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 $44.166nb 2021 $53.552bn 2022 $54.698bn 2023 $55.986bn 2024 $62.424bn* 2025 $56.168bn* 2026 $63.742bn*
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
sportFootball (soccer) $19.183bn 34.3% Most valuable property NFL $12.433bn 22.2% Most valuable
marketUnited States $27.521bn 49.2%
Callum McCarthy, SportBusiness Editor in Chief, says: “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.”
