The annual Forbes team valuations for the National Hockey League have been released at the most awkward time possible, i.e. as the NHL locks out its players.
As revenue sharing has been a topic throughout the CBA talks, so has the disparity in value between the League's top teams and its weaker markets. Forbes underscored that in its latest findings:
The spread between the rich and poor teams is dramatic. The top five teams—Maple Leafs ($1 billion), New York Rangers ($750 million), Montreal Canadiens ($575 million), Chicago Blackhawks ($350 million) and Boston Bruins ($348 million)—are worth $605 million, on average. The five least valuable—Carolina Hurricanes ($162 million), New York Islanders ($155 million), Columbus Blue Jackets ($145 million), Phoenix Coyotes ($134 million) and St. Louis Blues ($130 million)—are worth just $145 million, on average.
The NHL's three most profitable teams — Maple Leafs ($81.9 million), Rangers ($74 million), Canadiens ($51.6 million) — accounted for 83 percent of the league's operating income, according to Forbes. Wow.
Following their sale to Rogers and Bell, the Maple Leafs became the first NHL franchise to be valued at $1 billion. The total sale of MLSE was $2.05 billion, which included the Raptors and their arena.
By comparison, the NFL has 20 teams worth $1 billion or more; Major League Baseball has three teams (Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox) and the NBA has none, although the Lakers were at $900 million in the last valuation.
Congrats again to the Leafs for breaking the billion dollar barrier. Imagine if they didn't have a GM with a bunch of made-up rules for why he won't take on elephantine contracts.
The full Forbes list for 2012 …
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Team value: $1,000 million
2. New York Rangers
Team value: $750 million
3. Montreal Canadiens
Team value: $575 million
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Team value: $350 million
5. Boston Bruins
Team value: $348 million
6. Detroit Red Wings
Team value: $346 million
7. Vancouver Canucks
Team value: $342 million
8. Philadelphia Flyers
Team value: $336 million
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Team value: $288 million
10. Los Angeles Kings
Team value: $276 million
11. Washington Capitals
Team value: $250 million
12. Calgary Flames
Team value: $245 million
13. Dallas Stars
Team value: $240 million
14. Edmonton Oilers
Team value: $225 million
15. San Jose Sharks
Team value: $223 million
16. Ottawa Senators
Team value: $220 million
17. Minnesota Wild
Team value: $218 million
18. Colorado Avalanche
Team value: $210 million
19. New Jersey Devils
Team value: $205 million
20. Winnipeg Jets
Team value: $200 million
21. Anaheim Ducks
Team value: $192 million
22. Buffalo Sabres
Team value: $175 million
23. Tampa Bay Lightning
Team value: $174 million
24. Florida Panthers
Team value: $170 million
25. Nashville Predators
Team value: $167 million
26. Carolina Hurricanes
Team value: $162 million
27. New York Islanders
Team value: $155 million
28. Columbus Blue Jackets
Team value: $145 million
29. Phoenix Coyotes
Team value: $134 million
30. St. Louis Blues
Team value: $130 million
