The Golden State Warriors have become the NBA’s most valuable franchise at $7.56 billion, according to Sportico’s latest ranking.
The Warriors had $800 million in gross revenue last season, which was 50 percent higher than any other franchise. The revenue gap between the Warriors and the rest of the NBA is even greater than the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, who generate roughly 40 percent and 25 percent more venue than their league’s number two.
The Cowboys are the only franchise in the world worth more than the Warriors at $7.64 billion.
“Our basketball team will always be our primary focus,” Joe Lacob said in a phone interview. “But I view our future as a sports, entertainment, media and technology company.”
Lacob believes the Warriors can become like Disney in diversifying their business after starting with animated movies and adding theme parks.
“There is no reason we can’t do some of those things over the long term,” he said.
The Warriors make more than double any other franchise in sponsorships ($150 million) and premium seating ($250 million), but they are locked in a below-value local TV deal.