Mike-Ilitch-Marian-Ilitch

Owners Mike and Marian Ilitch paid $8 million in 1982 for the Red Wings, who are worth $570 million this year according to Forbes Magazine.

(AP File Photo)

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings are the ninth-most valuable franchise in the National Hockey League, according to a story by Forbes Magazine.

Forbes puts the value of the Red Wings at $570 million. That's up $100 million since last year, when Forbes also ranked the Red Wings No. 9 among the 30 NHL teams.

Two years ago, the Red Wings were ranked sixth with a value of $346 million.

The Red Wings had $134 million in revenue last season with operating income of $15.2 million, according to Forbes, which defines operating income as "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization."

Owners Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Red Wings in 1982 for $8 million.

Forbes reported that 29 of the 30 NHL clubs went up in value - only the Florida Panthers went are worth less than a year ago - and that the average value of a franchise is $490 million. That's an increase of 18.6 percent since last season.

According to Forbes, the NHL had revenue of $3.7 billion last season, the first full campaign under the new collective bargaining agreement. That was an increase of 9.7 percent.

Forbes reported operating income increased 82 percent to $453 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were once again atop the list with a value of $1.3 billion followed by the New York Rangers ($1.1 billion) and Montreal Canadiens ($1 billion). Forbes says that's the first time three NHL clubs all topped the $1 billion barrier.

Rounding out the top 10 are the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, the Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Florida was last on the list with a value of $190 million.

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