In 2005, Gilbert acquired the Cavaliers for 2.7 billion yuan. How much is it worth selling now?

In 2005, Gilbert acquired the Cavaliers for US$375 million (about RMB 2.71 billion), which was a low level in the league at that time. After all, Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are located, is a small city with a population of only more than 300,000, and the team's commercial value and market attractiveness are relatively limited. Compared with international metropolis such as Los Angeles and New York, it is no exaggeration to describe Cleveland as "remote land". However, the Cavaliers' market value has experienced many ups and downs under Gilbert's operations. After Gilbert acquired the Cavaliers, he immediately invested money to make various changes to the team. He spent $27 million to renovate the venue and set up a new training hall for the team. These measures have improved the team's training conditions and playing environment, and have laid the foundation for the team's future development.

Of course, it is the superstar James who really gained attention. In 2003, the Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 pick, and the joining of this talented player quickly increased the popularity and commercial value of the Cavaliers. During James's time with the Cavaliers, the team's influence continued to expand, and the Cavaliers gradually became a strong team in the Eastern Conference.

Under the leadership of James, the Cavaliers reached the Finals for the first time in 2007, and achieved 60 consecutive victories in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. During this period, the Cavaliers' market value also rose sharply, becoming one of the fastest-growing teams in the league.

However, the good times did not last long. In 2010, James announced his departure from the Cavaliers to join the Heat, a decision that dealt a heavy blow to the Cavaliers. The team's market value fell rapidly, and its influence also decreased significantly. The Cavaliers performed poorly in the following seasons and even became the bottom team in the league for a time.

In 2014, James returned to the Cavaliers, and this incident once again brought a turning point for the Cavaliers. James' return not only improved the team's competitive level, but also rekindled the enthusiasm of fans, and the Cavaliers' market value began to gradually recover. In 2016, the Cavaliers won the first championship trophy in team history under the leadership of James and Irving, which further enhanced the team's commercial value.

time has changed, James left the Cavaliers again in 2018 to join the Lakers, and the team has recovered again after a period of silence. The rapid growth of Garland and Mobley and the trade of powerful players such as Mitchell and Allen have allowed the Cavaliers to achieve an impressive record of 64 wins and 18 losses this season, ranking first in the Eastern Conference.

At the same time, the commercialization of the NBA has also made rapid progress in the past few years, and this year it has signed a broadcast contract worth US$76 billion with several broadcasters. This series of operations has made the market value of each team rise, and the Cavaliers are no exception.

According to Forbes, the Cavaliers' market value was US$3.95 billion in the 2024-25 season, an increase of US$600 million compared to last season. If Gilbert chooses to sell the team, the final transaction price could exceed $4 billion. Compared with the acquisition price twenty years ago, Gilbert increased the market value of the Cavaliers, a small ball market, by more than ten times, which is admirable for his operational ideas and development vision.