Unveiling the Jaw-Dropping Price Tags: Which Sports Teams Reign as the Most Expensive Ever?
When the news broke that the Los Angeles Lakers might change hands for a staggering $10 billion, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It’s not just a number—it’s a seismic shift in the sports world’s financial landscape. Imagine, the iconic franchise, held close by the Buss family since ’79, on the verge of becoming the priciest team any sport has ever seen. Now, while Forbes lists the Dallas Cowboys at a slightly higher valuation, their sale happened decades ago, making this potential deal with TWG Global’s Mark Walter truly historic. And just to add some flavor, the Boston Celtics, fierce rivals on the hardwood, recently shattered records too—but still, the Lakers might just out-price them all. What’s wild is that American teams dominate the list of the priciest transfers—football, basketball, baseball—the cash flows deep and wide. Buckle up, because this saga isn’t just another headline; it’s a glimpse into a changing game of sports ownership like we’ve never seen before. LEARN MORE
Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist
15 minutes ago
*Figures are based on highest sports team sales and at the Los Angeles Lakers’ expected sale priceNo other football team enters the top 10 in terms of highest recorded sports team sales.Charlotte Hornets (Basketball) bnDallas Mavericks (Basketball) .5bnHow are Wimbledon wildcards decided?
We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest sporting events.Send us your questionsWe want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.Los Angeles Lakers (Basketball) bn
Top 10 highest sports team sales
Liverpool (27th) and Manchester City (32nd) also feature in Forbes’ most valuable sports teams list.
Should the sale of the Lakers – who have been owned by the Buss family since 1979, be completed – it will be the most expensive takeover in sports history.
Manchester United, with a valuation of .55bn (£4.9bn) are viewed as the most valuable English football team, ranking 14th in Forbes’ list. Although they did trail neighbours Manchester City in Deloitte’s Football Money League for 2025.Denver Broncos (American football) .65bnThe previous record sale for a sports team is one of the Lakers’ NBA rivals in the Boston Celtics, who were sold for .1bn (£4.5bn) in March this year.The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.Boston Celtics (Basketball) .1bn
More questions answered…
The Los Angeles Lakers’ proposed billion (£7.45bn) sale to the TWG Global CEO Mark Walter would make them the most expensive sports team in the world.
Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.
Forbes named Dallas Cowboys ahead of the Lakers’ estimated sale value with a valuation of .1bn (£7.5bn). However, they were last sold in 1989 to owner Jerry Jones.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
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