The Original Purchase Price And Current Value Of Every NFL Team

What football fan hasn't dreamed of owning an NFL team? It's the ultimate fantasy — commanding the sidelines, lifting trophies, and cashing massive checks from television deals and luxury suites. But owning an NFL franchise isn't just the stuff of dreams — it has become one of the smartest, most lucrative investments in modern history.

Decades ago, some NFL teams were acquired for the price of a used car — or less. The Chicago Bears were bought for just $100 in 1920. The New York Giants cost $500 in 1925. The Pittsburgh Steelers? A modest $2,500 in 1933. These weren't hedge fund-backed purchases. These were bets made by local businessmen, many of whom had no idea they were buying into what would become a multibillion-dollar empire.

Fast forward to 2025, and every single NFL franchise is now worth at least $4 billion, with the average valuation hovering near $6 billion. The Dallas Cowboys, bought for $140 million in 1989, are now valued at $10.3 billion, making them the most valuable sports franchise in the world. The returns speak for themselves — and no other investment class comes close.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Historic Bargains and Billion-Dollar Returns

Many NFL owners — or their descendants — still benefit from astonishingly low purchase prices. Families like the Rooneys (Steelers), Maras (Giants), and Halas-McCaskeys (Bears) have seen their original investments multiply by millions — or even billions — of percent.

• The Chicago Bears, bought for $100, are now worth $6.3 billion — a 6.3 billion percent increase.
• The New York Giants, bought for $500, are now valued at $7.65 billion.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers have grown from a $2,500 purchase to a $5.5 billion asset.

Even "recent" buyers have seen enormous gains:

• Robert Kraft bought the New England Patriots for $172 million in 1994. Today, they're worth $7.3 billion.
• Woody Johnson bought the New York Jets in 2000 for $635 million. They're now valued at $6.8 billion.
• In 2009, Stephen Ross paid $1.1 billion for the Miami Dolphins. The franchise is now worth $6.76 billion.

Record-Breaking Sales in the 21st Century

The past decade has seen a wave of blockbuster franchise sales:

• In 2023, the Washington Commanders sold for $6.05 billion — the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise.
• The Denver Broncos set the previous NFL record in 2022, selling for $4.65 billion to Walmart heir Rob Walton.
• Back in 2018, the Carolina Panthers fetched $2.275 billion, which at the time set a new benchmark.

These rapid jumps — from $2.3B to over $6B in just five years — show just how fast NFL team valuations are climbing.

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

2025 NFL Franchise Valuations and Ownership

Here's a complete breakdown of every NFL franchise — showing the original purchase price, year acquired, current valuation, percent increase, and current owner(s).

The Green Bay Packers: A Different Kind of Ownership

Unlike every other NFL team, the Green Bay Packers are not owned by a billionaire or private group. Instead, they are the only publicly owned, non-profit franchise in American pro sports. Over 537,000 fans hold shares in the team, none of which can be resold for profit or pay dividends.

Founded in 1919 and formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1923, the Packers represent one of the league's most beloved — and valuable — teams. Despite being in the smallest media market in professional sports, the team is worth $5.39 billion, thanks to league-wide revenue sharing and the enduring popularity of Lambeau Field.

Final Thoughts

From $100 beginnings to $10 billion dynasties, NFL franchises have become the gold standard of sports ownership. The league's airtight business model — with national TV contracts, strict salary caps, and limited team supply — has made franchise ownership nearly foolproof. The only problem? Getting your hands on one.

With no signs of slowing down, NFL teams remain among the safest and most profitable bets on the planet.