Celtics NBA's 4th most valuable team (worth $2.1 billion), rank 9th in merchandise sales


Forbes released its annual financial rankings of NBA teams yesterday, with the Celtics valued at $2.1 billion.  Here are the top five:

1. New York Knicks, $3 billion
2. Los Angeles Lakers, $2.7 billion
3. Chicago Bulls, $2.3 billion
4. Boston Celtics, $2.1 billion
5. Los Angeles Clippers, $2 billion

Forbes also stated that the average NBA franchise is now worth $1.25 billion.  Clearly buying the Celtics was a pretty good investment for Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca and company 14 years ago:


Last year the C's were fourth overall as well, but were worth just $1.7 billion.

In other news, the NBA also announced yesterday what the latest jersey and merchandise sales rankings are:


The fact that Boston is ninth in merchandise sales despite no player in the top 15 sums up the current state of the C's perfectly.

Sidebar--how far down the list of jersey sales do you think you'd have to go before reaching a Celtic?  I'd be willing to bet they don't have anyone in the top 50.  And who would the No. 1 Celtic be?  Isaiah Thomas?  Marcus Smart?  Who knows...  It wouldn't even surprise me if the answer was something weird like RJ Hunter or Jonas Jerebko.




Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan