The 49ers saw a minority slice go for $8.6 billion. Even small percentage stakes are going at record prices, proof that there’s no shortage of ultra-rich buyers desperate to get in.

The Cowboys Are in a League of Their Own

No team embodies the NFL’s financial dominance like the Dallas Cowboys. With their iconic brand, massive fan base, and Jerry Jones’ relentless business machine, the Cowboys are practically an ATM. Strip away the $440 million that every NFL team gets from shared league revenue, and Dallas still generated nearly $800 million in local revenue. That’s more than the total income of nearly every other team in the league.

The Cowboys’ empire extends far beyond the field. From merchandising to sponsorships, from “The Star” entertainment complex to their global branding, the team has become more like Disney or Apple than a mere football franchise. The valuation is less about touchdowns and more about empire-building.

What Does This Mean for Fans?

On the surface, these numbers are dazzling, but they also raise uncomfortable questions. If the average NFL team is worth $7 billion, why do ticket prices, concessions, and merchandise continue to skyrocket? Why are taxpayers often footing the bill for new stadiums when owners are swimming in record profits?

Fans may love their teams, but they’re increasingly aware of the business side of football. Every time the Cowboys or Rams hit a new valuation milestone, regular fans feel the pinch at the turnstile. The NFL’s money machine is booming, but the human cost is real.

The Future: Even Bigger Numbers Ahead

What’s next? Bankers believe the Cowboys could fetch more than $15 billion if Jerry Jones ever put them on the market. International expansion, streaming rights, and gambling partnerships are all expected to pour even more billions into the NFL pipeline. Some insiders whisper that within 10 years, NFL franchises could be routinely worth $20 billion or more.

But for now, 2025 belongs to Jerry Jones and his Cowboys. They’ve galloped past every rival, shattered every record, and cemented themselves not just as the NFL’s crown jewel but as the most valuable sports franchise in the history of humanity.

And the scariest part? This might just be the beginning.