Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams 2019
Chris Smith – Forbes Staff Writer – has just recapped the Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams 2019: Atlanta Stays On Top As Expansion Fees, Sale Prices Surge. Nothing really new ….
According to Forbes, Major League Soccer’s surging expansion fees and sales prices are not being driven by financial performance. Clearly.
Atlanta United is the league’s most valuable team for the second year in a row, now worth $500 million.
Atlanta made the playoffs in each of its three MLS seasons and won the MLS Cup last year … plus they have connected with their city unlike any other with an amazing marketing campaign than reinforces their on field prowess.
New this year is FC Cincinnati. Though the team only won six games during its debut season, Cincinnati’s average home game attendance of 27,000, ranks third among MLS teams. Not bad for a beginner with a low winning record.
Overall, ticket sales to MLS games are strong — Atlanta United has shown the world how consistently packed a stadium can be — and, America’s love affair with soccer is deepening, most soccer teams in the USA operate at a loss.
FORBES MLS 2019 LIST
| Team | Value | Revenue ($M) | Operating Income ($M) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta United | 500 | 78 | 7 |
| 2 | LA Galaxy | 480 | 64 | 5 |
| 3 | LAFC | 475 | 50 | -5 |
| 4 | Seattle Sounders | 405 | 47 | 1 |
| 5 | Toronto FC | 395 | 43 | -19 |
What defies normal business logic is that although the financial metrics disappoint, they do not seem to slow down investment in American soccer.
Will there be gold at the end of the World Cup 2026 rainbow?
Only time will tell, but the benefit is the growth of professional soccer and player development on our soil. Hopefully, this boom will compensate and eventually turn around losses as those Toronto FC incur.
While New York City FC, Chicago Fire, Minnesota United, New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, Vancouver Whitecaps, Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, and Montreal Impact all have negative operating incomes in the millions according to Forbes, Toronto leads the pack with the largest loss. All the figures are Forbes estimates.
Fun Fact: The average MLS team is now worth $313 million, up 30% year-over-year.
Fun Fact: The 23 teams that played in 2018 generated more than $800 million in revenue.
The list of MLS teams in the black — earning money — is unfortunately far shorter. Topping the list on Forbes estimates of MLS teams making money is Atlanta United, followed by LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, DC United and Seattle Sounders.
For the full list, please visit Forbes.
