Operating income of NFL franchises 2023
The Dallas Cowboys had an operating income of 564 million U.S. dollars in 2023, the largest of all the NFL teams and nearly double the figure of the team ranked second, the Los Angeles Rams. At the other end of the ranking, the Detroit Lions had the smallest operating income in the league at 56 million U.S. dollars.
The Cowboys top the rich list
Operating income refers to how much of a team’s revenue will become profit after deducting operating expenses, such as wages. In 2023, the average operating income of an NFL team was around 142 million U.S. dollars, which was significantly less than the figure recorded by the Cowboys. Operating income wasn't the only financial metric topped by the team from Texas; the Cowboys also ranked as the most valuable team in the NFL and the most valuable sports team worldwide – despite not playing in the Super Bowl since the 1995 season.
How did the current Super Bowl champions perform?
One team that has featured regularly in recent Super Bowls is the current champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite winning three of the last five Super Bowls as of 2024, the Chiefs had a relatively low operating income when held up to their recent on-pitch successes. Nevertheless, there has been strong growth in terms of the Kansas City Chiefs' franchise value, with the figure more than doubling between 2019 and 2024; a trajectory the Chiefs will hope to maintain.
