10 Richest Sports Leagues in the World
The Richest Sports Leagues in the World - Ranking, Stats and Latest Revenue Figures
These days, sports aren't just about enjoyment of the game; they're big corporations.
There’s a lucrative money machine behind every dunk, tackle or goal. But what are the richest sports leagues in the world? We take a look.
These are the leagues with the greatest games and the highest revenues. So, put on your favourite jersey and let's talk about money. You'll be astonished at exactly how much money these leagues make each year - and how they stay on top!
1. National Football League (NFL) - USA
Revenue: $13 billion in 2023
The NFL is at the top of the list by a long shot. If you've ever wondered why a 30-second Super Bowl ad costs $7 million, here's the answer. The NFL is one of the richest, most influential leagues in the world. It made around $13 billion in 2023 alone.
Read all our American football coverage on our NFL blog
The league is a financial powerhouse due to its 32 teams, big TV partnerships with Fox, ESPN and Amazon, and retail sales into the billions. Within the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are the richest franchise, currently valued at $13.0 billion.
It's crazy that American football doesn't have the same following worldwide as it does in the US. That said, it's financially worth more than any other league.
2. Major League Baseball (MLB) - USA
Revenue: $11.6 billion in 2023
The second-richest sports league in the world is also based in the US. MLB made almost $11.6 billion in 2023, thanks to huge crowds at games (nearly 70 million people), big TV deals and famous teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Baseball may seem like a slower game, but the money is anything but slow. The league's long regular season of 162 games generates a lot of ad spots and ticket revenues each year. That builds up pretty quickly!
3. National Basketball Association (NBA) - USA
Revenue: $10.5 billion in 2023
The NBA has become a global brand thanks to slam dunks, sneaker deals and stars like LeBron James. The league made $10.5 billion in 2023, and a lot of that revenue came from international markets, mainly China.
The NBA is also very popular on social media, with more than 2 billion followers across all platforms. This makes it one of the most valuable and marketable sports leagues in the world.
4. English Premier League (EPL) - UK
Revenue: £6.5 billion in revenue in 2023
Let’s jump over the ocean to the UK! The EPL is England's pride and joy. It’s one of the world’s top 10 football leagues, drawing football enthusiasts from all over. It’s easily the richest football league in the world, with £6.5 billion in revenue in 2023 alone.
What is the Premier League’s secret weapon? More than $12 billion in worldwide broadcast deals over three years. Teams like Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are well-known brands all over the world.
5. National Hockey League (NHL) - USA/Canada
Revenue: $6.1 billion in 2023
Even though the NHL is a "niche" sport outside of North America, it is nevertheless one of the richest sports leagues in the world. It has passionate followers, expensive tickets and TV rights deals with ESPN and TNT that brought in $6.1 billion in 2023.
Hockey gear is also a big business in itself; those jerseys aren't cheap!
6. Indian Premier League (IPL) - India
Revenue: $6.3 billion in 2023
Think cricket can't compete with the big leagues? Think again! The IPL is the fastest-growing sports league in the world. It made an astounding $6.3 billion in 2023, even if it only ran for two months out of the year. Yes, that's right—just two months.
The IPL signed a contract with Viacom18 and Disney Star for media rights worth more than $6 billion over five years. This makes it one of the most valuable sports leagues in the world.
Looking for more? Check out our cricket blog for the latest profiles, interviews and insights!
7. Bundesliga - Germany
Revenue: $4.9 billion in 2023
In 2023, Germany's top football league made almost $4.9 billion with only 18 teams. The Bundesliga is known for its good administration, strong local fan base and iconic teams like Bayern Munich, which is one of the most lucrative and skilled in Europe.
The league’s focus on youth development and low prices hasn't affected the bottom line at all.
8. La Liga - Spain
Revenue: $4.6 billion in 2023
La Liga has been a football superpower for a long time, with stars like Messi, Ronaldo and El Clásico. In 2023, its revenue reached $4.6 billion, thanks to international transactions with famous clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
The Spanish league still plays an essential role in world football, even though many of its historical stars and big names are no longer there.
9. Serie A - Italy
Revenue: $3.1 billion in 2023
Italy's Serie A may not be as popular as it used to be, but it still makes a killing. It is one of the most valuable sports leagues in Europe, with $3.1 billion in 2023. This is due to a rise in competition and several new foreign television arrangements.
With the history of teams like Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan, Italy’s football league won’t find it hard to stay one of the richest sports leagues in the world.
10. Ligue 1 - France
Revenue: $2.4 billion in 2023
France's Ligue 1 may be the last entry on our list, but it still earned a massive $2.4 billion in 2023. A lot of this value is due to the increased interest in PSG, especially when Messi, Neymar and Mbappé all played there together.
The league as a whole has trouble with financial depth, but one or two superclubs frequently bring in large amounts of money for Ligue 1 each year.
What are the Richest Sports Leagues in the World?
One thing is clear: sports are no longer just for fun. All of these leagues make billions of dollars every year via TV rights, streaming, ticket sales and merchandise.
Even younger world players like the IPL are showing that savvy branding, market timing and digital reach can overcome even century-old legacies. For fans, it's not only the game that you're getting into when you buy a jersey or attend a game. You're investing in a big business.
