The Dallas Cowboys have achieved an unprecedented milestone, becoming the first professional sports team in history to be valued at over $10 billion. According to Sportico’s 2024 NFL rankings, the Cowboys are now worth an astounding $10.32 billion, solidifying their status as the most valuable franchise in the league.
Owned by Jerry Jones, who purchased the team in 1989 for $140 million (equivalent to roughly $355 million today), the Cowboys have experienced a meteoric rise in value under his leadership. Despite their on-field struggles in recent years, which have seen only five playoff wins since their last Super Bowl victory in 1996, the Cowboys continue to thrive as a financial powerhouse.
In 2023 alone, the Cowboys generated an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue, a figure that dwarfs the second-highest earning NFL team, the Los Angeles Rams, by 50%. The Rams, valued at $7.79 billion, have climbed to second place in Sportico’s rankings, overtaking the New York Giants, who now sit in third place at $7.65 billion. The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers round out the top five, with valuations of $7.31 billion and $6.86 billion, respectively.
While the Cowboys’ latest valuation reflects a 12% increase year-over-year, other teams have also seen significant gains. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, have surged up 12 places to 16th on the list, with a valuation of $5.5 billion—an impressive 33% increase from last year. Conversely, the Los Angeles Chargers have experienced a notable drop, falling four spots to 22nd.
The NFL as a whole continues to dominate the sports industry in terms of team value. The average NFL franchise is now worth $5.93 billion, a 15.4% increase from 2023, demonstrating the league’s unrivaled financial success. Even the Cincinnati Bengals, the league’s least valuable team, are worth $4.71 billion—a figure that surpasses the value of all but 15 non-NFL sports franchises globally.
Despite their lack of recent championship success, the Cowboys’ brand remains stronger than ever, proving that the team’s allure extends far beyond the football field. With Jerry Jones at the helm, the Cowboys have become synonymous with both commercial acumen and sporting ambition, setting a new benchmark for sports franchises worldwide.
