Bengals Franchise Valuation Rockets Up Following 2025-26 Season

Cincinnati checked in at No. 32 with a valuation of $7.4 billion. A 35% increase from last year.

Don't think the Bengals are struggling in last place. The value has increased a ton this decade, and they just got a $453 million revenue-sharing check from the league before the season even starts.

"The Cincinnati Bengals have been parked at No. 32 for seven straight years in Sportico's annual NFL team valuations," Kurt Badenhausen stated. "The small-market club plays in an older stadium, ranks near the bottom on local revenue and lacks a national brand from its Super Bowl trophy-less history.

"Yet there are only six sports franchises on the planet outside the NFL that are worth more than the Bengals. The list includes three from the NBA, two in MLB and LaLiga's Real Madrid. The NFL's least valuable team is worth $7.4 billion, by Sportico's count, and all 32 teams land among the world's 40 most valuable sports franchises."

The Bengals are still one of the 40 most lucrative sports franchises on earth, and it's refreshing to see the team treat themselves that way this offseason.

Bengals executive Katie Blackburn and the front office pushed in plenty of financial chips to the center of the table for the most competitive roster possible. It led to their first major contract restructure in team history with Joe Burrow's current deal.

It was a massive 2025-26 for the league.

"The average team value rose 31% to $9.34 billion, based on conversations with more than 40 people involved in the league, including team owners, executives, investors, consultants and bankers," Badenhausen noted at the start of the piece. "It marks the biggest year-over-year value gain for the NFL since Sportico’s valuations launched in 2020. The average value has increased 141% over the past five years.

"The 32 teams are collectively worth $299 billion, including real estate and related businesses, such as the Cowboys’ sports components of The Star mixed-use development in Frisco, Texas."

Check out the full 1-32 list here.

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