SBNation.com - Toronto Maple Leafs valued by Forbes at $1 billion (or maybe not)https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2012-11-28T14:05:38-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34677252012-11-28T14:05:38-05:002012-11-28T14:05:38-05:00Toronto Maple Leafs valued by Forbes at $1 billion
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<figcaption>Jim McIsaac</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> have been valued at $1 billion dollars, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2012/11/28/nhl-team-values-2012-maple-leafs-first-hockey-team-worth-1-billion/">according to a report by Mike Ozanian of Forbes.com on Wednesday</a>. Toronto is the first NHL franchise to be estimated at a worth of $1 billion.</p>
<p>According to the report, the sale of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan to Bell Centre and Roger Communications for $2.05 billion in June is what pushed the franchise's value to the $1 billion mark. In addition to the Maple Leafs, MLSE also includes the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Air Canada Centre.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> were estimated as the league's second most valuable franchise ($750 million), followed by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> at No. 3 overall ($575 million).</p>
<p>The average NHL franchise is worth an estimated $282 million, which is an 18% increase from last season. However, there is a considerable gap between the top and bottom valuations. The top-five teams (in terms of value) are worth an estimated average of $605 million, while the bottom-five are valued at an average of $145 million.</p>
<p>In addition, 13 teams are estimated to have lost money in 2011-12, including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">San Jose Sharks</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Ducks</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a>.</p>
<p>According to the report, the Maple Leafs, Rangers and Canadiens accounted for 83% of the league's income.</p>
<p>For a complete list of team valuations, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2012/11/28/nhl-team-values-2012-maple-leafs-first-hockey-team-worth-1-billion/">click here</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/11/28/3702536/toronto-maple-leafs-forbes-nhl-team-valueMatt Brigidi