Blackhawks 5th on Forbes Most Valuable List
On Monday, Forbes released their 2013-14 NHL organization value rankings. The Chicago Blackhawks were fifth, with an estimated value of $625 million. The four clubs ahead of Chicago were:
- Toronto – $1.15 billion
- NY Rangers – $850 million
- Montreal – $775 million
- Vancouver – $700 million
I, for one, do not believe Forbes rankings in the slightest. Until they open their books, it’s just a guessing game for everyone.
Thanks Tab, I looked at the list and there are some interesting facts. This analysis by Forbes was done BEFORE the lockout and was based at the end of the 2012 season.
The original 6 rank 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 (Bruins 6 and Red Wings 9). Flyers, Pens and Kings round out the top ten.
Blackhawks ranked as the 3d most profitable team.
11 of 30 teams lost money including surprisingly, St Louis.
The Avs just broke even.
Toronto ranked 1st in revenue (value of all sales) at $142mm ($27mm more than the Hawks).
14 teams had sales under $80mm, 5 teams have sales under $70mm and the NYI actually have sales under the current salary cap. Their total sales in 2012 was $61mm.
I for one find it surprising the Vancouver jumped into the top 5, they are the highest ranked non Orginal 6 team,….interesting
JS, You are right to be skeptical about these numbers. Most, if not all, of these teams are privately held. The numbers obtained by the researcher/reporter are based on interviews with team representatives. Then the researcher/reporter comes up with an educated guess based on information he/she is given. This is certainly not perfect analysis. That said, Forbes typically does a good job at this stuff and is well respected for their valuations.
true or not…lets raise ticket prices some more!!
Ticket prices are ridiculous….but not as bad as basketball, even though there are 12 players on a team, they can add 1000 seats and they have HUGE TV money compared to the NHL. Unfortunately for us hokey fans, ticket sales generate a very large share of their revenue, especially in smaller markets. There are 8 or 10 teams that would not survive without revenue sharing from big market teams.
The NHL is popular but its popularity is extremely local. There were many HORRIBLE teams (including the Hawks) before the salary cap was instituted. With a few exceptions, almost all teams now are competitive, no more ties, a more offense minded league. Yet TB was the newest team to win a Cup. They have 2 of the most exciting players in the league. Yet, 20 miles outside of TB no one gives a rats ass. I don’t know how some of these teams survive.