The global value of sports media rights has increased to a record high of almost $56bn (€51.1bn/£44.7bn), SportBusiness’ Global Media Report 2023 reveals.
The newly published report finds the combined worldwide media rights value of all sports properties has climbed to $55.986bn this year, up 2.4 per cent from $54.698m in 2022.
The report also projects the global value of sports media rights will exceed $60bn for the first time next year as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 Uefa European Championship add weight to the total.
The increased value of media rights – sport’s biggest revenue stream – comes despite a turbulent period across the sports media landscape as broadcasters focus on profitability amid financial and structural challenges.
Global value of media rights, 2019 to 2026
| Year | Total |
| 2019 | $51.207bn |
| 2020 | $44.166bn |
| 2021 | $53.552bn |
| 2022 | $54.698bn |
| 2023 | $55.986bn |
| 2024 | $62.424bn* |
| 2025 | $56.168bn* |
| 2026 | $63.742bn* |
Source: SportBusiness Global Media Report 2023
As well as providing an overall total, the Global Media Report lists the top 10 sports, properties and markets by global media rights value.
This year, the top sport is football (soccer), which has a global media rights value of $19.183bn (a 34.4% total share). The top individual property is the National Football League (NFL), which has a global media rights value of $12.433bn (22.2%). And the top market is the United States, which has a global media rights value of $27.521bn (49.2%).
Top sport, property and market by global media rights value, 2023
| Category | Item | Value | Share |
| Most valuable sport | Football (soccer) | $19.183bn | 34.3% |
| Most valuable property | NFL | $12.433bn | 22.2% |
| Most valuable market | United States | $27.521bn | 49.2% |
Callum McCarthy, SportBusiness Editor in Chief, said: “The global value of sports media rights has increased to just under $56bn and will pass $60bn in 2024 thanks to the Olympic Games in Paris and Uefa Euro 2024. This growth is occurring despite years of turbulence that began before the Covid-19 pandemic as media businesses run toward profitability rather than expansion.
“Most European football leagues are struggling to grow their media revenues beyond current levels, but global sport reaches far beyond five leagues in five countries. Properties such as the NFL, NBA, Uefa Champions League, Formula 1, IPL and WWE are performing strongly and will continue to do so throughout the decade, and major sporting events such as the Fifa World Cup and the Olympic Games are still yet to reach their peak commercial potential.”
Notes to editors
- If you wish to publish the values contained in this press release, please credit SportBusiness/SportBusiness Global Media Report 2023.
- Published annually, the SportBusiness Global Media Report provides comprehensive analysis of the global value of sports media rights.
- The data in the report is sourced from SportBusiness Media’s Rights Tracker, the most comprehensive database of sports media rights deals in the world. The database contains verified information on over 26,000 deals, gathered and contextualised by a team of investigative journalists. Informed estimated have been made where it has not been possible to verify a fee.
- The 2023 SportBusiness Global Media Report is available to buy now for £4,995. To download the executive summary, click here.
Press contact
Joseph Perry
Email: joseph.perry@sportbusiness.com
Alternative email: press@sportbusiness.com
About SportBusiness
SportBusiness works with sports organisations around the world to provide them with the intelligence they need to unlock value and grow their businesses.
Over the last 25 years, we have earned the trust of a wide range of stakeholders in the sports industry. Teams, franchises, leagues, tournaments, sponsors, broadcast companies, agencies, venues, financial institutions and universities have come to rely on the depth, accuracy and credibility of our information, data and analysis.
Our key products are SportBusiness Media, the most trusted independent source of media rights values and deals globally, SportBusiness Sponsorship, a leading source of global sponsorship deal data and activation studies, and SportBusiness, our daily news, insights, and analysis service for globally-minded professionals in the industry.
In addition to our subscription services, we published stand-alone reports on trends in the industry as well as customised insights for individual clients.
Alongside our products and reporting, SportBusiness Insights provides commercial due diligence, advice, and solutions to help our clients develop their businesses.
Based in London, with offices in Miami, Dubai and Singapore, SportBusiness is part of the Silva International Investments portfolio in sports, media and entertainment.