Sportico’s 2025 valuation places the New Orleans Saints at 5.63 billion, up 18% from 2024 but dropping to 30th among NFL clubs. The rise reflects real estate, team business and football-related transactions rather than on-field success, which has seen playoff droughts and slumping ticket resales. Analysts note that if a sale were to happen, the Saints might not command the Commander-level price of Commanders’ recent bid events, though NFL clubs remain sturdy investments. The piece hints at playoffs returning as a catalyst for higher future value and potential favorable deals for buyers should opportunities arise.

For fantasy enthusiasts, the shift underscores ownership stability versus franchise momentum. While valuation momentum is positive, the narrative invites questions about how ownership decisions and franchise strategy could influence roster-building leverage, cap space, and timing of moves that might shift win-now windows—even if the market signals long-term upside more than immediate on-field impact.

Dallas Cowboys into the $12.8 billion stratosphere as NFL’s most valuable franchise, the first club to top $10B in value and the only one above that mark this season. The Washington Commanders sneak into the top 10 at $7.47B. Across the league, every team grew by at least 10% year over year, signaling a broader acceleration in NFL franchise value as brands go global and revenue streams diversify. The Rams and Giants posted the largest jumps at 34%, while the Eagles and Jets swapped spots, citing a shift in both performance and market dynamism. Miami, Las Vegas and Washington rounded the top 10 along with Cincinnati’s stubborn position near the bottom, as the Bengals remained the least valuable at $5.5B.

Sportico’s study features quotes from industry veteran Marc Ganis about teams operating as global brands and retooling structures, hiring, and strategy to sustain growth. Ownership momentum is underscored by Josh Harris’s Commanders, whose value rose in 2024, fueling optimism around sustained profitability (Commanders reported $98M in profits vs Cowboys’ $490M). The report ties profitability to potential future investments and wage strategy, highlighting the delicate balance between brand expansion and allocating resources for on-field success.

In a recent series of social media posts, President Donald Trump has called for the Washington Commanders to revert back to their former name, threatening to block a significant $3.7 billion stadium deal if they refuse. This statement comes after the Commanders' ownership changed hands in 2023 to Josh Harris, who also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and has plans to co-manage a new WNBA team set to debut in 2030. The political implications of such a name change have reignited discussions within the community, given the ongoing evolution of team identities in sports.

While Trump's demands have stirred controversy, they highlight the intersection of sports, politics, and branding. The Commanders' choice of name has faced scrutiny since its inception, with fans divided over the decision. Harris, cofounder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, is set to influence not just NFL dynamics but also the WNBA landscape, indicating a broader investment in the sports industry amidst these changes.