Five divisions from both leagues make up the 10 most valuable teams in Major League baseball, with two coming from the NL Central (Cardinals & Cubs), the AL West (Angels & Rangers), NL West (Giants & Dodgers), NL East (Mets & Phillies) and the AL East (Red Sox & Yankees).
It’s worth mentioning, as everyone knows that the Yankees finish first when it comes to money, value and revenue, that they aren’t just the most valuable team in baseball, but the most valuable franchise in American sports.
St. Louis Cardinals – $716 Million
The Cardinals finished 2012 with a 88-74 record, making it to the NLCS, losing to the Giants. They opened 2013 with a 2-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They enjoyed $239 million in revenue and $19.9 million in profit last season, and the franchise plays in the best single-team baseball market in the country, usually among the leaders in TV ratings and attendance.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – $718 Million
With a revenue of $239 million, the Angels recorded an operating loss of $12.9 million, having their big signings of Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton to thank for that. They missed the postseason last year despite a 89-73 record, but did kick off the 2013 season with a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Texas Rangers – $764 Million
The Rangers posted an operating loss of $8.7 million while generating a revenue of $239 million last season, winning the AL West, but losing in the Wild Card playoffs to the Orioles. They enjoyed some impressive attendance numbers last season, finishing third in total attendance with 3.46 million fans, the most in franchise history.
San Francisco Giants – $786 Million
The Giants won the World Series for the second time in three years, coming from behind to win the NL West in 2012, while posting an operating profit of $17.6 million. The Giants are waiting for approval from the city to build the $1.6 billion Mission Rock neighborhood.
New York Mets – $811 Million
The Mets finished out of the postseason for the sixth consecutive time, winning only 74 games. They generated $232 million in revenue, posting an operating loss of $2.4 million. SportsNet New York, the regional sports network 65% owned by the Mets, refinanced $450 million of debt.
Philadelphia Phillies – $893 Million
The Phillies lost their grasp of the NL East for the first time since 2007, finishing at 81-81, their worst record since 2002. They generated $279 million in revenue and a profit of $0.6 million. They’re in the process of negotiating a new local television deal with CSN Philadelphia that could be worth twice as much as their present deal with network.
Chicago Cubs – $1 Billion
With a revenue of $274 million and a profit of $32 million, the Cubs continue to set new standards for failure, finishing with their worst record since 1966 in the beginning of another rebuilding phase. The Cubs generate $4 million annually from their share of rooftop viewers of Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
Boston Red Sox – $1.312 Billion
The Red Sox missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, but did open 2013 with a 8-2 win against the New York Yankees. They generated revenue of $336 million and an operating income of $23.9 million, enjoying the fact that Fenway Park was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it eligible for a $39.4 million tax credit and an equal amount from the state.
Los Angeles Dodgers – $1.615 Million
Despite their very expensive additions, the Dodgers missed the postseason for a third consecutive year in 2012, while posting a revenue of $245 million and an operating income of $3.2 million. The Dodgers have come to terms with Time Warner Cable for a long-term $7 billion television deal beginning with the 2014 season.
New York Yankees – $2.3 Billion
Not just the most valuable baseball team, but the most valuable sports franchise in North America. The Yankees got swept by the Tigers, which is always a bad way to end a season, in the ALCS. Thet generated revenue of $471 million, with an operating income of $1.4 million. The Yankees sold some of their interest in the YES Network as part of Fox’s purchase of 49% of the regional sport network in late 2012 and as part of the deal the team’s rights fee from YES will increase from $85 million this season to $350 million in 2042.