A lucrative U.S. national TV deal for the NBA combined with five division titles in six seasons has propelled the Raptors past the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays in franchise value, making the team the most valuable sports franchise in the country, experts say. The Raptors are now worth about $1.8 billion (all figures U.S.), but could sell for well over $2 billion, according to some estimates. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOWVrooman estimates the Raptors now have a franchise value of $1.8 billion, up from a $1.7 billion estimate calculated by Forbes magazine before the Raptors made the NBA Finals. In the NHL, just 20 per cent of the average team’s revenue comes from leaguewide contracts. Local TV contracts and other revenue, including arena sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales account for 80 per cent of the average NHL team’s revenue and 50 per cent of an NBA team’s revenue.

Source: thestar June 04, 2019 22:18 UTC