First NHL Team Worth $1 Billion: Toronto Maple Leafs Named League’s Most Valuable Team

The NHL has its first $1 billion team.

According to Forbes, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the first NHL team to be worth more than $1 billion.

The Associated Press reports that the Leafs are worth $250 million more than the New York Rangers and $870 million more than the least valuable team in the NHL, the St. Louis Blues.

Forbes writes:

“The spread between the rich and poor teams is dramatic. The top five teams—Maple Leafs ($1 billion), New York Rangers ($750 million), Montreal Canadiens ($575 million), Chicago Blackhawks ($350 million) and Boston Bruins ($348 million)—are worth $605 million, on average. The five least valuable—Carolina Hurricanes ($162 million), New York Islanders ($155 million), Columbus Blue Jackets ($145 million), Phoenix Coyotes ($134 million) and St. Louis Blues ($130 million)—are worth just $145 million, on average.”

According to Yahoo Sports, the numbers are even more dramatic when you consider that the top three teams in the league, the Leafs, Rangers and Canadiens, account for 83 percent of the league’s operating income.

Ever wonder how much your team was worth? Here’s the list from Forbes.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $1,000 million
2. New York Rangers: $750 million
3. Montreal Canadiens: $575 million
4. Chicago Blackhawks: $350 million
5. Boston Bruins: $348 million
6. Detroit Red Wings: $346 million
7. Vancouver Canucks: $342 million
8. Philadelphia Flyers: $336 million
9. Pittsburgh Penguins: $288 million
10. Los Angeles Kings: $276 million
11. Washington Capitals: $250 million
12. Calgary Flames: $245 million
13. Dallas Stars: $240 million
14. Edmonton Oilers: $225 million
15. San Jose Sharks: $223 million
16. Ottawa Senators: $220 million
17. Minnesota Wild: $218 million
18. Colorado Avalanche: $210 million
19. New Jersey Devils: $205 million
20. Winnipeg Jets: $200 million
21. Anaheim Ducks: $192 million
22. Buffalo Sabres: $175 million
23. Tampa Bay Lightning: $174 million
24. Florida Panthers: $170 million
25. Nashville Predators: $167 million
26. Carolina Hurricanes: $162 million
27. New York Islanders: $155 million
28. Columbus Blue Jackets: $145 million
29. Phoenix Coyotes: $134 million
30. St. Louis Blues: $130 million

The NHL has its first team worth $1 billion but the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t even close to being the first sports team to cross into 10 digit territory. The NFL currently has about 20 teams worth $1 billion and the MLB has three. The NBA doesn’t have any at the moment but the Lakers are getting pretty close.

So, congratulations Maple Leafs. You have a lot of money. Now can we please play some hockey.

And since we’re on the topic of the NHL lockout, here’s a video from Forbes about the NHL’s highest paid players.