While most of the teams in the top 10 of the most valuable NFL franchises heading into the 2013 NFL season experiences some sort of success last year, including the two Super Bowl teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, the presence of the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys in the list demonstrated the important of a brand name, and not just success on the field.
As always, the information comes from the list Forbes put out, which includes details like the average value of an NFL team, standing at $1.17 Billion, with even the constantly failing Cleveland Browns estiamted at $1 billion.
San Francisco 49ers – $1.224 Billion
The Super Bowl finalists generated a revenue of $255 million in 2012, with an operating income of $10.2 million. Their new stadium, which should open in 2014, will be called Levi’s Stadium, a 20-year, $220 million naming rights deal for the franchise.
Baltimore Ravens – $1.227 Billion
The Super Bowl champions generated a revenue of $292 million in 2012, coming with an operating income of $48.3 million. As part of their restructuring program in the post- Super Bowl season, Joe Flacco received a six-year, $120 million deal, while many veteran players like Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard and others were let go.
Chicago Bears – $1.252 Billion
The Bears missed out on the playoffs in 2012 for the second consecutive season despite posting a 10-6 record. They generated $298 million in revenue with a $63.2 million operating income, despite playing in the smallest stadium in the NFL, which can seat 61,500 fans.
Philadelphia Eagles – $1.314 Billion
The Eagles posted a 4-12 record in 2012, their worst season in 14 years, leading to the departure of Andy Reid after over a mostly successful decade. They generated $306 million in revenue with an operating income of $47.8 million. Chip Kelly is their new head coach, and the franchise is renovating Lincoln Field over the next two seasons, which will cost around $125 million.
New York Jets – $1.38 Billion
The New York Jets kept Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez despite a 6-10 season and two years in a row with no playoffs, not to mention the joke the team has become due to the media circus. They generated $321 million in revenue, with an operating income of $52.8 million, enjoying the lucrative MetLife stadium deal.
Houston Texans – $1.45 Billion
The Houston Texans won the AFC South and made the playoffs for a second straight season, but they need to get over the hump of the truly elite teams, losing in the divisional playoffs two years in a row. They generated $320 million in revenue with an operating income of $81.5 million.
New York Giants – $1.55 Million
The Giants usually follow a Super Bowl season with a disappointing one, but the Jets, Eagles and Cowboys doing so badly probably didn’t hurt. They generated $338 million in revenue with a $64.4 million operating income, and their average attendance last season was the second highest in the NFL behind the Cowboys.
Washington Redskins – $1.7 Billion
It seems like the selection of Robert Griffin III changed the present and potential future of the Washington Redskins, if he’ll be back healthy and just as good as he was last season. The team generated a revenue of $381 million last season, with an operating income of $104.3 million.
New England Patriots – $1.8 Billion
Interesting fact about the Patriots, also via Forbes: They’ve sold out every home game since 1994 even though their ticket prices are second-highest in the league. They generated $408 million in revenue in 2012, with an operating income of $139.2 million.
Dallas Cowboys – $2.3 Billion
The Dallas Cowboys continue to show the incredible difference between success on and off the field, failing to make the playoffs for three straight years, but in the meanwhile not really hurting their nationwide popularity, remaining the most valuable team in the land, with the highest attendance numbers as well. They generated $539 million in revenue, with an operating income of $250.7 million.