Maple Leafs earn almost as much as the combined income of 28 teams

Forbes has come out with the valuation of the 30 NHL teams and of course the Toronto Maple Leafs are on top.  There valued as almost doubled to $1 billion.

But here is the real shocker.  Toronto has an operating income (profit) of $82 million.  Take away the Rangers and the combined income for the remaining 28 teams only adds up to $98 million. That's because 13 team lose money.  This suggests that either the economic model is broken and the league is in markets where making a profit will be at best difficult.

Though for the Maple Leafs probably any economic model would work.  In fact, without a salary cap the Maple Leafs would be able to scoop up just about any free agent they wanted.  Now that doesn't guarantee a championship, it doesn't always work for the New York Yankees.  But if the Leafs could spend their way out of the basement we know they could at least make the playoffs.

Not surprising the Leafs haven't made the playoffs since the salary cap was introduced.