Sports Teams and Clubs NAICS 711211

Jan 6, 2026 - Strong Growth Forecast

• The US sports teams and clubs industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.77% between 2025 and 2029, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is faster than the overall economy's projected growth. The arts, entertainment, and recreation industries, which include sports teams and clubs, are largely driven by spending by US households and tourists, foreign students, and other visitors. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the sector. Further increases in tariffs and decreases in immigrant labor supplies may push price levels higher and postpone improvement of inflation. The slow rise of employment and higher consumption prices may limit expansion of real disposable income to about 1.8% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026.
• According to a report in Front Office Sports, pro sports team valuations are expected to keep rising in 2026, reinforcing the transformation of teams and clubs into institutional-grade assets. In 2025 alone, change-of-control sales reset records twice, with the Boston Celtics valued at $6.1 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $10 billion, while a minority sale valued the New York Giants above $10 billion. According to the Ross-Arctos Sports Franchise Index cited by Front Office Sports, franchises across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL have delivered 13.2% annualized returns over the past 20 years and 16.9% in the past year, outperforming most asset classes. Scarcity of teams, long-term media-rights certainty (including the NBA’s $77 billion deal and the NFL’s $111 billion agreements), and sophisticated league governance are driving investor confidence. For teams and clubs, this has accelerated minority-stake sales, private equity participation, and multi-stage ownership structures, enabling liquidity while preserving control and supporting continued valuation growth.

• According to reporting in the Sports Business Journal, the National Women's Soccer League’s 2025 regular season closed with average attendance of 10,669 across 182 games, down 5% from last year’s record but steady with 2023. The NWSL's attendance mirrors a similar 5% decline in MLS attendance, signaling broader headwinds for US sports teams and clubs amid shifting fan engagement. While eight of 14 NWSL teams saw year-over-year declines, including five in double digits, clubs like North Carolina Courage (+21%), Orlando Pride (+15%), and Washington Spirit (+9%) posted gains. Portland Thorns FC led the league with 18,173 fans per match, while Bay FC set a single-game record with 40,091 attendees. However, the Wave saw a steep 26% drop, possibly linked to market saturation and star player retirement. The mixed results underscore the need for clubs to invest in fan experience, community engagement, and strategic scheduling to sustain attendance growth.
• Employment by sports teams and clubs increased 10.1% in August 2025 compared to a year ago, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment by sports teams and clubs has grown 32.3% over the past 10 years, faster than the 13% growth in overall private employment. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees at spectator sports fell 0.7% in August 2025 year over year, to $25.74 per hour. Revenue for spectator sports, including sports teams and clubs, decreased 0.7% in Q2 2025 year over year and was up 16.9% compared to the previous quarter, according to data from the Census Bureau.