Mark Cuban

Listing the most valuable NBA franchises after Mark Cuban sells stake of Mavericks

NBA franchises are more valuable than ever as prices continue to rise

Mark Cuban
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban attends a basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.

It's a great time to own an NBA team -- just ask Mark Cuban.

The billionaire businessman officially sold his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday for a reported $3.5 billion.

Better yet, Cuban reportedly worked out a deal with the buyers (Adelson family) so that he could retain control of basketball operations and keep shares in the team. Cuban bought the Mavericks for $285 million in 2000, netting him a $3.215 billion profit for the transaction. He retains a 27% stake of the franchise after the deal.

With Cuban's deal in mind, here's a look at the most valuable NBA franchises of 2023 (valuations via Forbes, as of October 2023):

1. Golden State Warriors, $7.7 billion

Owners: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber

Last sold: 2010 for $450 million

2. New York Knicks, $6.6 billion

Owners: Madison Square Garden Sports (led by James Dolan)

Last sold: 1997 for $300 million

3. Los Angeles Lakers, $6.4 billion

Owners: Todd Boehly, Mark Walter, Jerry Buss Family Trusts (led by Jeanie Buss)

Last sold: 2021 for $1.35 billion (27% of team to Boehly and Walter), 1979 for $20 million (100% of team to Buss)

4. Boston Celtics, $4.7 billion

Owners: Boston Basketball Partners (led by Wyc Grousbeck and Stephen Pagliuca)

Last sold: 2002 for $360 million

5. Los Angeles Clippers, $4.65 billion

Owner: Steve Ballmer

Last sold: 2014 for $2 billion

6. Chicago Bulls, $4.6 billion

Owner: Jerry Reinsdorf

Last sold: 1985 for $16.2 million

7. Dallas Mavericks, $4.5 billion

Owner: Adelson family, Mark Cuban

Last sold: 2023 for $3.5 billion (73% to Adelsons)

8. Houston Rockets, $4.4 billion

Owner: Tilman Fertitta

Last sold: 2017 for $2.2 billion

9. Philadelphia 76ers, $4.3 billion

Owners: Joshua Harris, David Blitzer

Last sold: 2011 for $287 million

10. Toronto Raptors, $4.1 billion

Owners: Bell Canada, Larry Tanenbaum, Rogers Communications

Last sold: 2012 for $400 million

11. Phoenix Suns, $4 billion

Owners: Matt Ishbia, Justin Ishbia

Last sold: 2023 for $4 billion

12. Miami Heat, $3.9 billion

Owner: Micky Arison

Last sold: 1988 for $32.5 million

13. Brooklyn Nets, $3.85 billion

Owner: Joe Tsai

Last sold: 2019 for $3.2 billion

14. Washington Wizards, $3.5 billion

Owner: Ted Leonsis

Last sold: 2010 for $551 million

15. Denver Nuggets, $3.37 billion

Owner: Stan Kroenke

Last sold: 2000 for $202 million

16. Cleveland Cavaliers, $3.35 billion

Owner: Dan Gilbert

Last sold: 2005 for $375 million

17. Sacramento Kings, $3.33 billion

Owner: Vivek Ranadive

Last sold: 2013 for $534 million

18. Atlanta Hawks, $3.32 billion

Owner: Tony Ressler

Last sold: 2015 for $730 million

19. San Antonio Spurs

Owners: Peter J. Holt, Sixth Street Partners

Last sold: 1996 for $76 million

20. Milwaukee Bucks, $3.2 billion

Owners: Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam, Wes Edens

Last sold: 2023 for $875 million (25% of team to the Haslams), 2014 for $550 million (100% of team to Edens and Marc Lasry)

21. Utah Jazz, $3.09 billon

Owners: Ryan Smith, Ashley Smith

Last sold: 2020 for $1.66 billion

22. Portland Trail Blazers, $3.08 billion

Owners: Paul G. Allen Trust (led by Jody Allen)

Last sold: 1988 for $70 million

23. Detroit Pistons, $3.07 billion

Owner: Tom Gores

Last sold: 2011 for $325 million

24. Oklahoma City Thunder, $3.05 billion

Owners: Professional Basketball Club LLC (led by Clayton Bennett)

Last sold: 2006 for $325 million

25. Charlotte Hornets, $3 billion

Owners: Gabe Plotkin, Rick Schnall

Last sold: 2023 for $3 billion

26. Orlando Magic, $2.95 billion

Owners: DeVos Family

Last sold: 1991 for $85 million

27. Indiana Pacers, $2.9 billion

Owners: Herbert Simon, Stephen Simon

Last sold: 1983 for $10.5 million

28. New Orleans Pelicans, $2.55 billion

Owner: Gayle Benson

Last sold: 2012 for $338 million

29. Minnesota Timberwolves, $2.5 billion

Owners: Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez, Glen Taylor

Last sold: 2021 for $1.5 billion

30. Memphis Grizzlies, $2.4 billion

Owner: Robert Pera

Last sold: 2012 for $377 million

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