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According to recent NHL valuations from Sportico.com, the Montreal Canadiens boast an impressive worth of $2.93 billion, placing them third in the league hierarchy after the Toronto Maple Leafs at $3.66 billion and the New York Rangers at $3.25 billion.
Author of the article:
Jack Todd • Special to Montreal Gazette
Published Nov 01, 2024 • Last updated 15 hours ago • 4 minute read
At a press conference held at the iconic Bell Centre in Montreal on January 19, 2022, Canadiens’ executive vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, newly appointed general manager Kent Hughes, and owner Geoff Molson were introduced to the media amidst great fanfare.
Ownership of a professional sports franchise in today’s market is akin to possessing a golden ticket, as Jack Todd eloquently describes, highlighting the inescapable profitability tied to team ownership.
The Montreal Canadiens are practically invincible in the financial realm.
Regardless of the quality of coaching, the performance of players, or the consequences of trades and draft decisions, the Canadiens maintain an unshakeable position in the marketplace. Their losses on the ice—such as the two disappointing defeats suffered in the past week—are overshadowed by their undeniable success in the boardrooms governed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
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According to freshly released NHL valuations by Sportico.com, the Canadiens are worth a remarkable $2.93 billion (in U.S. dollars), securing the third position in franchise value, trailing only behind the mighty Leafs and Rangers.
Across the league, team valuations have soared by an astonishing 37 percent over the last year, while the Canadiens’ value increased at a more modest but still impressive rate of 29 percent, especially comparing it to the small-market Edmonton Oilers’ eye-popping 51 percent rise.
Bettman, as the longest-serving commissioner in North American professional sports, has managed to maintain his position despite the controversial figures surrounding him. The enduring success of franchise valuations under his oversight offers a potent reason for owners to overlook his shortcomings.
If a financial manager boosted your portfolio’s value by an impressive 20 to 50 percent annually, would you be inclined to dismiss him due to minor inconveniences? Unlikely.
The Canadiens’ financial trajectory has drastically shifted since January 2002 when George Gillett Jr. acquired an 80 percent stake in the franchise and the Bell Centre from Molson Breweries for a mere $180 million, an agreement facilitated by a shared ski holiday location between Gillett and the late Molson CEO Daniel O’Neill.
Fast forward eight years, Gillett’s fortunes saw a remarkable turnaround as he sold the team to the Groupe CH consortium led by the Molson family for $575 million, marking one of the sport’s most significant financial successes.
Despite initial rumors suggesting Groupe CH was burdened with debt, the value of the Canadiens skyrocketed to over $1 billion within five years. Today, the franchise’s worth has exceeded five times what the Molson group invested back in 2009.
As major sports leagues continue to navigate the lucrative realms of gambling and streaming platforms, the financial momentum of franchises is poised for continued growth. It seems almost impossible for the market’s upward trajectory to falter, barring an unprecedented economic crisis on par with the Great Depression.
In a recent World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing baseball’s financial powerhouses, valued at $7.55 billion and $5.45 billion, respectively.
Owning a sports franchise today is essentially a guaranteed pathway to remarkable profits. This phenomenon persists despite the classic tactic of threatening relocation to secure a new stadium deal, as demonstrated in the NFL by the Buffalo Bills, which are estimated at $5.35 billion, yet still managed to convince taxpayers to contribute significantly to a new stadium’s cost.
On a different note, Jerry Jones presides over the underperforming Dallas Cowboys—valued at an astonishing $11 billion—even without capturing a championship since the turn of the millennium. Meanwhile, former Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder made headlines after purchasing the team for $800 million in 1999 and selling it in 2023 for approximately $6 billion.
Recent developments for the Ottawa Senators illustrate the NHL’s ongoing search for robust ownership, a challenge ultimately met when the Coyotes transitioned to Salt Lake City, leaving behind the instability they experienced in Arizona.
In Montreal, Geoff Molson’s leadership has displayed marked improvement, especially following lessons learned from controversial decisions like the Logan Mailloux draft. As a local owner, Molson demonstrates a genuine passion for hockey, contributing to an environment that, regardless of wins or losses, consistently delivers financial gains.
With a state-of-the-art arena located strategically downtown, the Canadiens are well-positioned to capitalize on revenue opportunities. Frequent playoff appearances could boost profitability significantly, but even in a less-than-stellar season, the overall financial outlook remains overwhelmingly positive.
In the intricate world of sports ownership, victory can be achieved even amidst defeats.
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**Interview with Sports Analyst Alex Johnson on Recent NHL Franchise Valuations**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Alex! Thank you for joining us today. The recent valuation report from Sportico highlights that the Montreal Canadiens are worth an impressive $2.93 billion, making them the third most valuable franchise in the NHL. What stands out to you about this valuation?
**Alex Johnson:** Thanks for having me! What truly stands out is how resilient the Canadiens are financially despite their recent struggles on the ice. The fact that they can maintain such a high value emphasizes their brand strength and historical significance in hockey, which appears to shield them from performance fluctuations.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting you mention performance. With the team experiencing some disappointing losses recently, how do you think this affects their fan engagement and overall market value?
**Alex Johnson:** Well, in Montreal, hockey is almost a religion. The fans have an emotional connection with the team that goes beyond wins and losses. Even during tough seasons, the Canadiens’ loyal fanbase continues to show up, which translates to consistent revenue streams from ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting. This loyalty likely plays a significant role in holding their value steady.
**Interviewer:** The Canadiens’ value increased by 29 percent over the last year, substantially lower than the NHL average of 37 percent. What do you think is causing this discrepancy?
**Alex Johnson:** Various factors come into play. While the Canadiens are still immensely valuable, smaller market teams like the Edmonton Oilers are seeing even bigger jumps due to their recent performance and potential for growth. It’s also possible that the Canadiens’ growth is stabilizing after rapid increases in the past, while other franchises are in the midst of unprecedented ascents.
**Interviewer:** Given the ongoing financial growth across sports franchises, how sustainable do you think this trend is for the NHL and the Canadiens?
**Alex Johnson:** It seems very sustainable for the near future, especially with the expansion of revenue sources through streaming, gambling, and sponsorships. However, external economic factors could certainly impact overall growth, but unless we see a major macroeconomic downturn, it seems the upwards trajectory will likely continue.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what do you think the Canadiens and other franchises need to focus on to maintain their value?
**Alex Johnson:** They need to leverage their brand effectively, invest in player development, and keep engagement high through fan-focused initiatives. Adapting to modern revenue streams—like enhancing digital platforms for streaming and merchandise—will also be crucial. Broadly speaking, franchises must stay relevant, both in their performance and in how they connect with their communities.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Alex. Thank you for sharing your perspective on this exciting topic in sports!
**Alex Johnson:** Always a pleasure! Thanks for having me.
