Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is introduced during home opener
Cade Cunningham is introduced to the LCA crowd for the 2025-26 NBA season as the Pistons play their home opener against the Boston Celtics.
The Detroit Pistons are worth $3.65 billion, according to Forbes’ most recent NBA valuations, with $106 million in operating income and $321 million in revenue.
The Pistons ranked 27th out of 30 NBA teams, directly behind the Charlotte Hornets ($3.8 million) and just in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves ($3.6 million).
According to Forbes, the Golden State Warriors are the most valuable team in the league, worth an estimated $11 billion, as of Oct. 23.
The Memphis Grizzlies are least valuable at only $3.5 billion.
“After five consecutive years with no more than 23 victories, the Pistons returned to the postseason in 2024-25, going 44-28 behind a breakout season by Cade Cunningham before being ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Knicks,” Forbes writes about the Pistons. “The good news for Detroit: Cunningham is under contract through the 2029-30 season, and the team should have room under the tax threshold to continue improving its roster.”
Here’s more to know from the Forbes story.
Pistons value increase is last in NBA
The Pistons increased their value by 7% in the past year, according to Forbes, the smallest increase in the NBA. Only two others, the Milwaukee Bucks (8%) and Dallas Mavericks (9%), were in single digits.
The team’s revenue ($321 million) increased in the regular season, while player expenses decreased by $12 million.
Almost everything increased for the Pistons year-over-year, including their win-to-player cost ratio, operating income and revenue, among others.
How much do the Pistons make off each fan?
The Pistons make around $31 for each fan who attends a game, when local revenue is divided by metro population. (Populations with two teams in the market is divided in half.)
Average ticket price for a Pistons game at Little Caesars Arena?
The average ticket price for a Pistons game, according to Forbes, is $50 for the 2025-26 season.
How much do the Pistons spend on players?
$134 million goes to player expenses, including benefits and bonuses, for this season.
Who is the Pistons owner?
Tom Gores, a Flint native who attended Michigan State, bought the franchise in 2011 for $325 million with his company Platinum Equity. He’s the sole owner of the Pistons. They have made the playoffs three times during his tenure: 2016, 2019 and 2025, going 2-12 in the postseason and failing to advance.
NBA valuation increased in 2024-25 season
According to Forbes, league-wide revenue last season was up 10% year-over-year, to roughly $12.5 billion, which includes money from non-NBA events held at teams’ arenas.
Additionally, a significant portion comes from the 11-year, $76 billion national media package the league signed in 2024 with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video, with an average payout of $4 billion more annually than any of the league’s previous agreements.
How much is each NBA team worth, according to Forbes?Golden State Warriors, $11 billionLos Angeles Lakers, $10 billionNew York Knicks, $9.75 billionLos Angeles Clippers, $7.5 billionBoston Celtics, $6.7 billionChicago Bulls, $6 billionHouston Rockets, $5.9 billionMiami Heat, $5.7 billionBrooklyn Nets, $5.6 billionPhiladelphia 76ers, $5.45 billionPhoenix Suns, $5.425 billionToronto Raptors, $5.4 billionDallas Mavericks, $5.1 billionAtlanta Hawks, $5 billionCleveland Cavaliers, $4.8 billionWashington Wizards, $4.7 billionDenver Nuggets, $4.6 billionSacramento Kings, $4.45 billionSan Antonio Spurs, $4.4 billionOklahoma City Thunder, $4.35 billionMilwaukee Bucks, $4.3 billionPortland Trail Blazers, $4.25 billionIndiana Pacers, $4.2 billionUtah Jazz, $4.1 billionOrlando Magic, $3.9 billionCharlotte Hornets, $3.8 billionDetroit Pistons, $3.65 billionMinnesota Timberwolves, $3.6 billionNew Orleans Pelicans, $3.55 billionMemphis Grizzlies, $3.5 billion
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.