Unpacking The Bill: How Much Would It Cost To Buy Every Single NFL Team?

Cordie Moore 01 Aug 2025

Have you ever sat watching a Sunday game, perhaps, and wondered just what it would take to own a piece of that action? We often talk about individual team values, but what if you wanted to go all in? What if, say, you had a grand vision of acquiring every single NFL franchise? It's a fun thought experiment, a bit like dreaming big, and the numbers involved are truly mind-boggling, you know.

The National Football League stands as America’s most popular sports league, so it's no surprise, really, that its teams are worth incredible sums of money. These aren't just sports franchises; they are massive businesses, bringing in huge revenues from media rights, stadium deals, and, of course, devoted fans. This means, naturally, that buying into this exclusive club comes with a hefty price tag, and buying the whole thing is another level entirely, obviously.

If you're curious about the ultimate sports investment, or just want to grasp the sheer scale of the NFL's financial power, you've come to the right place. We're going to explore what it would actually cost to purchase all 32 NFL teams, breaking down the figures and looking at why these valuations have grown so much, in a way. So, let's get into the incredible financial landscape of professional football, shall we?

The NFL's Collective Worth: Then and Now
What Drives These Sky-High Valuations?
The Average Cost of an NFL Team Today
The Most Valuable Franchises
Hidden Costs and Ownership Rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The NFL's Collective Worth: Then and Now

To buy the entire NFL, you would, of course, need to purchase all 32 of its teams. The value of these franchises has seen truly incredible growth over the years, which is pretty amazing. Back in 2013, for instance, Forbes valued all NFL teams combined at around $37.44 billion dollars, a figure that, honestly, seemed huge at the time. That was, in fact, an average of about $1.17 billion per team, which was quite a sum.

Fast forward to today, and the picture looks very, very different. Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the 32 franchises have a combined value that reaches a staggering $163 billion. That's a truly massive jump, wouldn't you say? To put that into perspective, that amount is, apparently, as much as Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association combined, which is just wild.

This huge increase shows, quite simply, the incredible financial power and continued growth of professional football. It's not just a sport; it's a financial juggernaut, so it seems. The valuations have gone up because of various factors, like media rights deals and team sales, among other revenue opportunities, you know.

What Drives These Sky-High Valuations?

The reasons behind the soaring values of NFL teams are, in fact, quite clear when you look at them. It's not just one thing; rather, it's a combination of powerful forces that keep pushing these numbers higher and higher, which is fascinating. We can point to a few key areas that really make a difference, as a matter of fact.

Media Rights Deals: A Major Player

One of the biggest drivers of value, honestly, comes from media rights deals. These agreements, which allow networks and streaming services to broadcast games, bring in colossal amounts of money for the league and its teams. As more platforms compete for the right to show NFL action, the prices, naturally, go up, and the teams benefit directly from that, obviously.

For instance, fans are now paying nearly $900 to watch every NFL game this season across various streaming services, which is quite a commitment. This willingness to pay, in turn, fuels the demand for broadcast rights, which, in turn, increases the overall value of the franchises, you know. It’s a powerful cycle, really.

Team Sales and Market Demand

Every time an NFL team is sold, it sets a new benchmark for valuations, so it seems. These sales often happen at prices higher than previous ones, which, in a way, pushes up the average value across the league. The demand to own an NFL team is incredibly high, and the supply, naturally, is very limited, which drives prices up, as you might expect.

There's also a trend, apparently, where one person or one family often takes on the primary ownership, which can simplify the process but also means they need significant capital. This strong demand from wealthy individuals or groups looking for a prestigious and profitable asset keeps the market, quite simply, very competitive, you know.

Stadium Deals and Brand Power

Stadium deals also play a very big role in a team's valuation. Modern stadiums, often built with public and private funds, offer incredible revenue opportunities through luxury suites, concessions, and other events, you know. A team with a fantastic stadium, therefore, tends to be worth more, as a matter of fact.

Beyond that, the brand power of each NFL franchise is immense. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, for example, have become global brands, far exceeding just their local fan base. This brand recognition, which includes everything from merchandise sales to sponsorship opportunities, adds significantly to their overall monetary worth, as you can imagine. Forbes, for instance, considers the monetary worth of the sport, market, stadium deals, and brand when compiling these valuations, so it's a comprehensive look.

The Average Cost of an NFL Team Today

While the overall league value is one thing, it’s also useful to look at the average cost of a single team, you know. This gives us a clearer picture of the individual components that make up that massive $163 billion total. The numbers here have also seen some truly incredible changes over time, as a matter of fact.

According to Forbes, a few years ago, the average NFL team was valued at about $2.52 billion, which was a significant figure. However, things have moved on quite a bit since then, as you might expect. As of 2024, the average cost to purchase an NFL team has reached an astounding $4.5 billion, which is a huge leap, obviously.

More recently, according to CNBC, the average NFL team is valued at a whopping $6.49 billion dollars. This represents major returns for league owners, which is pretty impressive. This figure, honestly, shows just how much these franchises are worth today, and it’s a testament to their enduring appeal and financial strength, you know.

It’s also worth noting that in 2021, the average franchise value in the NFL stood at about $3.48 billion. So, you can see, the growth has been very consistent and very strong, which is quite interesting. This consistent upward trend makes owning an NFL team a very attractive proposition for the super-rich, it seems.

The Most Valuable Franchises

While the average cost is high, some teams, naturally, stand out as being worth considerably more than others, you know. The value of each NFL franchise varies widely, with some teams commanding prices well over $5 billion, while others are valued at "just" over $4 billion, which is still a massive amount, obviously.

The Dallas Cowboys, for example, consistently rank as the most valuable team in the league. In 2021, their franchise was valued at $6.5 billion U.S. dollars, which was, quite simply, an incredible amount. More recently, the Cowboys were valued at $10.1 billion, which is truly staggering, as a matter of fact.

This higher valuation for teams like the Cowboys comes from a combination of factors, including their immense fan base, their strong brand, and their significant revenue streams. They are, in a way, the gold standard of NFL ownership, and their value helps pull up the average for the entire league, you know.

Other teams, while still incredibly valuable, might not reach those top-tier figures. However, even the "least" valuable NFL teams are still worth billions, which underscores the overall health and financial power of the league as a whole, so it seems. It's a testament to the league's widespread popularity and business acumen, honestly.

Hidden Costs and Ownership Rules

Buying an NFL team isn't just about the sticker price; there are, apparently, hidden costs and specific rules that apply to ownership, too. The NFL has very particular requirements for who can own a team and how that ownership group must be structured, which is pretty strict, you know.

For instance, a principal NFL owner must be able to pay for at least 30% of a team, which means they need a huge amount of liquid cash. An ownership group, furthermore, can’t exceed 25 people, which keeps the decision-making relatively streamlined. The NFL requires that an incoming general partner buy at least a 30% stake in the team, which is a significant commitment, obviously.

Beyond the purchase price, owners also face ongoing operational costs, which include player salaries, coaching staff, stadium maintenance, and various other expenses. Owning an NFL team is, quite simply, a massive financial undertaking that goes well beyond the initial acquisition, as a matter of fact.

So, if you were to consider buying every single NFL team, you’d not only need the $163 billion purchase price, but also billions more for the ongoing operational costs and a very clear understanding of the league's ownership rules. It’s a very complex financial landscape, honestly.

Learn more about NFL team ownership on our site, and link to this page here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the average value of an NFL team today?

As of 2024, the average cost to purchase an NFL team has reached an astounding $4.5 billion, which is a huge amount. More recently, according to CNBC, the average NFL team is valued at a whopping $6.49 billion dollars, which represents major returns for league owners, you know.

Which NFL team is the most valuable?

The Dallas Cowboys consistently rank as the most valuable team in the league, so it seems. They were valued at $10.1 billion recently, which is truly a staggering amount, as a matter of fact.

Why have NFL team valuations increased so much?

Valuations have increased significantly due to several key factors, including lucrative media rights deals, strong demand in team sales, and valuable stadium deals. The league's immense popularity also contributes to its overall financial strength, which is pretty clear, you know.

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