The value of NFL franchises has plateaued this year to an increase of just two percent on average. The average value is $2.57 billion.

This is the smallest increase since 2010 during the Great Recession.

The main reason for the drop in valuation is the dearth of people with enough liquid wealth to buy 30 percent of an NFL franchise.

The NFL has the strictest ownership requirements among the four major U.S. leagues. In a team sale, the general partner must own at least 30%, and the maximum amount of debt at the team level is $350 million. 

During the past 20 years NFL team values have climbed almost nine-fold, or at an 11.6% annual rate, versus just 4.5% for the S&P 500.

Corporate ownership is also not allowed in the NFL.