Houston Rockets: Currently Ranked As 6th Most Valuable Franchise According To Forbes

Jan 20, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In Forbes’ 2014 edition of the most valuable NBA franchises, the Houston Rockets currently rank 6th, with a current value of $775 million. The Rockets have also made $191 million in revenue, and have an operating profit of $64 million.

The biggest downfall to the franchise at this point are cable ratings, mostly due to the fact that Comcast Houston now holds the broadcasting rights to the Rockets. 40 percent of the Houston market still is unable to access CSN Houston.

“The Rockets, who own 31% of the regional sports network, suffered a 57% drop in their average rating during the 2012-13 season, to 1.1, in the first year they were televised on CSN Houston. Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has sued Comcast and Drayton McLane, from whom he bought the baseball team and 46% of CSN Houston, for fraud.”

While the CSN Houston situation is still hoping to be resolved, it’s remarkable for the Rockets to be this high on the list when they’ve been labeled as a “small market team” in the NBA.

The New York Knicks come in first, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets all precede the Rockets.