Bengals' franchise valuation makes huge leap from last year
There are no small potatoes in the business of the NFL. All 32 franchises are valued at a figure of $4 billion or more, including the Cincinnati Bengals. Sportico's 2023 NFL franchise valuations has the Bengals coming in at exactly $4 billion. While it is still the smallest figure out of all 32 franchises, that number […]
There are no small potatoes in the business of the NFL. All 32 franchises are valued at a figure of $4 billion or more, including the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sportico's 2023 NFL franchise valuations has the Bengals coming in at exactly $4 billion. While it is still the smallest figure out of all 32 franchises, that number has grown significantly since just last year.
The Bengals saw the second-largest percentage increase in value from 2022, increasing by a whopping 41% from their previous valuation of $2.84 billion. Only the Detroit Lions (43%) experienced larger growth from last year.
Sportico defines their valuation as, "The sum of the enterprise value of an NFL franchise combined with the value of team-related businesses and real estate holdings."
That the Bengals are now at a $4 billion valuation is an impressive feat considering the team's ownership operates in a smaller market and incurs revenue almost exclusively through its shared interest in NFL properties, but the franchise's efforts to add more corporate partnerships over the last year, including selling the stadium's naming rights to Paycor, has to have an impact on such a vast year-to-year increase.
Having a successful football team doesn't hurt, either. Stars like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase have widen the franchise’s brand and has made them far more marketable compared to year's past. Playoff and primetime exposure do wonders for any team.
It'll be interesting to see if the Bengals rise out of dead last in next year's valuation. The growth they're on now makes that a realistic possibility.
Bengals fans will enjoy attending home games much more this season
Major kudos to the front office.
Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
