In a season that has been filled with disappointment and frustration, the Colorado Rapids unfortunately were dealt another blow.
Forbes Magazine on Wednesday released its annual “Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams” ranking 18 of the 20 teams in the MLS. New expansion clubs NYCFC and Orland City SC are not included in this year’s valuations as they did not play in 2014.
The Rapids were ranked last by Forbes with a current value of $105 million. Additionally, 2014 revenue was listed at $15 million and 2014 operating income was listed at –$3 million.
Seattle Sounders FC topped the list with a current value of $245 million with a 2014 revenue of $50 million and an operating income of $10 million. The Los Angeles Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers and Toronto FC round out the top five most valuable MLS teams.
Overall, MLS is continuing to rise as most MLS team owners have continued to spend big in order to grow the league. Now, the average MLS team is worth $157 million, up 52% from two years ago.
However, the Colorado Rapids don’t seem to going in the right direction. In sports, winning dramatically boosts demand, and for the past few seasons, the Rapids have been struggling to string together victories. It’s disappointing for the club and for fans how far the Rapids have fallen since being crowned MLS Cup champions in 2010.
Kroenke Sports Enterprises is the owner of the Colorado Rapids, chaired by CEO E. Stan Kroenke. Under the Kroenke umbrella are the Rapids, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Pepsi Center, the Paramount Theatre, the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Mammoth (NLL). Additional properties under KSE’s umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network; Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider; and Altitude Tickets, the official ticketing provider for KSE teams and venues. Kroenke also owns the St. Louis Rams (NFL) and Arsenal FC (EPL).
In July, Forbes Magazine released its annual “World’s 50 most Valuable Sports Teams” and Arsenal FC ranked No. 36 on the list with a value of $1.31 billion.
With how the MLS is continuing to rise in stature almost annually, it may be time for Kroenke to spend more to bring in better talent to the team or sell the team to an interested party whose main priority is interested in improving the Colorado Rapids.
Sammy Mugharbil, a Mile High Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver, contributed to this report