The latest Forbes valuations of MLS teams showed they’re pretty solid investments, perhaps none more so than New York City FC.
The average MLS team saw its value spike 18 percent from last year and 80 percent from 2013, an eye-watering return on investment. And NYCFC might be the best of the bunch.
Seattle was again deemed the most valuable at $285 million, and the runner-up Los Angeles Galaxy produced the most revenue at $58 million. New York City FC, in just its second season, comes in third with an estimated value of $255 million, while earning $36 million.
The rival Red Bulls did not crack the top 10.
NYCFC, which plays at Yankee Stadium, is co-owned by the Yankees and English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City. The two big-spending sides paid a then-league-record $100 million expansion fee in 2013, the Yankees covering a quarter of that and Manchester City the rest.
Turns out it was a bargain.
However, NYCFC’s operating income was reported as negative $9 million. Forbes estimated they spent a hefty $30 million on Designated Player salaries and operating expenses to play in Yankee Stadium.
NYCFC has three of the league’s 10 highest-paid players (as does Toronto FC). Frank Lampard is sixth at $8 million ($6 million in salary, $2 million in endorsements). Captain David Villa is right behind at $7.9 million ($5.9 million/$2 million), and veteran midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo ranks ninth at $7.4 million ($5.9 million/$1.5 million).
NYCFC leads the Eastern Conference with 44 points at 12-8-8.
The Red Bulls, one point behind in second place at 12-9-7, failed to crack the top 10 franchises with an estimated value of $178 million. They had a reported $23 million in revenue with minus-$5 million in operating income, though one has to consider their purpose as marketing for their energy drink parent company. MLS scoring leader Bradley Wright-Phillips makes just $650,000, and league assist leader Sacha Kljestan makes $550,000, according to Players Union records.