NEW YORK — The Associated Press Published on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 6:22PM EST Last updated on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 1:04PM EST
For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey.
The Leafs are worth $470-million (all currency U.S.), an increase of 5 per cent over last year. They easily are worth more than the next franchise, the New York Rangers at $416-million, up just 1 per cent.
The original six franchises are in the top seven, with only Philadelphia at No. 5 breaking that monopoly. Montreal is third ($339-million), followed by Detroit ($337-million), Philadelphia ($273-million), Boston ($271-million) and Chicago ($258-million).
The Vancouver Canucks ($239-million) were the next highest Canadian team coming in at ninth. Calgary ($200-million) was 16th; Ottawa ($197-million) 17th; and Edmonton ($166-million) — the lowest-valued Canadian team — at 24th.
Chicago has the biggest rise in value, up 26 per cent, followed by Washington at 15 per cent to $183 million.
The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins rank 11th at $222-million.
The average value of the 30 teams is $223-million, a slight increase over the $220-million of 2008.
Not surprisingly, the Phoenix Coyotes, with all their ownership issues, have the lowest worth, $138-million. And 14 teams — nearly half the league — went down in value, ranging from Colorado decreasing by 11 per cent to Philadelphia falling 1 per cent.
Toronto has, by far, the most operating income, $78.9-million, Forbes reported. Second in operating income is Montreal at $31.3 million.
The Leafs are tops in revenues, too, at $168-million, followed by the Rangers at $139-million.
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