NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are worth US$4 billion, making them the most valuable NBA team for the fourth straight year, according to Forbes . That’s despite having the worst record among the league’s 30 teams.
In its annual rankings, Forbes said the Knicks’ value increased 11 per cent from last year because of a $1 billion renovation of Madison Square Garden, completed in 2013, that has produced a series of new revenue streams.
The Knicks, who feature a starting lineup with three new players acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, lost at home Tuesday night for a franchise-record 15th straight game. They began Wednesday with a 10-43 record.
Forbes says the Los Angeles Lakers remain in second place with a value of $3.7 billion, up 12 per cent.
Rounding out the top five are the Golden State Warriors ($3.5 billion), Chicago Bulls ($2.9 billion) and Boston Celtics ($2.8 billion).
The Toronto Raptors are 11th at $1.7 billion. Toronto is also ranked fifth in value increase over the last five years at 222 per cent, behind Golden State (367 per cent), Los Angeles Clippers (282 per cent), Philadelphia (252 per cent) and Milwaukee (233 per cent).
The average NBA team is worth $1.9 billion, up 13 per cent from last year.
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