most valuable sports teams in the world

Value: $1.28 billion 1 year change: 83% Owner: Lerner Family The Nationals were tabbed as World Series favorites in Vegas after signing free agent pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven year, $210 million contract. The deal includes the largest deferral in the history of baseball, $105 million, which will be paid out in equal $15 million installments each July 1 between 2022 and 2028.

Value: $1.25 billion 1 year change: 18% Owners: Jerry Richardson, Carolina PSLFC The Panthers locked up franchise QB Cam Newton in June to a 5 year, $103.8 million deal. The former No. 1 overall pick set an NFL QB record with 14 rushing TDs his rookie year.

Value: $1.25 billion 1 year change: 61% Owner: Leslie Alexander Last year a federal bankruptcy judge approved the reorganization of CSN Houston, the failed network jointly owned by Comcast, the Rockets and MLB s Houston Astros that was unable to gain widespread coverage. The Rockets and Astros emerged with a new local television home, Root Sports Southwest.

Value: $1.25 billion 1 year change: 28% Owner: Partnership led by Pat Gillick The Phillies have turned into losers on the diamond, but will be winners on the balance sheet thanks to a 25 year television agreement with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia that starts with the 2016 season and is worth more than $5 billion. The team will own 25% of the RSN.

Value: $1.23 billion 1 year change: 15% Owner: Glazer Family The Bucs turned over the keys to the franchise to QB Jameis Winston, who won the 2013 Heisman Trophy and was selected first overall in the 2015 NFL draft. The Bucs won only 6 games combined the past 2 seasons.

Value: $1.22 billion 1 year change: 48% Owners: Ray Davis, Bob Davis The Rangers finances got a boost last year with a new stadium naming rights deal with Global Life and Accident Insurance. The 10 year deal is expected to be worth as much as $50 million. The team s blockbuster rights deal with Fox Sports Southwest kicks off in 2015. The agreement averages $85 million a year.

Value: $1.18 billion 1 year change: 53% Owner: Micky Arison The Heat played 82 playoff games between 2011 and 2014, but the departure of LeBron James kept the team out of the postseason in 2015. Heat TV ratings were off 27% last season with King James in Cleveland.

Value: $1.16 billion 1 year change: 10% Owner: Adams Family The Titans inked a 20 year stadium naming rights deal with Nissan this summer worth an estimated $100 million. The automaker replaces building products firm Louisiana Pacific, which inked a deal in 2006 for LP Field.

Value: $1.15 billion 1 year change: 58% Owner: Liberty Media The Atlanta Braves new $672 stadium in Cobb County, expected to be finished in 2017, will use nearly $372 million of public money to build the ballpark. The team plans to develop a $500 million mixed use complex next to the stadium with a hotel, office space, apartments and stores.

Value: $1.15 billion 1 year change: 50% Owner: Mark Cuban The Mavericks posted the third highest average attendance in the NBA during the 2014 15 season with 20,187 at American Airlines Center. The Mavs currently have the longest sellout streak in the 4 major sports. They have sold out every game since December 15, 2001 with the streak reaching 620 games this year.