1946. That’s when it all began. The team we now know as the Golden State Warriors first stepped onto the court as the Philadelphia Warriors. They wasted no time making history. Winning the league’s first-ever championship in 1947. By 1959, they had signed Wilt Chamberlain to a rookie contract worth about $30,000, then the highest salary in the league, only for him to go on and score a historic 100-point game in 1962. But greatness on paper didn’t pay the bills for the team.

Struggles with consistency and finances forced the franchise to pack up and head west. In 1962, the team was sold for around $875,000 and relocated to San Francisco, then becoming the San Francisco Warriors. But a miracle title in 1975, their NBA championship offered a taste of glory. But what next? Decades of misfires, bad drafts, forgettable seasons, and a brutal 11-year playoff drought. But it wasn’t until the underdog “We Believe” team of 2007 that they earned back some respect. Now it’s the 2025 season. And while the Warriors aren’t the unstoppable dynasty of the Steph-KD era, they’re far from forgotten.

They went 48-34, made it to the second round, and added Jimmy Butler to support Stephen Curry, now 36. But the cracks are visible. Jonathan Kuminga is holding out for a major contract, Kevon Looney has moved on, and salary cap flexibility is stretched thin. To make matters worse, the Golden State Warriors last won the NBA Championship in 2022, and three years have passed since then. So, how do the Warriors still manage to make more money than nearly anyone else in pro sports?

 Breakdown of Golden State Warriors’ diverse revenue streams

The Golden State Warriors remain one of the most financially dominant teams in professional sports. In the 2023-24 season, they generated an estimated $800 million in revenue, the highest in the NBA, with an operating income of $142 million. Notably, their strong financial performance comes from multiple revenue sources:

• Securing over $200 million from top-tier sponsors

• The Warriors made $370M in 2024 from non-NBA events, up 131% in two years.

• Ticket Sales $120-$150 million annually.

Even beyond the court, the Golden State Warriors generate approx $10 million annually from digital channels, including their mobile app, esports programs, social media partnerships, and NFT sales. Notably, their first NFT drop (featuring championship rings and ticket stubs) alone generated over $2 million in sales, and that set the record for the highest-ever sports NFT sale at $871,000. Even broadcast and media rights alone bring in an estimated $120-$140 million, due to national deals (ESPN, TNT), local Bay Area networks, and streaming platforms.

Beyond digital, the Thrive City development surrounding Chase Center contributes significant, stable revenue. This 11-acre mixed-use district is fully leased, Uber occupies 600,000 sq. ft. of office space, and the 100,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant areas are fully committed. Since its opening, the development has generated over $4.2 billion in local economic impact, with non-Warriors event-related revenue at Chase Center increasing from $160 million in 2022 to $370 million in 2024, which is a 131% rise.

NBA franchise revenues by season (2018–2024):

So, which top-tier sponsors contribute to the Golden State Warriors’ $200 million in annual revenue?

1. Rakuten: Jersey patch sponsor since 2017, paying approximately $20 million per year
2.  Chase (JPMorgan Chase): Holds naming rights to Chase Center under a reported $300 million over a 20-year deal (approx. $15M/year) signed in 2016–17
3.  Other Tech & Corporate Partners: Includes Google Cloud, Oracle, Adobe, Fanatics, DoorDash, Biofreeze, Clorox, Betway, and Williams-Sonoma

Top Merchandise & Apparel Brands Powering Warriors Revenue

• Fanatics, Inc.

• Nike & Jordan Brand

• Curry Brand (Under Armour)

• Mitchell & Ness

• NBAStore / Official Licensed Products

Warriors 2024–25 revenue split with smart strategy

But how do other NBA teams compare in terms of revenue? Here’s a look at the financial performance of teams in 2024:

So yes, the big-market teams like the Golden State Warriors, Knicks, and Lakers already have an edge with massive fanbases, high ticket demand, and big-name sponsors. But the real game-changer? Owning the arena. That’s where the money really flows. So next time you’re vibing at a Taylor Swift concert or a sold-out comedy show, remember: the team that owns the venue isn’t just watching, they’re making bank behind the scenes