Cardinals franchise valuation could be sign of team’s future

Cardinals the 29th valuable franchise:

1. Dallas Cowboys: $12.8 billion
2. Los Angeles Rams: $10.43 billion
3. New York Giants: $10.25 billion
4. New England Patriots: $8.76 billion
5. San Francisco 49ers: $8.6 billion
6. Philadelphia Eagles: $8.43 billion
7. Miami Dolphins: $8.25 billion
8. New York Jets: $8.11 billion
9. Las Vegas Raiders: $7.9 billion
10. Washington Commanders: $7.47 billion
11. Chicago Bears: $7.45 billion
12. Houston Texans: $7.17 billion
13. Atlanta Falcons: $7.05 billion
14. Seattle Seahawks: $6.59 billion
15. Denver Broncos: $6.55 billion
16. Kansas City Chiefs: $6.53 billion
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: $6.51 billion
18. Green Bay Packers: $6.48 billion
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $6.47 billion
20. Minnesota Vikings: $6.28 billion
21. Los Angeles Chargers: $6.21 billion
22. Tennessee Titans: $6.2 billion
23. Cleveland Browns: $6.14 billion
24. Baltimore Ravens: $6 billion
25. Detroit Lions: $5.88 billion
26. Buffalo Bills: $5.87 billion
27. Carolina Panthers: $5.76 billion
28. Indianapolis Colts: $5.72 billion
29. Arizona Cardinals: $5.66 billion
30. New Orleans Saints: $5.63 billion
31. Jacksonville Jaguars: $5.57 billion
32. Cincinnati Bengals: $5.5 billion

Arizona is one of the oldest and historic football teams in the league, first being founded in 1898. However, the over century history of the team has been filled with losing, with zero Super Bowl wins. The organization’s NFC West division rivals are all in the top 14, with the Los Angeles Rams almost doubling its value.

Every team in the Top 10 has a championship, with the Houston Texans 12 being the first franchise without one. Houston does have the fourth highest populated City in the U.S., but Phoenix is right behind it at fifth.

The Texans are one of the youngest teams in the NFL but are much more valuable than over half the league. This is when location can start to take in effect, as the Cardinals play in Glendale and not in Phoenix, which perhaps could hurt their valuation.

Arizona should aim to have a similar trajectory as the Detroit Lions. From 2020-2023, Detroit was 31st in valuation, but after an NFC Championship run at the end of the 2023 season and a 15-2 record the following season, the Lions are now 25th overall. During that same span, the Cardinals have been stagnant at 29th.

The franchise already has the history and city, it just needs a glimpse of success and it’ll rise easily. General manager Monti Ossenfort is doing his part, spending over $100 in Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell. The team doubled its win total last season and have the most expectation surrounding them in years.

The Cardinals have the 27th easiest schedule heading into 2025, proving that their only obstacle is themselves if they want to break their playoff drought. If Arizona can end the drought, then the oldest team in the NFL should finally start to earn the respect in its valuation.