clock menu more-arrow no yes

Filed under:

Forbes: D.C. United 13th-highest value in MLS, doubled since 2013

New, comments

An updated valuation of MLS teams finds the Black and Red up in a couple of different areas.

By Ryan Keefer
/ new
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Forbes has released an updated list of the most valuable teams financially for 2015, and with the top 5 teams remaining virtually unchanged since 2013's list. And without further adieu, here is this year's list:

Team Value ($M) Revenue ($M) Operating Income ($M)1
Seattle Sounders 245 50 10
LA Galaxy 240 44 4
Houston Dynamo 200 26 5
Portland Timbers 185 35 4
Toronto FC 175 32 -7
Sporting Kansas City 165 29 4
Chicago Fire 160 21 -6
New England Revolution 158 25 7
FC Dallas 148 25 -3
San Jose Earthquakes 146 13 -1
Philadelphia Union 145 25 2
New York Red Bulls 144 22 -9
D.C. United 140 21 -1
Montreal Impact 128 22 -3
Vancouver Whitecaps 125 21 -6
Columbus Crew 112 18 -4
Real Salt Lake 108 17 1
Colorado Rapids 105 15 -3

D.C. United is 13th in this year's list, up from 18th since 2013. More surprising is that if Forbes' numbers are accurate (and their methodology relies on "...published reports, stadium leases and interviews with industry sources." in the article), D.C. has almost doubled in value, from $71 million in 2013.

Additionally, D.C. appears to have both increased revenue (a 10% jump in attendance from 2013) while reducing operating income, and their stronger grasp on salaries certainly help in that regard, along with the stadium agreement and now slowly moving towards that reality.

Other observations:

  • The Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo swap spots since 2013, but the Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and Toronto FC continue to round out the Top 5. Only surprise is the Dynamo still being in the Top 5 maybe?
  • As mentioned in the article and to reiterate the point, a new stadium sure does help, as the San Jose Earthquakes jump from 16th on the 2013 list (at $75 million) to 10th this year (at $146 million).

So what are your thoughts on the list, D.C. United-wise or otherwise?

More From Black And Red United

Loading comments...