The Royals are valued at $1.3 billion, according to the latest estimates by Forbes magazine, but that ranks them as the third-least valuable franchise according to their metrics. Only the Marlins and Rays rank below the Royals in valuation, with the Yankees topping the list at $8.2 billion.
Forbes estimates valuations overall are up 8 percent with the average team valued at $2.6 billion. This comes despite an uncertain TV landscape where the league will cut ties with ESPN and regional sports network provider Diamond Sports just emerged from bankruptcy. Forbes notes that despite the sale of the Orioles for $1.