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NBA brands valued for first time, Golden State Warriors lead rankings

Hugo Hensley
06 October 2022

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS IN FIRST-EVER NBA BRAND VALUATION PLAYOFFS

  • The Golden State Warriors is the most valuable NBA brand (brand value US$712 million) 
  • The Los Angeles Lakers is the second most valuable NBA brand (brand value US$693 million)
  • The New York Knicks (brand value US$332 million) is third

View the full Brand Finance NBA report here 

Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation and strategy consultancy, today reveals that the Golden State Warriors have the most valuable brand in the NBA with a value of US$712 million.

The San Francisco-based team have become the world’s most valuable basketball brand after winning their seventh championship earlier this year - four of which have been won since 2015.

Brand Finance has individually valued every NBA team, the first time that a brand valuation has been publicly applied to NBA teams in accordance with international standards. 

In second place, with a US$693 million brand value, is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have an extremely loyal and large fanbase, has invested heavily in marketing and merchandising opportunities, and is associated with a range of global superstars from Magic Johnson and Lebron James, to the late Kobe Bryant.

The New York Knicks (brand value US$332 million)is in 3rd place. However, the Knicks also have the largest following with 13% of NBA fans stating the Knicks are their favourite team.

The Chicago Bulls (brand value US$332 million)and the Boston Celtics (brand value US$331 million)are in 4th and 5th place, respectively.

Hugo Hensley, Brand Finance Head of Sports Services, said: 

“The Brand Finance NBA Rankings demonstrate that success on the court is important but investing in marketing and merchandising whilst proactively engaging with fans is vital for brand success.

Strong brands can help maintain revenue for teams whether performing well on the court or not, ensuring long term sustainability and ultimately increasing their chances of success.”

ENDS 

About the Author

Hugo Hensley
Head of Sports Services
Brand Finance

Hugo Hensley is an expert in the business of sport and sponsorship, and has led Brand Finance’s services in this area for 4 years. Hugo has worked with the likes of Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, and Mercedes F1 to help them understand the value of their brands and calculate the value they create for partners through sponsorship. Hugo leads Brand Finance’s research studies into the value of sporting brands around the world, and the fan research studies that form the foundation of these insights. 

Hugo has contributed insights and commentary to print and broadcast media, as well as podcasts and industry journals, including The Economist, Bloomberg, BBC World News and WARC (World Advertising Research Centre). Hugo has lectured on the business of sport, branding in sport, and sponsorship return on investment at EmLyon Business School and UNSW Business School. 

Hugo qualified as a chartered accountant with Brand Finance, after graduating from Oxford University with a Masters in Engineering. 

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