Real Madrid world’s most valuable team – Forbes

Wednesday, 17 July 2013 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Real Madrid headed a trio of European soccer clubs at the top of a list of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams released by Forbes on Monday which was dominated by National Football League (NFL) franchises. The nine-times European champions were worth US$ 3.3 billion, up from US$ 1.88 billion last year, due in large part to increased revenue from deals with Adidas and Emirates Airlines, Forbes said in a statement.

Manchester United (3.17 billion) swapped places with Real and sit in second spot while Spanish soccer champions Barcelona (2.6 billion) moved up five places to third. Major League Baseball’s (MLB) New York Yankees fell one spot to fourth, followed by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Rounding out the top 10 were MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, the NFL’s Washington Redskins and New York Giants, and London-based soccer club Arsenal. With 30 teams in the top 50, the NFL occupies 60% of this year’s list. The average value of the top 50 teams is US$ 1.24 billion, which is a 16% increase from last year. The 20 non-NFL teams in the top 50 are comprised of seven each from MLB and soccer, three from the National Basketball Association, two from motor racing and one from the National Hockey League. 1: Real Madrid Value: US$ 3.3 billion Owner: Club members Los Merengues finished runner-up this year in La Liga and the Copa del Ray, but nab the title of the world’s most valuable sports team thanks to the highest revenues in sports (US$ 650 million during the 2011-12 season). Real inked new deals with Adidas and Emirates Airlines over the last 12 months that will bring in roughly US$ 80 million combined annually. 2: Manchester United Value: US$ 3.165 billion Owner: Glazer family Manager Alex Ferguson retired this year after leading United to its record 20th league title. Sir Alex was at the helm for 27 years and helped create one of the most valuable brands in sports. The team’s record shirt sponsorship deal with General Motors for the automaker’s Chevrolet brand kicks off in 2014-15 and is worth US$ 559 million over seven years. 3: Barcelona Value: US$ 2.6 billion Owner: Club members Barca added 21-year-old Brazilian star Neymar (above) in June in a transfer deal worth US$ 74 million. Barcelona’s jersey sponsorship deal with Qatar Sports Investments is worth an average of US$ 38 million a year through the 2015-16 season. 4: New York Yankees Value: US$ 2.3 billion Owner: Steinbrenner Family The Yankees sold part of their interest in the YES Network in connection with Fox’s purchase of 49% of the regional sport network in late 2012. The team’s rights fee from YES will increase from US$ 85 million this season to US$ 350 million in 2042 as part of the deal. 5: Dallas Cowboys Value: US$ 2.1 billion Owner: Jerry Jones The Cowboys have been the NFL’s most valuable team since 2007 thanks to the league’s highest sponsorship and premium seating revenues--a combined US$ 200 million. The ‘Boys inked QB Tony Romo to a six-year, US$ 108 million contract extension in March despite only one playoff win during his eight years under centre.