Florida has teams playing in all the major leagues. The Sunshine State is passionate about all kinds of sports, not just baseball and American Football. Some of the greatest sports personalities have built a career in Florida, like Kaka, the Brazilian football legend, and LeBron James.
This guide looks into the most valuable and best-performing sports teams in Florida, narrowing the list down to five. Hopefully, your favorite team is on the list.
Before we get to that, it’s important not to underestimate the popularity of sports betting in the Sunshine State. Florida also offers casino games, daily fantasy sports, horse racing, and a state lottery. It also has the third-biggest population in the US, which contributes to the success of the industry.
On the other hand, sports betting isn’t legal yet. Last year, it briefly became legal in the wake of the 2021 gaming compact. Legal action followed, and insiders don’t expect the parties involved to settle it until at least next year.
Until then, you can stay current on all the latest action and updates in Florida’s sports betting market by checking PlayFL.com.
1. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are Florida’s most valuable team, currently worth an impressive $4.6 billion. This is at least $3.5 billion above what owner Stephen Ross paid for the team back in 2009.
In 2021 alone, the Dolphins’ value increased by a whopping 35%, even though the season closed without a playoff berth and the money that would have come with it.
It is estimated that the Dolphins’ annual operating income amounts to $160 million, and their annual revenue is $533 million. These figures are among the highest in the NFL and can be partially accounted for by profitable non-football events taking place at Hard Rock Stadium.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise value has not stopped growing since 2002. In the current year, it was $3.68 billion. The owner of the team has been Malcolm Glazer since 1995. He bought them for $192 million that year.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a classic football team, part and parcel of our culture. They are a very successful team accustomed to playing in the scorching Florida heat. They have made six playoffs and won the division championship twice.
This year, they played the Patriots at the AFC Championship. The franchise value was $3.48 billion in 2022, up 21% year-over-year.
4. Miami Heat
The NBA’s popularity peaked during the 1980s thanks to legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The game suffered when certain players retired, and its popularity declined. It also attracted fewer fans than before.
This tendency continued well into the 2000s. Then, it passed, and the NBA is back and bigger than ever. Millions in the US alone watch NBA tournaments. One of the most beloved basketball teams is Miami Heat, who are now worth around $3 billion.
5. Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team also capitalizing on the sport’s popularity. It is fifth on the list and was worth an estimated $1.64 billion in 2021. This is almost twice its value in 2016.
Chris Zasada
Chris is a Midwest Transplant that has lived in South Florida since 1999. While he likes to remain active and is an avid sports enthusiast, he's become our go-to provider of reviews of any establishment serving food and booze!