Los Angeles Football Club becomes the first Major League Soccer franchise to be worth one billion dollars, per Forbes’ latest valuations. A team that joined the MLS less than a decade ago is not bad, and it’s the first club to do it.
The club was founded in 2014, joining MLS for a fee of 110 million dollars. The club has more than doubled in value since 2019. Before, Forbes valued the Black and Gold at about $475 million. This was the last occasion that the outlet issued valuations for American soccer teams.
LAFC valuations show positive signs that Major League Soccer is improving every year. According to Forbes, the average club has risen 85% since 2019. Now the average MLS soccer team is worth $579 MIllion. According to a report, some MLS clubs are worth more than English Primer League soccer teams.
The seventh most valuable premier league team Everton Football Club is nearly worth more than New York Red Bull.
Since Major League Soccer is growing, it will also cost more to form an expansion team now as well. A new MLS club could be in San Diego or Las Vegas and is expected to cost $500 million to join the league. Currently, Charlotte FC set a record when they entered the league for $325 million less than four years ago. In contrast, Toronto FC paid 10 million to join the MLS in 2007, and New York City paid $100 million seven years ago.
Slowly all MLS sides’ value will increase now that Apple Media has the broadcasting rights to cover the MLS. Under the agreement, MLS is essentially guaranteed at least $2.5 billion over a ten-year period. After that, the figure could rise depending on the number of subscriptions.
The club’s value can increase if LAFC remains dominant on the pitch. LAFC rivals LA Galaxy are in second ($925 million), Atlanta United third ($850 million), NYFC fourth ($800 million), and DC United fifth ($700 million).
