MLS: average franchise value is $157m (€137m), up 52% since 2013 (Forbes)

The average franchise value of a team in MLS is up to $157m (€137m), according to estimates in the 2015 MLS Most Valuable Teams report from the American business magazine Forbes, published on 19/08/2015. This average franchise value is up 52% compared to the 2013 MLS report from Forbes ($105m, €74m using the dollar-euro exchange rate at the time).

Forbes estimates a slight downturn in the 2014 average turnover ($25.6m, or about €22.3m) of MLS franchises compared to 2012 ($26.6m, or about €23.2m at the time). However, the American business magazine predicts a growth in the 2015 financial figures of MLS clubs due to increased audiovisual revenues ($90m in domestic TV rights in 2015, compared to the prior figure of $27m per year), as well as increased matchday revenue for clubs, as MLS is averaging 21,343 spectators per match during the 2015 season as of 25/08/2015. This attendance is on course to break the 2014 record attendance of 19,151 spectators per match.

According to Forbes, Seattle Sounders FC, with a franchise value of $245m (€214m) and turnover of $50m (€43.6m) in 2014, and…