Who are the most expensive sports teams in history?
The Los Angeles Lakers' proposed $ 10billion (£7.45bn) sale to the TWG Global CEO Mark Walter would make them the most expensive sports team in the world.
Should the sale of the Lakers – who have been owned by the Buss family since 1979, be completed – it will be the most expensive takeover in sports history.
Forbes named Dallas Cowboys ahead of the Lakers' estimated sale value with a valuation of $ 10.1bn (£7.5bn). However, they were last sold in 1989 to owner Jerry Jones.
The previous record sale for a sports team is one of the Lakers' NBA rivals in the Boston Celtics, who were sold for $ 6.1bn (£4.5bn) in March this year.
Of the 10 highest-recorded sports team sales, nine of them are from American franchises across American football, basketball and baseball.
What about English football teams?
Chelsea's sale to Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly for $ 5.4bn (£4bn) is the fourth highest in sports history.
No other football team enters the top 10 in terms of highest recorded sports team sales.
Manchester United, with a valuation of $ 6.55bn (£4.9bn) are viewed as the most valuable English football team, ranking 14th in Forbes' list. Although they did trail neighbours Manchester City in Deloitte's Football Money League for 2025.
Liverpool (27th) and Manchester City (32nd) also feature in Forbes' most valuable sports teams list.
Top 10 highest sports team sales
- Los Angeles Lakers (Basketball) $ 10bn
- Boston Celtics (Basketball) $ 6.1bn
- Washington Commanders (American football) $ 6.05bn
- Chelsea (Football) $ 5.4bn
- Denver Broncos (American football) $ 4.65bn
- Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury (Basketball) $ 4bn
- Dallas Mavericks (Basketball) $ 3.5bn
- Charlotte Hornets (Basketball) $ 3bn
- New York Mets (Baseball) $ 2.4bn
- Carolina Panthers (American football) $ 2.275bn
*Figures are based on highest sports team sales and at the Los Angeles Lakers' expected sale price
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