Washington Nationals Value: How Much Could It Cost To Buy The MLB Team?

The Washington Nationals could become the next Major League Baseball franchise to go up for sale. Ownership is at least considering the idea of selling a portion or all of the MLB team.

“This is an exploratory process, so there is no set timetable or expectation of a specific outcome,” Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner said in a statement to The Washington Post. “The organization is as committed as ever to their employees, players, fans, sponsors and partners and to putting a competitive product on the field.”

Lerner told the Post that the family-owned team has hired New York investment bank Allen & Company to research possible investors and buyers for the club. Billionaire Ted Lerner transferred control of the Nationals to his son, Mark, in 2018.

Washington hasn’t determined if it will completely sell the team or bring on more ownership partners. Considering the Nationals’ estimated value in 2022, a full sale would result in a significant return on investment for the Lerner family.

The Lerner Family bought the Nationals, formerly the Montreal Expos, for $450 million in 2006. Prior to the start of the 2022 MLB season, Forbes estimated the Nationals’ value at $2 billion.

Washington is one of 12 MLB teams with a value of $2 billion or more. The Nationals have a $36 million operating income, according to Forbes. The Nationals’ $126.2 million payroll for 2022 ranks 20th in MLB, according to Spotrac.

The New York Mets were the most recent MLB team to be sold. Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, the richest owner in baseball, purchased the club for $2.4 billion in 2020.

In 2019, entrepreneur John Sherman led an ownership group that bought the Kansas City Royals for about $1 billion. Two years earlier, the Miami Marlins were sold for $1.2 billion.

The Nationals are not far removed from winning a championship. Washington won the 2019 World Series for the first title in franchise history.

After two disappointing seasons, the Nationals have traded away many of their best players and are viewed as one of MLB’s worst teams.