Study values Falcons at almost $2.5 billion
The Falcons are worth $2.475 billion, according to Forbes' annual valuations of NFL teams released Monday.
That represents a 16 percent increase from $2.13 billion a year ago -- and a 354 percent increase from the $545 million that Arthur Blank paid for the franchise in 2002.
The new study ranked the Falcons 15th among the 32 NFL teams in value.
The Dallas Cowboys ranked No. 1 with a valuation of $4.8 billion, followed by the New England Patriots at $3.7 billion and the New York Giants at $3.3 billion.
The league’s 30 teams have an average value of $2.5 billion, according to the report, which said NFL owners “are minting money thanks to hefty TV contracts and a favorable labor deal with the players.”
New and renovated stadiums “are adding to team coffers,” Forbes noted, citing the Falcons’ “commitments for over $900 million in (long-term) sponsorships at their new stadium, including naming rights.”
About the Author
Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.
