Detroit Tigers Latest Rankings In Forbes MLB Most Valuable Franchises

Forbes has released its latest list on the Most Valuable Major League Baseball teams. The Detroit Tigers come in at number 23, no change from 2019.

The new Forbes MLB’s Most Valuable Teams rankings were released yesterday. Per Forbes. the rise is the smallest increase since 2010 when team values rose just 2%, Forbes data show that the average team value is up nearly four-fold from a decade ago. Before we get to the Tigers value, let’s check out the rest of the AL Central teams.

Chicago White Sox

The south side grew in value by 3% that ranked them 14th on the list and the highest among AL Central teams at $1.65 billion. They made $285 million in 2019 with an operating income of $66 million. Their recent TV deal with the Bulls and the Blackhawks will feature them on NBC Sports Chicago and give them a slight bump from a financial standpoint. Their average attendance did grow by 7% in 2019 which means more fans at the seats equals more revenue.

Cleveland Indians

Cleveland, similar to Detroit, did not grow in value, which placed them 25th on the list. Their current value is listed at $1.15 billion. They made $290 million in 2019 with an operating income of $43 million. In their current TV deal per Crain’s Cleveland, The Indians are getting more than $40 million a year from SportsTime Ohio. Interestingly enough for all the flack Indians fans get for not going to games at Progressive Field, (ranked 21st in 2019)  there is a logical explanation. They were number one in MLB prime-time ratings overall per Forbes article on the 2019 MLB TV ratings.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City is second to last on the list, ranked 29th and the only team on the list with a new owner.  Recently, owner David Glass passed away and John Sherman, who had a minority stake with Cleveland, purchased the team for $1 billion. Glass certainly got more than what he paid for the team in 2000 when he purchased them for $96 million. Their new TV deal that was supposed to start his year, was in the average near $48 to $52 million a year per MLB.com. The Royals drop in the AL Central had them ranked 26th in home attendance last year.

Minnesota Twins

The “Bomba Squad” paid off huge last year for Twins, who come in ranked 19th on the last with a value of $1.3 billion. Their TV ratings jumped to 65% from 2018 and saw a nice turnout for attendance, placing them 15th overall and the highest among AL Central teams.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers saw a 15% decrease in TV ratings from the year before. I mention this because the current deal with now owned Sinclair broadcasting has them getting paid $50 million a year with the deal expiring in 2021.  There could be an increase per year, seeing how many teams continue to get lucrative deals for television rights.  Patrick O Kennedy from Bless You Boys.com did a great job laying out the TV deal and a few scenarios.  Essentially, it could mean the Tigers could start their network like what the Cubs are doing or take a stake in ownership in Fox Sports Detroit. Their current value sits at $1.25 billion.

One other fact that sticks out. The Baltimore Orioles, who were 28th in attendance last year and had the second-worst record in the American League, their value increased by 9%. For driving the figuratively speaking tank, their team increased its value. Well, as Forbes said in their opening headline to their story

"“Even in times of economic turmoil, an investment in a Major League Baseball team is a sure bet.”"