Forbes: Cards 10th most valuable MLB team

Valued at $716 million, the St. Louis Cardinals is the 10th most valuable team in Major League Baseball, according to Forbes.

The Cards pulled in 2012 revenues of $239 million, with an operating income of $19.9 million. The New York Yankees topped the list for the 16th consecutive year with a team value of $2.3 billion, 2012 revenues of $471 million and an operating income last year of $1.4 million. With a value of $451 million, 2012 revenues of $167 million and operating income of $10 million, the Tampa Bay Rays bottomed out the list of the 30 MLB teams, according to the rankings list.

The Kansas City Royals ranked No. 29 on the list, valued at $457 million with $169 million in 2012 revenues and an operating income of $16.3 million.

The average team worth has jumped to $744 million, a 23 percent increase from a year ago and the largest increase since Forbes began tracking MLB finances in 1998

Average team revenues rose 7 percent to $227 million last year, though average operating incomes dropped 9 percent to $13.1 million due to higher player costs and stadium expenses, Forbes said.[[In-content Ad]]