Americans love their sports. It’s not a surprising comment but a statement of fact, and with so many different professional sports leagues in the country, they also have a lot to choose from when it comes to watching a game or match. But have you ever wondered what the most profitable sports leagues are? Which are the ones that are bringing in the big bucks?
Let’s take a look at the three most profitable sports leagues here in the US.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy the Action?
Before we take a look at the top sports leagues, why not look at some of the best ways to enjoy the action? Watching a game live is the ultimate best option, but that’s not always possible, especially if your favorite league and/or team is in a different state.
Luckily, you can still catch the excitement through high-quality streaming services, cable sports networks, or even immersive fan experiences at sports bars. Whether it’s on a big screen or from the comfort of your home, there’s no shortage of ways to keep up with your favorite teams and players.
Now let’s take a look at the five most profitable sports leagues here in the US.
The Top 5 Most Profitable Sports Leagues In The US
| Sr no. | Leagues | Revenue |
| 1. | National Football League (NFL) | $20.5 Billion |
| 2. | Major League Baseball (MLB) | $ 11.34 Billion |
| 3. | National Basketball Association (NBA) | $ 10.58 Billion |
| 4. | National Hockey League (NHL) | $ 6.2 Billion |
| 5. | Major League Soccer (MLS) | $ 2.03 Billion |
1. NFL – National Football League
- Revenue (2023): $20.5 Billion
- No. of teams: 32
- First season: 1920
- Founded in: 1920, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
- Commissioner: Roger Goodell
If you guessed that the NFL is the ultimate biggest sports leagues in the entire US, then you can pat yourself on the back. Bringing in an estimated $13 billion yearly, the NFL has deep roots in the country. This makes the NFL the most popular sports leagues in America.
You can break those numbers down further and look at the most valuable NFL team which is the Dallas Cowboys. It’s the most profitable professional sports team not just in the US, but in the world. The Cowboys are even more valuable than some of the top European football teams – which is a different sport but one of the most popular sports in all of Europe. European star soccer players are often known for their big salaries. It seems like fans can’t get enough of the Cowboys that have a valuation of $10 billion in 2024.
Other highly valuable NFL teams include the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears.
2. MLB – Major League Baseball
- Revenue (2023): $11.34 Billion
- No. of teams: 30
- First season: 1901
- Founded in: 1876, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Commissioner: Robert Dean Manfred Jr
Baseball, known as America’s favorite pastime, is another highly profitable sports league. What makes this so interesting is that baseball isn’t exactly a popular sport around the world. Sure, it has fans, clubs and teams, but the majority of the action and fan base is located within the US. That is a testament to how popular the sport is within the country, as the profits are being generated almost completely on a domestic platform, making it one of the most profitable sports leagues.
Many MLB teams show up on the list of the world’s most valuable sports teams for 2024 and they include the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets.
3. NBA – National Basketball Association
- Revenue (2023): $10.58 Billion
- No. of teams: 30
- First season: 1946–47
- Founded in: 1946, New York, United States
- Commissioner: Adam Silver
Then we have the NBA, which has solidified itself as one of the most popular sports leagues in America, driven by high-profile players and intense global interest. For many sports fans across the country, basketball is their game of choice.
The NBA officially came into existence on August 3, 1949, following the merger between the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). However, the NBA recognizes June 6, 1946, as its founding date, adopting the BAA’s history as its own. In 1976, the NBA merged with the American Basketball Association (ABA), which expanded the sports leagues by incorporating four new franchises.
One thing is for sure as you look at this list of profitable and valuable sports leagues in the United States and that’s the fact that fans can’t seem to get enough of the NBA as their favorite sports. This makes the NBA the most popular American sports leagues.
4. NHL – National Hockey League
- Revenue (2024): $6.2 Billion
- No. of teams: 32
- First season: 1917–18
- Founded in: 1917, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Commissioner: Gary Bettman
The NHL ranks fourth in the most profitable sports leagues in the US. Its appeal lies in the high-speed action and fan loyalty, particularly in the northern US states and Canada. The NHL has made great strides in growing its audience beyond traditional hockey markets, especially with its Winter Classic and outdoor games.
Popular teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and the Chicago Blackhawks are fan favorites, with dedicated followings and high valuations.
5. MLS – Major League Soccer
- Revenue (2023): $2.03 Billion
- No. of teams: 29
- First season: 1996
- Founded in: 1993, United States
- Commissioner: Don Garber
The MLS is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the US, driven by the rising popularity of soccer, especially among younger generations. While soccer is more globally popular than in the US, the MLS has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with increasing viewership, new franchises, and major signings like Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, boosting its profile.
With 29 teams, including new expansions, MLS continues to expand its footprint across the country, attracting a loyal and growing fan base.
FAQs
- What sports make the most money?
Answer: Basketball makes the most money with players earning up to $7 million. LeBron James is the highest paid Basketball player in 2024 making $48.2 million on-field and $80 million off-field.
- What American sport makes the most money?
Answer: The American sport that makes the most money is football, with the NFL generating a staggering revenue of $20.5 billion as of 2023. All 32 NFL teams are now valued at a minimum of $4 billion, with an average worth of $5.7 billion—a remarkable 11% increase from the previous record of $5.1 billion.
- What is a sports league?
Answer: A sports league is an organized group or association of teams or individuals that compete against each other in a particular sport. It typically operates over a set period, with teams playing a series of games or matches to determine rankings, standings, and ultimately, a champion. Examples include the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
- What are the big 5 sports leagues?
Answer: The National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL) and the Major League Soccer (MLS) are the big 5 sports leagues in the US.
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