Here’s How Rich Every NFL Team Is

Even coming out of a worldwide pandemic, the NFL is an incredibly lucrative investment.

With fans flocking back to stadiums for the 2021-22 season as the COVID-19 pandemic waned, franchise values soared. Team valuations went up an average of 28.5% from the season before, making the NFL yet again the most profitable league in sports.

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So, which teams increased in value the most, and which had the least revenue in the 2021-22 season? GOBankingRates evaluated all 32 teams and ranked them in terms of revenue. Find out which NFL team is the richest.

32. Detroit Lions

Revenue: $452 million
Operating Income: $114 million
Current Value: $3.05 billion

The Lions struggled to a 3-13-1 season last year, but there's renewed optimism in the second season with Dan Campbell as coach.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

Revenue: $462 million
Operating Income: $89 million
Current Value: $3 billion

A surprising Super Bowl run helped the Bengals jump 32% in value last season. With Joe Burrow seemingly on the rise as a quarterback, Cincinnati's future appears bright.

30. Arizona Cardinals

Revenue: $467 million
Operating Income: $112 million
Current Value: $3.27 billion

The Cardinals have tied their future to dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray, signing him to a 5-year, $230.5 million deal. Arizona is hoping he can be the difference in an NFC West that features the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

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29. Buffalo Bills

Revenue: $470 million
Operating Income: $83 million
Current Value: $3.4 billion

Buffalo's revenue jumped an eye-popping 50% in one year, and the Bills' fortunes are on the rise. Led by up-and-coming QB Josh Allen, the Bills enter the season as a Super Bowl favorite.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Revenue: $471 million
Operating Income: $114 million
Current Value: $3.475 billion

The Urban Meyer era ended in embarrassing fashion, with the Jaguars firing the coach mid-season. Jacksonville hopes new coach Doug Pederson can unlock quarterback Trevor Lawrence's potential.

27. Tennessee Titans

Revenue: $481 million
Operating Income: $115 million
Current Value: $3.5 billion

Despite earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs last season, the Titans flopped in the playoffs and need to rebound.

26. Indianapolis Colts

Revenue: $484 million
Operating Income: $100 million
Current Value: $3.8 billion

The Colts' value jumped 17% from 2020 to 2021. Indianapolis' quarterback carousel spun again, as the team brought in Matt Ryan to replace Carson Wentz, who was traded to the Commanders. The Colts are still looking for their first long-term solution at the position since the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck in 2019.

25. New Orleans Saints

Revenue: $490 million
Operating Income: $125 million
Current Value: $3.575 billion

The Saints enter their first season under new coach Dennis Allen, after 15 years under Sean Payton. But with Jameis Winston under center and a strong defense, New Orleans hopes to make some noise in the postseason.

24. Los Angeles Chargers

Revenue: $491 million
Operating Income: $156 million
Current Value: $3.875 billion

The Chargers' first season at the $5 billion SoFi Stadium was a financial windfall, with the seventh-highest operating income for the season.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Revenue: $492 million
Operating Income: $62 million
Current Value: $3.675 billion

The second season with Tom Brady as quarterback led to a 25% increase in franchise value, and it will be interesting to see if the QB's retirement, then un-retirement, will provide another boost.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

Revenue: $494 million
Operating Income: $135 million
Current Value: $3.975 billion

After 17 seasons with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, the Steelers are starting a new era with Mitchell Trubisky under center. Rest assured Mike Tomlin won't lower expectations for the franchise.

21. Kansas City Chiefs

Revenue: $495 million
Operating Income: $135 million
Current Value: $3.7 billion

After four consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances (but only one Super Bowl title), the Chiefs face high expectations again this season. Superstar receiver Tyreek Hill has gone to Miami, but with Patrick Mahomes at QB, Kansas City is still a threat.

20. Minnesota Vikings

Revenue: $500 million
Operating Income: $141 million
Current Value: $3.925 billion

The Vikings have disappointed their fans the past few seasons, falling short of the postseason with an 8-9 record last season. Can new coach Kevin O'Connell get this team over the hump?

19. Carolina Panthers

Revenue: $501 million
Operating Income: $139 million
Current Value: $3.6 billion

Panthers owner David Tepper is the NFL's second richest owner, with a personal net worth of $17.3 billion, Forbes reports. He has yet to purchase a winner with his franchise, however.

18. Atlanta Falcons

Revenue: $506 million
Operating Income: $172 million
Current Value: $4 billion

By jettisoning longtime quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons signaled they would be undergoing a rebuild. That should be right in the wheelhouse for owner Arthur Blank, who founded Home Depot.

17. Cleveland Browns

Revenue: $510 million
Operating Income: $90 million
Current Value: $3.85 billion

With a 48% jump in franchise value (the second-largest on this list), the Browns are a financial powerhouse. The team gambled on signing quarterback Deshaun Watson to an unprecedented $230 million, fully guaranteed contract.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Revenue: $512 million
Operating Income: $127 million
Current Value: $3.9 billion

The Ravens are on sound financial footing, even with just a 15% jump in franchise value. Now the team needs to decide if it will break the bank to sign former MVP Lamar Jackson to a lucrative contract extension.

15. Seattle Seahawks

Revenue: $518 million
Operating Income: $123 million
Current Value: $4.5 billion

The Seahawks are owned by the estate of Paul Allen and managed by his sister, Jody Allen. There are plenty of rumors that the franchise could be up for sale at some point soon, and the price tag will certainly be high.

14. New York Jets

Revenue: $519 million
Operating Income: $136 million
Current Value: $5.4 billion

Hope springs eternal in the NFL, even in New York. But the Jets haven't made the playoffs since 2010 and play in the rugged AFC East with the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots.

13. Chicago Bears

Revenue: $520 million
Operating Income: $156 million
Current Value: $5.8 billion

The Bears gained 42% in value despite a 6-11 record. The franchise turned to new coach Matt Eberflus to try to untap the potential in second-year quarterback Justin Fields.

12. Denver Broncos

Revenue: $526 million
Operating Income: $143 million
Current Value: $4.65 billion

An ownership group led by Wal-Mart heir Rob Walton purchased the team for $4.65 billion in June, and now the new owners are hoping quarterback Russell Wilson can lead the team to a title.

11. Miami Dolphins

Revenue: $533 million
Operating Income: $160 million
Current Value: $4.6 billion

The Dolphins last won a Super Bowl in 1973, and while no one is banking on them winning the Lombardi Trophy this year, this clearly is a franchise on the rise. The Dolphins finished 9-8 last season, narrowly missing the playoffs, and grew in value by 35% over the previous year.

10. Green Bay Packers

Revenue: $543 million
Operating Income: $138 million
Current Value: $4.25 billion

The Green Bay Packers are raking in plenty of cash, but that money isn't going to line the pockets of any billionaire owners. The Packers are the one team in the four major sports that is owned by its fans. In 2021, the Pack won the NFC North and came up a game short of the Super Bowl, and the team will be seeking to reach the big game as the clock ticks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' career.

9. Washington Commanders

Revenue: $544 million
Operating Income: $130 million
Current Value: $5.6 billion

The team made a huge move by choosing "Commanders" as the new name. But they're still facing plenty of controversy, as owner Daniel Snyder and the team are under investigation for workplace harassments.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

Revenue: $547 million
Operating Income: $130 million
Current Value: $5.6 billion

The Eagles are a chic pick to win the NFC East, if quarterback Jalen Hurts can continue his upswing.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Revenue: $563 million
Operating Income: $116 million
Current Value: $5.1 billion

The Silver and Black moved to Las Vegas before the 2020 season and got a huge bump from having fans at the new Allegiant Stadium. The franchise's value leapt a whopping 49%.

6. Houston Texans

Revenue: $571 million
Operating Income: $211 million
Current Value: $4.7 billion

After a dismal 4-13 season, the Texans face another uphill battle, hoping second-year quarterback Davis Mills can steal some wins. Still, the Texans head into the season with the third-best revenue number in the NFL.

5. San Francisco 49ers

Revenue: $575 million
Operating Income: $142 million
Current Value: $5.2 billion

An NFC Championship berth led to a 25% bump in franchise value, and 49ers fans are hoping second-year quarterback Trey Lance can get the franchise over the hurdle and into the Super Bowl.

4. New York Giants

Revenue: $584 million
Operating Income: $178 million
Current Value: $6 billion

The Giants haven't reached the playoffs since 2016, but fans of Big Blue aren't convinced that quarterback Daniel Jones is the man to lead the team back.

3. Los Angeles Rams

Revenue: $628 million
Operating Income: $203 million
Current Value: $6.2 billion

Los Angeles' more successful, more lucrative team is coming off a Super Bowl victory. The new $5 billion SoFi Stadium welcomed fans for the first time, leading to a 29% bump in value.

2. New England Patriots

Revenue: $651 million
Operating Income: $231 million
Current Value: $6.4 billion

The Patriots are learning that life is a lot easier when your quarterback is arguably the greatest player in NFL history. With Tom Brady under center, New England won six Super Bowl titles. With Brady gone to Tampa Bay, the Pats are struggling and are no longer the cream of the crop in the AFC. Where they are elite, however, is in revenue. Their $231 million in revenue ranks second on this list.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Revenue: $1.1 billion
Operating Income: $466 million
Current Value: $8 billion

As a business, "America's Team" has no peer. Dallas cruised to the title of the most valuable team in the NFL for the 15th straight year. Valued at $8 billion, the Cowboys, in fact, are the most valuable franchise in the world across all sports. Despite not reaching a Super Bowl since 1996, Dallas is the undisputed king of NFL revenue.

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Methodology: In order to discover how rich every NFL is, GOBankingRates used Forbes' "NFL Team Values 2022" data to find the following factors for all 32 NFL teams; (1) revenue from the 2021-22 season; (2) operating income for the 2021-22 season; (3) current team value entering the 2022-23 season, and (4) the 1-year change in value from the start of the 2021-22 season to the start of the 2022-23 season. Only factor (1) was used to determine final rankings. All data was collected on and up to date as of August 23, 2022.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Rich Every NFL Team Is