NHL Valuations Breakdown With Kurt Badenhausen

During the latest episode of Sporticast, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams catch up with the valuation expert Kurt Badenhausen from Sportico to dive into his most recent NHL valuations, revealing substantial across-the-board increases. The average NHL team’s value now stands at $1.31 billion, marking a 29% surge from the previous year’s figures.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the charts at $2.65 billion, followed by the New York Rangers ($2.45 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($2.27 billion), and Chicago Blackhawks ($1.84 billion). The Arizona Coyotes are at the bottom with $675 million.

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The trio delves into the figures, dissecting what’s fueling these significant valuation leaps. One of the major catalysts is the recent Ottawa Senators’ sale for $950 million, establishing a new valuation floor for NHL teams ranking lower on the list, according to Badenhausen. Additionally, minority stakes sales in Montreal, Toronto, Washington, and Tampa Bay have contributed to defining the NHL’s evolving landscape.

Per Badenhausen, some of this growth is unique to the NHL, while other factors are attributed to the wider industry trends. He explains that sports teams across all leagues are now considered an asset class, with built-in scarcity value. However, the NFL and NBA’s escalating prices are making NHL teams a more feasible entry point into major U.S. sports for many.

The trio also delves into the NHL’s arena strategy, the influence of media deals in the U.S. and Canada, and they conduct a detailed analysis of specific team numbers, including the Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, and San Jose Sharks.

Lastly, they discuss the recent news of the Seattle Sounders being in advanced talks to acquire the NWSL’s OL Reign.

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