GOBankingRates
What a Canceled Season Costs the NBA, MLB, NHL and Other Leagues
Joel Anderson
48 min read

The world of professional sports is experiencing an unprecedented time, with leagues shut down as the United States copes with the coronavirus pandemic. While there have been significant chunks of games canceled because of labor disputes, never has every major sport simultaneously shuttered. Even during World War II, most sports went on, with the nation’s leaders thinking it was good for morale.

Certainly, many will say that few things matter as little as sports do during this pandemic. While it is accurate that sports are entertainment at their core, pro sports also are a big business — upon which thousands of people depend for their livelihood. And it’s not just millionaire superstars or billionaire owners who stand to lose. From the league-minimum benchwarmers to vendors selling programs and hot dogs, the economic futures of many people rely on live sporting events.

So just how much do all of these people collectively stand to lose? In order to get to the bottom of that question, GOBankingRates used evaluations produced by Forbes to break down the finances of every team, including just how much revenue they pull in. On the whole, it should help make it clear that billions of dollars are put in jeopardy when any of the four major North American sports leagues must close down.

So here’s a deeper dive into just how big the big business of sports really is.

Last updated: April 3, 2020

MLB

The timing of the coronavirus pandemic seems almost tailor-made to upset the baseball schedule. Teams were in the midst of spring training when it started to become clear that all major public events would shut down for the foreseeable future. While there’s still a chance the situation will improve enough by late spring or early summer and allow Major League Baseball to play an abbreviated season, it’s just as possible the entire 2020 season will be wiped out.

Related: Why Spring Training Is Big Business

Team Value

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: $3.3 billion

  • Philadelphia Phillies: $1.85 billion

  • Chicago Cubs: $3.1 billion

  • Boston Red Sox: $3.2 billion

  • San Francisco Giants: $3 billion

  • Chicago White Sox: $1.6 billion

  • Atlanta Braves: $1.7 billion

  • Houston Astros: $1.775 billion

  • Milwaukee Brewers: $1.175 billion

  • St. Louis Cardinals: $2.1 billion

  • San Diego Padres: $1.35 billion

  • Texas Rangers: $1.65 billion

  • Pittsburgh Pirates: $1.275 billion

  • Cincinnati Reds: $1.05 billion

  • Oakland A’s: $1.1 billion

  • Seattle Mariners: $1.575 billion

  • New York Mets: $2.3 billion

  • New York Yankees: $4.6 billion

  • Tampa Bay Rays: $1.01 billion

  • Washington Nationals: $1.75 billion

  • Colorado Rockies: $1.225 billion

  • Detroit Tigers: $1.25 billion

  • Los Angeles Angels: $1.9 billion

  • Cleveland Indians: $1.15 billion

  • Minnesota Twins: $1.2 billion

  • Arizona Diamondbacks: $1.29 billion

  • Kansas City Royals: $1.025 billion

  • Baltimore Orioles: $1.28 billion

  • Toronto Blue Jays: $1.5 billion

  • Miami Marlins: $1 billion

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