Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers are NBA’s most profitable team

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 5: Brandon Ingram #14 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo in the office of Jeanie Buss before a press conference to introduce Los Angeles Lakers 2016 draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac on July 5, 2016 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 5: Brandon Ingram #14 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo in the office of Jeanie Buss before a press conference to introduce Los Angeles Lakers 2016 draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac on July 5, 2016 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Lakers were the NBA’s most profitable team in the 2016-17 season.

On the court, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been great in recent seasons. The Lakers have missed the postseason in four consecutive years, the longest drought in franchise history. With how loaded the Western Conference is this season, it is likely the Lakers drought goes to five years.

However, you know the Lakers will keep raking in the cash. Despite their struggles, the Lakers are still a national brand. They are one of the most recognizable and successful sports franchises in the world, winning 16 NBA Championships. Multiple Hall of Famers has suited up in the purple and gold, making them a household name even for the most casual fans.

That is why it should come as no surprise that the Lakers make a ton of money despite an underwhelming on-court product. Last season was the first time in 20 years that Kobe Bryant was not on the roster. It was the first time in a long time the Lakers didn’t have a star player, but it did not matter.

Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers

Despite the losing season and no truly recognizable names, the Lakers basically printed money. According to Brian Windhorst and Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Lakers were the most profitable franchise in the NBA last season, and it wasn’t even close.

"The Lakers finished with a gargantuan $115 million profit as measured by net income even after writing a revenue-sharing check for almost $49 million, according to league accounting. That was the highest net income in the league by nearly $25 million. The biggest factor was the $149 million they took in from massive local media rights deals, primarily with Time Warner."

That is an impressive feat when you take into account everything that happened with the Lakers last offseason. They underwent a management shift right before the NBA Trade Deadline, as Jeanie Buss dismissed longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and her brother, Jim Buss.

Magic Johnson was brought on as President of Basketball Operations and oversaw the trade deadline. In early March, Rob Pelinka was named General Manager. The two committed to the youth movement, as the Lakers were playing a rotation that had no one with more than two years of playing experience.

Despite playing multiple players that fans did not know, the Lakers were still a big draw. That should continue this season as they added one of the most polarizing prospects in recent history in Lonzo Ball.

Ball gives the Lakers hope for their rebuild, giving the franchise two potential cornerstone building blocks along with Brandon Ingram. There are other impressive young players such as Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac and Jordan Clarkson also on the roster that should become household names.

Next: 30 Greatest Scorers In Lakers History

The Lakers have their eyes on big named free agents in 2018. If their youngsters show development this season, and they can add a bonafide superstar or two, the Lakers will continue being a juggernaut when it comes to revenue earnings.

Home/Lakers News