Ranking the richest MLB teams currently: Find out which team tops the list

Ranking the richest MLB teams currently: Find out which team tops the list

Grace Waruguru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:26 PM

Netizens have been searching for the current richest MLB teams. Revenue, sponsorships, and market rate determine the wealth of these teams. Let us discover the teams with the highest earnings and net worth across the MLB.

Richest MLB teams
Saquon Barkley (Centre) of the New York Giants looks on with his colleagues during an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2023. Photo: Michael Owens
Source: Getty Images

The MLB (Major League Baseball) was formed in 1903 after a merger between two American professional baseball leagues, The National League (NL) and the American League (AL). The sport rakes in billions of dollars.

Who are the richest MLB teams?

Various individuals and families own the MLB teams, while some companies own others. Here are the richest MLB teams ranked:

20. Colorado Rockies - $1.385 billion

Charles and Richard Monfort, also known as the Monfort brothers, bought The Rockies for $95 million in 1992. The Denver-based team has an annual revenue of approximately $270 million.

One of the Colorado Rockies' prominent players is Nolan Arenado, who holds the record for the largest contract in the team's history. He signed an eight-year contract worth approximately $260 million at the start of the 2019 season.

19. Minnesota Twins - $1.39 billion

Richest MLB teams 2023
Bubba Thompson (Left), Ezequiel Duran (Centre), and Josh Smith (Right) of the Texas Rangers during a spring training team workout on February 23, 2023, in Surprise, Arizona. Photo: Ben Ludeman
Source: Getty Images

The Minnesota Twins rank among Forbes richest MLB teams. James Pohland owns the team after buying it in 1984 at $44 million. The Twins' annual revenue is an estimated $268 million, while their players' expenses total $141 million.

18. Detroit Tigers - $1.4 billion

The Ilitch family from America purchased the Detroit Tigers (DET) in 1992 at $82 million. The team's operating income is roughly $31 million. The Tigers have won four championships, and A.J. Hinch is their manager.

17. San Diego Padres - $1.575 billion

The San Diego Padres are worth $1.575 billion and are among the richest MLB teams in 2023. Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler bought the franchise in 2012 at $600 million. The team's annual revenue is $282 million, while their annual expenses total $199 million.

16. Seattle Mariners - $1.7 billion

Seattle Mariners, owned by Jason Stanton and Chris Lasorn, is one of the richest baseball teams, worth $1.7 billion. Root Sports Northwest and ESPN Seattle are some of the team's media partners. The team rakes in an annual revenue of $313 million.

15. Chicago White Sox - $1.76 billion

Forbes richest MLB teams
Jake Cave (44) and Weston Wilson (77) of the Philadelphia Phillies during the spring training game with the New York Yankees on February 25, 2023. Photo: Cliff Welch
Source: Getty Images

Chicago White Sox are three-time championship winners currently owned by Jerry Reinsdorf. He purchased the team in 1981 at $80 million. The three-time championship winners spend approximately $160 million on player expenses and earn $258 million in revenue.

14. Toronto Blue Jays - $1.78 billion

Rogers Communications, who bought the team at $137 million in 2000, own the Toronto Blue Jays. The franchise's annual revenue is $238 million, and they have won the championship twice.

13. Houston Astros - $1.98 billion

Jim Crane bought the Houston Astros in 2011 at $465 million. Today, the team has a net worth of $1.98 billion, making it one of the richest MLB teams in order of market value. The Astros rake in approximately $388 million in revenue annually.

12. Washington Nationals - $2 billion

Since 2006, the Washington Nationals have been under the ownership of the Lerner Family. In February 2022, the one-time championship winners signed an agreement with The Terra blockchain, which involves Terra-branded venue signage and messaging throughout Nationals Park.

11. Texas Rangers - $2.05 billion

MLB revenue by teams
Seiya Suzuki (Second Left) with his colleagues of the Chicago Cubs during the team's spring training on Feb. 25, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Photo: Kyodo News
Source: Getty Images

The Rangers are one of the wealthiest MLB teams, boasting a value of $2.05 billion. Ray Davis and Bob Simpson own the team that has not won a championship. Texas Rangers make $387 million in revenue and have player expenses of $118 million.

10. Atlanta Braves - $2.1 billion

Liberty Media took over ownership of the Atlanta Braves in 2007 after paying $400 million. The MLB outfit makes $443 million in revenue and spends approximately $175 million in player expenses.

9. Los Angeles Angels - $2.2 billion

The Angels, owned by Arturo Moreno, have a net worth of $2.2 billion. Moreno purchased the team at $183.5 million in 2003. The Angels rake in an annual revenue of $331 million.

8. Philadelphia Phillies - $2.3 billion

Philadelphia Phillies, popularly known as the Phillies, are worth roughly $2.3 billion. Two families, the Middletons and the Buck Family, own the team after purchasing it in 1981 at $30 million.

7. St. Louis Cardinals - $2.45 billion

Richest MLB teams ranked
Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals during a match against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium on October 08, 2022, in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Stacy Revere
Source: Getty Images

St. Louis Cardinals have won the championship 11 times. William DeWitt Jr bought the team in 1996 at $150 million. The crew's annual revenue is approximately $287 million, with player expenses of about $191 million.

6. New York Mets - $2.65 billion

In 2020, an American entrepreneur Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets at a whopping $2.4 billion. The two-time championship winners make $302 million in revenue yearly and spend $215 million in player expenses.

5. San Francisco Giants - $3.5 billion

The San Fransisco Giants are worth an impressive $3.5 billion. Greg Johnson bought the team in 1993 at $100 million. The Giants have won eight championships and earn a revenue of $384 million every year.

4. Chicago Cubs - $3.8 billion

Chicago Cubs are among the top MLB teams in 2023. The Ricketts family owns the squad after purchasing it in 2009 at $700 million. They spend roughly $172 million on their players' expenses annually and earn a revenue of $425 million.

Which are the richest MLB teams?

Richest MLB teams in order
Enmanuel Valdez and Victor Santos of the Boston Red Sox before a Grapefruit League game against the Minnesota Twins on February 27, 2023, at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. Photo: Maddie Malhotra
Source: Getty Images

Netizens have asked about the top three profitable MLB teams across the baseball association. Here are the richest MLB teams:

3. Boston Red Sox - $3.9 billion

The Bostin Red Sox are the third-ranked in MLB revenue by teams. John Henry and Thomas Werner bought the franchise in 2002 after buying it at $380 million. The Red Sox earn $479 million in revenue yearly.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers - $4.075 billion

Seven-time championship winners, Los Angeles Dodgers, are worth $4.075 billion. Guggenheim Baseball Management has owned the franchise since 2012 after buying it at $2 billion. The Dodgers earn $565 million in revenue yearly and spend $288 million in player expenses.

1. New York Yankees - $6 billion

You may wonder, ''How much are the Yankees worth?'' They boast a staggering net worth of $6 billion. The Steinbrenner Family own the profitable franchise that has won 27 championships. Their player expenses total $223 million, and their revenue is $482 million.

Who are the richest MLB teams
Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani chats with manager Phil Nevin (Left) in Tempe, Arizona, on Feb. 27, 2023. Photo: Kyodo News
Source: Getty Images

The stakeholders behind the richest MLB teams have strategically positioned themselves to reap from their investments in the different crews. While new mergers might come up every day, some owners have held their positions for extended periods, stabilizing their teams and affecting their performance in the championships.

READ ALSO: The best MLB players in the league

Sportsbrief published the best MLB players in the league. These players hold various positions and have excelled in their skills, earning numerous accolades and global recognition. So, who are these players?

Michael Nelson Trout, an American player, tops the list of the best players. Others include Shohei Ohtani, Aaron James Judge, and Babe Ruth, reportedly the greatest baseballer ever.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.