NBA generated $14.5 billion in revenue during 2025-26 season, led by media and gate receipts
The NBA's 30 teams collectively brought in approximately $13.7 billion during the 2025-26 season, averaging roughly $456 million per franchise, according to Sportico. Central revenue — driven heavily by the league's 11-year, $76 billion media deal — was the single largest source, accounting for 41% of total income and lifting each team's TV payout from $103 million to $144 million. Ticket sales and luxury suites ranked second at an estimated $3.64 billion, while sponsorships added another $1.9 billion. The wealthiest franchise by revenue was the Golden State Warriors, whose figure was more than double that of the lowest-earning club, the Memphis Grizzlies.
The NBA generated roughly $14.5 billion in revenue during the 2025-26 season, while the 30 teams collectively made $13.7 billion , or $456 million per club, including non-NBA events at buildings owned or operated by teams
Why it matters
For brands: Sponsorship now represents 15% of NBA team revenue, and naming-rights deals and patch partnerships are commanding record figures, signaling strong commercial demand.
For media: Local media revenue is already under pressure, with 13 teams facing financial consequences from a regional sports network bankruptcy, and that share of revenue is expected to decline further.
For athletes: Players are entitled to 51% of traditional revenue each year, so rising league-wide totals directly affect the size of the salary pool available to them.
For collectives: Potential expansion fees for Las Vegas and Seattle franchises — projected above $500 million per existing owner — fall outside the revenue-sharing formula with players, which could reshape how those proceeds are structured.
Read the full story at Sportico
Sources
- Sportico · Kurt Badenhausen: How the NBA Made $14.5 Billion in Revenue Last Season