Valuation of MLS Franchises

[Pack87Man]

Setting aside SEM for the moment, as it just complicates the discussion, I want to get some speculation on a topic that I've been thinking about. Kroenke paid about $20 million for the Rapids in 2003. Since then, New York went for something in the $25-$30 million range to Red Bull, and DC's looking at getting a price tag in the vicinity of $25 million. Since we seem to have established a baseline for the value of an MLS team, I want to ask about and MLS team with a stadium. All the recent team sales have been of teams without stadiums. What would an LA or a Chicago or a Dallas fetch on the open market?

[bigredmachine]

I think the teams will continue to sell for around $25 million. The stadiums are handled separately for concerts, etc.. NY actually sold, I think, for around $150 million, but that included Harrison and other rights. Stadium ownership and rights are not cleanly owned by teams, but they have favorable contracts and control.