Dallas Cowboys retain top spot on Forbes’ most valuable sports team list
July 13, 2017
NFL side the Dallas Cowboys have retained their golden position as the world’s most valuable sports team, according to Forbes Magazine’s annual list.
The Cowboys’ value rose by 5% to $4.2bn (£3.26bn) soaring over the New York Yankees from Major League Baseball, who were valued at $3.7bn (£2.87bn), putting them second in the table.
Manchester United managed to grab the third spot with a value of $3.69bn (£2.86bn), which was enough to remain within the top three after their top spot rankings in 2011 and 2012.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid were the only other football teams to be included in the top 10.
The Los Angeles Rams (NFL) also moved up in the rankings as they climbed from outside of the top 50 to the lofty heights of 12th place, having relocated from St Louis last year.
Kurt Badenhausen, senior editor at Forbes Media, believes that relocation plays a significant part in adding value to teams in the modern era: “Relocations and new stadiums are fuelling big increases in the value of NFL teams.”
NFL teams make up 29 of the top-50 list of the most valuable teams, with only three teams not included (Cincinnati Bengals, the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions).
No ice hockey, Nascar or Formula One team edged their way onto the list.
Forbes’ top 10 most valuable teams
1) Dallas Cowboys $4.2bn ($3.26bn) – American football
2) New York Yankees $3.7bn (£2.87bn) – baseball
3) Manchester United $3.69bn (£2.86bn) – football
4) Barcelona $3.64bn (£2.82bn) – football
5) Real Madrid $3.58bn (£2.78bn) – football
6) New England Patriots $3.4bn (£2.64bn) – American football
7) New York Knicks $3.3bn (£2.56bn) – basketball
8) New York Giants $3.1bn (£2.4bn) – American football
9) San Francisco 49ers $3bn (£2.33bn) – American football
10) Los Angeles Lakers $3bn (£2.33bn) – basketball
