The Los Angeles Dodgers’ valuation has increased by 23% to $7.73 billion, largely due to the arrival of Shohei Ohtani and the team’s strategic commercial moves. The Dodgers led all MLB teams in gate revenue in 2024, earning $4.29 million per game. As MLB teams look to capitalize on their commercial potential, finding new broadcast partners is a priority.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced a remarkable surge in value, thanks in large part to the arrival of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. According to Sportico, the Dodgers’ valuation has increased by a staggering 23% over the past year, reaching $7.73 billion. This significant growth underscores the impact of Ohtani’s popularity and the team’s strategic commercial success.
Key Highlights
- New York Yankees: The Yankees’ valuation increased by 6% year-over-year (YoY) to $8.39 billion, making them the most valuable MLB team.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers saw the biggest growth in value, with a 23% YoY increase to $7.73 billion.
- Boston Red Sox: Valued at $6.03 billion.
- Chicago Cubs: Valued at $5.69 billion.
- San Francisco Giants: Valued at $4.2 billion.
- Miami Marlins: The least valuable MLB team at $1.3 billion.
The Dodgers’ significant growth can be attributed to their strategic commercial moves, particularly leveraging Ohtani’s popularity. The team has secured numerous partnerships with Japanese brands, contributing to an estimated $70 million in additional revenue last year. This commercial success has played a crucial role in their valuation increase.
Additionally, the Dodgers led all MLB teams in gate revenue in 2024, earning $4.29 million per game, slightly ahead of the Yankees’ $4.11 million. This financial performance highlights the Dodgers’ strong market appeal and fan engagement.
Broader Implications
The average MLB team is now valued at $2.82 billion, marking a 7% YoY increase. However, this growth pales in comparison to the NBA (128%) and NHL (159%) over the same period. MLB teams also have the lowest average value-to-revenue multiple at 6.6, indicating a relatively lower financial performance compared to other major U.S. leagues.
Future Outlook
As MLB teams look to capitalize on their commercial potential, finding a new broadcast partner for high-profile events like the Sunday night games, Home Run Derby, and Wild Card round is a priority. With ESPN opting out of its $550 million per year deal, potential new partners like Amazon and Fox are in the mix, with NBC also expressing interest.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ valuation has surged to $7.73 billion, thanks to the significant impact of Shohei Ohtani’s arrival and the team’s strategic commercial success. As they continue to leverage Ohtani’s popularity, the Dodgers are poised to maintain their strong market position. Meanwhile, the MLB as a whole faces the challenge of finding new broadcast partners to enhance its financial performance.
