How Much is the Detroit Lions Franchise Worth?

There seems to be extra buzz about the Detroit Lions during the offseason this year. At least, that's the impression that I get.

People like to diss the team, but in the end, there's no denying the Detroit Lions pull in a ton of revenue. So, how much is the Lions franchise worth?

According to Forbes magazine's latest yearly valuation for each NFL franchise, the Detroit Lions are the 30th most valuable NFL franchise. They're valued at $2.4 billion, with an operating income of -$22 million. The Lions are owned by Martha Firestone Ford, who purchased the franchise for 4.5 million U.S. dollars in 1964.

As for who's on top, it's not a big surprise. For the 15th consecutive year, the Dallas Cowboys were rated the most valuable franchise in the NFL, with a valuation of $6.5 billion. "The Cowboys generate the most revenue ($800 million) and operating income ($280 million) in the league by a mile," Forbes stated. "Owner Jerry Jones is the league’s consummate salesman, and the team’s more than $200 million in combined sponsorship and advertising revenue is easily tops in the NFL."

The two franchises at the bottom of the tally were the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, valued at $2.275 and $2.27 billion, respectively.