Forbes have released the list of 2023’s most valuable football clubs and several MLS sides have made the cut.
Los Angeles FC, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United FC, New York City FC, DC United, Toronto FC and Austin FC were all named among the 30 most valuable teams in the world. The top 30 teams are valued at an average of $2.17 billion (£1.75bn).
Last year, Forbes valued 20 teams who had an average appraisal of $2.53billion (£2.04bn). This is in contrast to this year’s top 20 sides, which are valued 14% higher at $2.89 billion (£2.33bn).
Of the 30 teams listed by Forbes, the highest-ranked side from the MLS was Los Angeles FC in 17th. The American side are valued at $1 billion (£810m) and they reached this mark in February when they became the first MLS team in history to reach it.
The club's lead managing owner Bennett Rosenthal, who is worth an estimated $1.3 billion, was impressed with their return but it wasn’t something he was banking on. “We did not do this because we thought it was the best place to put our capital,” he said. “We thought it could be fun and we’re making a great macro bet on the growth of the sport.
“It’s less of a financial hurdle to control an MLS team than [in] some other sports, so you do see more people who can do it. But I think people love it. They want to be a part of the community and the trajectory.”
After the reigning MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy sit 18th and is valued at $925 million (£746m). They are one of the MLS' original 10 teams and are synonymous with the US's main soccer league. The Galaxy have the most cup wins in MLS history, having won five while appearing in nine finals.
After the Galaxy, Atlanta United is in 19th place and is valued at $850 million (£686m), while New York City FC just missed out on a spot in the top 20 and is valued at $800 million (£645m). DC United ($700 million/£565m), Toronto FC ($690 million/£557m) and Austin FC ($680 million/£549m) occupy the final three spots in the top 30 and the number of MLS sides on the list proves the league is becoming an increasingly major player in the global football market.
As the MLS continues to thrive, some high-profile celebrities have opted to buy into the league over the last several years. The likes of Actors Matthew McConaughey and Will Ferrell are part of the board at Austin FC and LAFC respectively, while Reese Witherspoon purchased a stake in Nashville SC.
She was joined by NFL running-back Derrick Henry while football legend David Beckham owns Inter Miami FC, who are now valued at $500m, more than that of ten Premier League sides.
