Every year Forbes releases a list of the most valuable franchises in the NHL. The leader, for the third straight year, is the New York Rangers coming in at $1.5 billion. For this year, the Vegas Golden Knights were simply slotted in at the price The Creator paid for the franchise, $500 million.
The interesting number is the Golden Knights debt to income ratio, which is listed at 42%. Having no historical data to go off, it’s hard to determine where that number should be less than two years into existence and without a full season under their belt, but it’s certainly a number to keep our eyes on.
Next year’s chart will be much more telling as Forbes will estimate the Golden Knights revenue and operating income which will shift the debt ratio.
The $500 million fee paid by the Golden Knights to become the NHL’s 31st team this season as a base line for the value of hockey teams illustrates the league’s enormous financial success as it has grown from six to 31 franchises. -Mike Ozanian, Forbes
The Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Blackhawks were the only other teams that checked in at over $1 billion.
Based on the rousing success the Golden Knights have had on the ice, as well as with ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorship, we can reasonably expect the Golden Knights to move up near the top 10 by next year.
He may still have his mind on “Playoffs by three, Cup by six,” but a spot amongst the NHL’s elite in valuation is something The Creator is also dying to see.

Warren Shapiro
Hockey fans this is one of the better articles on the business of the NHL unfortunately there are a couple of errors . So read this article very carefully
but you will get an idea of your favorite team and what they are really worth.
Enjoy!
Ken Boehlke
Errors on my end?
Warren Shapiro
No not at your end it was Forbes.
TK
If the VGK crack the top 10 in revenue, they then get tagged for revenue sharing for the “struggling ” franchises. They should hope to be #11. Montreal, Chicago, New York and Toronto pay the lions share of the NHL revenue sharing.
Sjc
Wait, remember hockey will “fail in Vegas…” don’t tell anyone in Quebec, okay?