3 Atlantic Division Teams in NBA’s 10 Most Valuable Franchises.

Today Forbes Magazine released the estimated current values of all the NBA teams. The Knicks, Celtics, and the Nets were in the top 10. Not only are those three teams having successful seasons but the business year has been intriguing as well.

Lets start with the New York Knicks. It was hard to imagine that the Knicks would do better financially this year after Linsanity, but they did. In fact they increased revenue by 41% and passed the Lakers by 1 million dollars to be worth a total of $1.1 billion producing a $83 million profit. To put the Knicks financial success into perspective, the average NBA franchise is work $509 million. This number is also impressive because according to Forbes, out of the ten highest paid players in the NBA the Knicks have two under contract. The Sixth ranked Carmelo Anthony who makes $19.4 million on the court and Amar’e Stoudemire who makes 19.9 million on the court. According to Forbes.com the main reason for the Knicks dramatic increase was the $980 million invested in the current renovation of Madison Square Garden and the recent of success of the team after a pitiful decade. Last years playoff win was the first post-season victory since 2001. The team’s merchandise was also surprisingly the NBA’s second-bestselling last season and was the top seller even after Jeremy Lin played his last game. Also having a 119$ average ticket price wont hurt either.

Forbes.com also had an interesting article I read on the Boston Celtics and their recent boom financially.  In the past decade the Celtics have doubled their franchise value and currently rank 4^th in the NBA at $730 million. From last year the Celtics have increased profits by 51%. The team also has the third highest average ticket price at $69. Obviously Boston has a very large and loyal fan base, but I believe that a part of the team’s financial success the Forbes didn’t mention was Danny Ainge’s practice of sabermetrics. Over the past decade the Celtics have consistently been one of the better teams in the league. Ainge was able to spend money on big names like Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett because he can put together a strong team/strong draft class though in depth statistical analysis. As a result the team keeps its fans and attracts lucrative advertising and television deals.

The Brooklyn Nets value increased 48% to $530 million, ranking Brooklyn’s new franchise ninth overall. The move from New Jersey to the $1 billion Barclays Center has transformed the team from one of the league’s financial bums to one of its heros. In part to the small investor Jay-Z the team opened the arena to rave reviews with a series of eight concerts in the fall. The Nets new home also includes attractions to fans like Jay-Z’s notorious 40/40 club, and luxurious floor level suites that rent for $550,000 a year. Last year the Nets tallied up the NBA’s second-biggest operating loss in their final season playing in New Jersey’s Prudential Center, but it is a new era for the team following their move to Brooklyn with the new and improved all black Jay-Z swagger. The team is planning to add the NHL’s Islanders as a tenant starting in 2015, which will help compensate for the arena’s high operating expenses.

For those who were curious about the other members of the Atlantic Division, here are the Forbes value ranking for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors: