New Numbers: What The Cubs, White Sox, And Brewers Are Worth

Okay, so opening day of the 2026 MLB season wasn't exactly kind to either the Chicago Cubs or the Chicago White Sox, with both teams losing their first games of the year.

But, when it comes to Major League Baseball, wins and losses don’t always tell the full story because franchise value is where things really get interesting.

According to Forbes’ 2026 estimates, the Chicago Cubs remain one of baseball’s financial heavyweights, valued at roughly $5 billion, good enough for the number-four ranking overall. That puts them firmly among the top-tier franchises in the sport, thanks to a combination of historic brand power, loyal fan support, and the enduring appeal of Wrigley Field.

On the other side of town, the Chicago White Sox come in significantly lower, with a valuation around $2 billion. While that figure still reflects a major-league business, it highlights the gap between the two Chicago clubs in terms of national reach, attendance, and overall brand value.

Values Drop When You Cross The Northern Border Of Illinois Into Wisconsin

Up in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Brewers are valued at approximately $1.9 billion, placing them toward the lower-middle of the league. Despite strong on-field success in recent years, smaller market size plays a major role in limiting overall franchise value compared to big-city teams like the Cubs.

At the bottom end of Major League Baseball, teams like the Miami Marlins (around $1.05 billion) and Tampa Bay Rays (roughly $1.25 billion) continue to rank among the least valuable franchises. These clubs often face challenges such as lower attendance, stadium issues, and smaller media markets, all of which impact their financial standing.

MLB's top ten most valuable teams in 2026 (according to Forbes):

1. New York Yankees: $8.5 billion
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: $7.8 billion
3. Boston Red Sox: $5.25 billion
4. Chicago Cubs: $5 billion
5. San Francisco Giants: $4.05 billion
6. New York Mets: $3.5 billion
7. Philadelphia Phillies: $3.4 billion
8. Atlanta Braves: $3.35 billion
9. Houston Astros: $3.2 billion
10. San Diego Padres: $3.1 billion

It's Hard To Feel Sorry For A Billion Dollar Franchise, But MLB Values Pale In Comparison To Other Sports Teams

When you get to the category of the world's most valuable sports franchises, the dollar amounts get really big.

Forbes’ latest global rankings are topped by the Dallas Cowboys at about $13 billion, followed by the Golden State Warriors at $11 billion. The Los Angeles Rams also crack the upper tier at around $10.5 billion, with the New England Patriots not far behind.

What’s clear is that while baseball remains a billion-dollar business across the board, market size, media deals, and global brand recognition still separate the financial giants from the rest of the pack.

The world's top ten most valuable sports franchises (according to Forbes):

• Dallas Cowboys: $13 billion
• Golden State Warriors: $11 billion
• LA Rams: $10.5 billion
• New York Giants: $10.1 billion
• LA Lakers: $10 billion
• NY Knicks: $9.75 billion
• New England Patriots: $9 billion
• San Francisco 49ers: $8.6 billion
• Philadelphia Eagles: $8.3 billion
• (tie) Chicago Bears: $8.2 billion
• (tie) New York Yankees: $8.2 billion