Despite falling short in their championship defense, the Warriors of the Bay Area continue to thrive commercially. The high valuation has apparently prompted some minority investors to consider selling their position, with a prospective deal likely to place them among the world’s most valuable sports teams.

Rising franchise valuations have been spurred across the league by recent sales of majority holdings in the Phoenix Suns, which were sold for $4 billion, and the Hornets, which were sold for $3 billion by Michael Jordan. Both transactions, together with the selling of a minority ownership in the Milwaukee Bucks for US$3.2 billion, rank among the top four highest NBA sale values.

The high prices also reflect an anticipated increase in domestic media rights income. The NBA is rumored to be aiming for $75 billion in income for its new domestic rights deal, which would triple the present agreements with ESPN and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD).

Both incumbent partners are believed to be in the running to renew their rights deals, with interest also expected from internet behemoths such as Amazon.

Following the completion of the NBA’s next television rights agreement, it is widely expected that the league would focus on boosting competitiveness.

According to Forbes, a new team in Las Vegas or Seattle would cost between $4 billion and $5 billion.