"Forbes" compiles an annual list of the most valuable franchises in Major League Baseball. It's based on revenue earned from ticket sales and TV deals, player salaries, operating costs, and a bunch of other factors.
This year, the New York Yankees are #1 . . . yet again. "Forbes" has done this list for 24 years, and they've topped it EVERY YEAR.
The five most valuable baseball franchises are:
1. New York Yankees, $5.3 billion
2. Los Angeles Dodgers, $3.6 billion
3. Boston Red Sox, $3.5 billion
4. Chicago Cubs, $3.4 billion
5. San Francisco Giants, $3.2 billion
The Cardinals are NUMBER 7 on this list at $2.2 billion.
And the five LEAST valuable are:
1. Miami Marlins, $990 million . . . The only team that hasn't cracked a billion.
2. Tampa Bay Rays, $1.055 billion
3. Kansas City Royals, $1.06 billion
4. Cincinnati Reds, $1.09 billion
5. Oakland Athletics, $1.1 billion
Most teams . . . if not all . . . suffered huge operating losses last season thanks to the pandemic. For example, the New York Mets had an operating loss of $125 million last season.