SeaTown Sports Brew - How Much Are Seattle’s Teams Worth?

Taking a look at the valuations of Seattle’s professional sports teams

Welcome to the SeaTown Sports Brew, a briefing that provides insight into Seattle’s sports teams, including a roundup of last week’s games and top performers. Have an opinion? Leave us a comment or email me here. Want this in your inbox Monday? Subscribe below.

The Leadoff - Thoughts on Seattle Pro Team Valuations

Last week, Sportico published its WNBA team valuations, valuing the Seattle Storm at $135 million, putting them second in the league behind the Las Vegas Aces at $140 million. I expect the Storm’s valuation to rise alongside the WNBA’s popularity. Much of the Storm’s success should be credited to Force 10 Hoops LLC, the group that purchased the Storm from the Seattle Supersonics/OKC Thunder ownership in 2008.

How much is $135 million in the grand scheme of professional sports? According to Forbes, the most valuable sports team is the Dallas Cowboys at $9 billion, which is insane to think about because the Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl since 1996. The Seattle Seahawks are not too far behind the Cowboys at $5 billion, placing them No. 22 overall among all sports teams in the world on the Forbes list. After Paul Allen took ownership of the team in 1997, the Seahawks have won 10 division championships, three NFC championships, and one Super Bowl. The team’s long-term success has not faltered since Jody Allen and Paul Allen’s estate took over after Paul Allen’s passing in 2018.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Seattle Mariners have not found close to as much success as their neighbors. This is despite the franchise being valued at $2.2 billion by Forbes, placing them at 13th among MLB franchises. The Mariners are in the upper half, despite making the playoffs once since 2001. The team is great at making a profit, just not so good at actually winning. Things have felt different since Jerry Dipoto arrived, but fans will continue to lament the team’s frugal mentality, especially in light of the team’s valuation.

Also in the billion-dollar range? The young Seattle Kraken franchise. Forbes values the Kraken at $1.23 billion, 14th among NHL teams. The Kraken began play in 2021, yet are already in the top half of the league’s 32 teams in terms of valuation.

Seattle Sounders FC is also doing well on the valuation front. The team is the sixth most valuable franchise in the MLS, coming in at $785 million. Since its inaugural season in 2009, the Sounders have won two MLS Cups, four U.S. Open Cups, and one CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Finally, Seattle Reign FC were recently sold for $58 million. As we discussed in today’s podcast, like the WNBA, the NWSL is seeing an increase in popularity. It won’t be surprising to see the Reign’s value continue to rise as at the same time.

Winners and Losers

• Winner - Seattle Storm (10-6) - I’m counting the Storm as winners, despite splitting this week’s games. An 11-point victory over the Connecticut Sun (13-3) shows that this team belongs in the top tier of the WNBA.

• Loser - Seattle Mariners (45-35) - The Mariners were 10 games up in the AL West, they are now 6 games up after a disappointing week, dropping 2 of 3 both to the Guardians and the Marlins.

• Winner - Seattle Sounders FC (6-7-7) - Two comebacks this week earned the Sounders four points in the standings. They are slowly creeping up the Western Conference and sit behind Vancouver for the final playoff spot.

• Loser - Seattle Reign FC (2-9-3) - The Reign gave up a goal in extra time, in the 97th minute to see their third win of the season disappear. The team continues to struggle and is second to last in the NWSL league standings.

On-Deck

• The Mariners head on the road for a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays (38-40) and then return home for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (43-35). M’s fans will get a chance to watch potential trade target, Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena.

• Sounders FC host Chicago (4-6-9) on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass). This is an easy chance for the Sounders to pick up three points against a lowly Chicago squad that sits in last place.

• Seattle Reign host Gotham FC (8-3-3) on Sunday 6/30, 10 a.m. on ESPN2.

• The Storm host the Caitlin Clark show (7-11) on Thursday 6/27, 7 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video. They then host the Dallas Wings (3-13) on Saturday 6/29, 6 p.m. on Fox 13+/Amazon Prime (Seattle)/NBA TV. They then host the Connecticut Sun (12-1) on Sunday 6/23, 12 p.m. on Fox 13+/Amazon Prime (Seattle).

This Week in Seattle Sports History

On June 27th, 1983, the Seattle Mariners hit in the wrong order against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning. Dave Henderson went up to bat when it should’ve been Jamie Allen. The Mariners finished last place in the seven-team AL West division that year. The most interesting fact from the team’s Wikipedia page is that Rick Rizzs was calling games in 1983.

Fast Break

Report: Mariners Planning To Be Aggressive In Adding Offense (MLB Trade Rumors)

Some of the hitters that could be available include Tommy Pham, Eloy Jiménez, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz. The White Sox may consider offers for Luis Robert Jr., though it would take a blockbuster to get something done there. The Angels and Athletics could look to move players like Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury, Brent Rooker or Miguel Andujar, though the M’s may be reluctant to send young talent to a division rival. Depending on how the Wild Card races shake out, players like Randy Arozarena, Jesse Winker(though it’s hard to imagine Seattle bringing him back) or Mark Canha may become available as well.

Reggie Jackson on Willie Mays’ legacy & emotions of visiting Rickwood

Hit 4:38 to hear an important historical and living perspective on racism in baseball:

Washington opts out of last two games of men’s basketball series vs. Gonzaga (Seattle Times $)

The final two games of the Gonzaga-Washington men’s basketball series are no longer on the schedule, Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford confirmed.

When the Gonzaga-UW matchup was canceled in the 2021-22 season because of COVID, the schools elected to extend their four-game set with an annual game through the 2025-26 season.

The contract included a clause that if there were a coaching change then either team could opt out and the Huskies chose to “exercise that clause,” Standiford said.