Louisville Is Forbes’ Most Valuable CBB Team

According to the 2013 edition of Forbes’ list of College Basketball’s Most Valuable teams, Louisville is worth $38.5 million dollars — the second straight year that the Cardinals have topped the list and an increase from the $36.1 million they were worth in 2012.

The team’s financial success is largely tied to the KFC Yum! Center, the waterfront arena that opened in 2010. The new arena had an immediate impact, driving ticket sales up 28% to $14.2 million and generating over $20 million in contributions to the team, an 84% increase from the prior year. Income from program sales, concessions, parking and other sources also increased by more than $2 million.

The Top 10 in Forbes’ ranking of College Basketball’s Most Valuable Teams is as follows: Louisville ($38.5 million), Kansas ($32.9 million), North Carolina ($32.8 million), Kentucky ($32.1 million), Ohio State ($23.1 million), Indiana ($21.8 million), Wisconsin ($19.8 million), Arizona ($19.5 million), Syracuse ($19.2 million) and Michigan State ($17.3 million).