Major League Soccer: Los Angeles FC, the first franchise to be valued at $1bn (Forbes)

Los Angeles FC (Los Angeles, California, USA) has become the first franchise in MLS history to reach a valuation of $1bn (€911m), according to the "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Clubs 2023" ranking by the US business magazine Forbes on 02/02/2023.

"That's more than double the $475m Forbes determined it was worth in 2019, the last time we assessed North American soccer teams. Just nine years after it joined MLS," said Forbes.

By comparison, Real Madrid CF (LaLiga Santander) was Forbes' most valuable football club in May 2022 ($5.1bn). FC Inter Milan (Serie A TIM) ranked 15^th with a valuation similar to that of Los Angeles FC, at $1bn.

"LAFC built a $350 million, 22,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in downtown L.A. and barnstormed soccer bars and held pep rallies to build interest. It even sent fans to a match in Germany to study European fan culture. Those investments have paid tremendous dividends. LAFC has sold out every MLS regular season and playoff match since its first kickoff in 2018. LAFC turned an estimated $8m (€7.5m as of 31/12/2022) operating profit on a league- high…