To most fans, everything about the Washington Capitals organization seems quite valuable right now–a feeling the Caps’ faithful haven’t enjoyed for a very long time. This puck induced bliss has been perpetuated by great coaching, awesome teamwork and fantastic individual efforts all adding up to wins, wins, and more wins. But what about the value of the Washington Capitals franchise that fans don’t see?
The December 15, 2014 issue of Forbes Magazine ranked the NHL franchises according to their current value based on the 2013-2014 season taking into consideration their revenues and operating income. Out of 30 NHL teams (23 US, 7 Canadian), the Caps franchise didn’t make the top ten; however, they are sitting pretty at number 11 winking at the Pittsburgh Penguins at number 10. The Toronto Maple Leafs rank number 1 with the most valuable franchise posting revenues of $190 million, an operating income of $70.6 million, and an overall value of $1,300 million. Our Winter Classic pals, the Chicago Blackhawks, sit at number 4 with $172 million in revenues, an operating income of $50.2 million and an overall value of $825 million. At number eleven, the Caps had revenues of $117 million, an operating income of $13.4 million and an overall value of $500 million—not bad.
The average NHL team has revenues of $123 million, an operating income of $15.1 million and an overall value of $490 million. This is an increase of 18.6% over the previous year due to a $4.6 billion TV, radio and internet Canadian media deal with Rogers Communications. Even though the NHL is considered the premier hockey league in the world, it is the least valuable of the four major sports leagues in North America by a long shot. According to Forbes, even the least valuable NFL franchise, the St. Louis Rams, is worth nearly twice as much as the average NHL team.
Nevertheless, the fireworks provided by the Caps of late are priceless. The thrill of shutting down the Penguins and later beating the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic was electrifying. Caps fans are primed and ready to Rock the Red. No matter what the monetary value, there’s nothing like a hockey game!
