Sports' Billion-Dollar Club: Top 10 Richest Leagues that are changing the Game

The world of sports is vast and vivid. From football to basketball to soccer to cricket - fans all over the world are engaged in one sport or the other. And that is good news for these sports franchises, as it means more money in the game.

Let's take a look at the top 10 richest sports leagues in the world.

National Football League (NFL)

The number 1 spot belongs to the National Football League, aka the NFL, in America, founded in 1920. With 32 teams, the league-wide revenue of the NFL during the 2024 season was estimated at $21.2 billion, and the average team value sits at $7.1 billion.

Indian Premier League (IPL)

The second spot goes to the Indian cricket franchise - the Indian Premier League or the IPL, which started back in 2008.

The revenue collected from the 20-team franchise during the 2024 season stands at around USD 16.4 billion, an exponential growth from the league's 2023 season income.

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Founded in 1946, the NBA, or National Basketball Association comes fourth in this list of richest sports franchises. During the 2024 season, with 30 teams playing, the estimated revenue collection stood at $13 billion.

Major League Baseball (MLB)

The American sports franchise, Major League Baseball, popularly known as the MLB, was founded in 1876.

For the 2024 season, the combined power of 30 teams, estimated revenue collection for the league to be a record-breaking $13.9 billion.

English Premier League (EPL)

When it comes to soccer, or football as the rest of the world calls it - EPL is the biggest sports franchise, with 20 teams under the banner. Established in 1992, the English Premier League was a reboot of what was previously known as the Football League First Division. During the 2024-25 season, the league earner a total revenue collection of USD 7.74 billion.

National Hockey League (NHL)

Established in the 1917, the NHL or National Hockey League has a total of 32 teams competing every season. During the 2024 financial year, the NHL reported an estimate of US$6.2 billion in total revenue.

Bundesliga

With $6.82 in revenue, the German soccer league, Bundesliga, founded in 1962, has managed to move up the table since last year. It has crossed the Spanish league, La Liga, to gain the seventh spot in the Top 10 list of the richest sports franchises.

La Liga

The Spanish soccer league, La Liga was established back in 1929. There are 20 clubs under the banner who play for the top spot in the league and to compete in the UEFA competitions alongside other European teams from the EPL, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, etc. During the 2024 season, the LA Liga's revenue earnings were estimated at USD 5.86.

UEFA Champions League

The creme de la creme from all over Europe compete every year to enter the UEFA league, established in 1826. This is the top tier competition in European soccer, where 36 teams compete every year. During the last season, UCL had an estimated revenue collection of $2.06 billions.

Serie A

The Italian soccer franchise, Serie A, was established back in 1989. A total of 20 teams compete every year, and during the last season, the league calculated a total revenue collection of $86.46 million. Also Read: “He is not even arrested yet”: Former UFC star insists Raja Jackson cannot escape prison time after Syko Stu assault