Global sports have set a new financial record. The combined value of the 50 most expensive sports clubs on the planet has risen to $353 billion, reaching a historic high. In the ranking, published by Forbes, teams from American professional leagues dominate, while European football giants are far out of the top ten.
Global ranking of the most expensive clubs: American domination
According to Forbes, the average value of a club in the top 50 is $7.1 billion. This is 22% higher than last year and more than twice the figures from four years ago. For the ninth year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys remain the most valuable sports franchise in the world. The NFL club is valued at $13 billion, with annual revenues exceeding $1.2 billion.
After surpassing the 'threshold' of $10 billion, the elite club also includes:
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Golden State Warriors — $11 billion
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Los Angeles Rams — $10.5 billion
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New York Giants — $10.1 billion
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Los Angeles Lakers — $10 billion.
Nearby this threshold are also the New York Knicks, valued at $9.75 billion.
Global ranking of the most expensive clubs: where is football and Europe
Experts cite the explosive increase in broadcasting revenue as the key driver behind the rapid rise in club valuations. The NBA has signed 11-year contracts worth $76 billion, while the NFL is guaranteed to receive at least $125.5 billion in media revenues by 2033. Over the past decade, NBA clubs' average revenues have increased by 141%, and the NFL's by 91%.
American football remains the absolute dominator of the ranking: 30 out of 32 NFL clubs are in the top 50. In comparison, European football is represented by only four teams. The highest rated among them is Real Madrid, which, valued at $6.75 billion, ranks only 20th. Also on the list are Manchester United, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
After a hiatus, Formula 1 teams Ferrari and Mercedes have also returned to the ranking, each valued at at least $6 billion.
Top 20 most expensive sports clubs in the world
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Dallas Cowboys — $13 billion
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Golden State Warriors — $11 billion
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Los Angeles Rams — $10.5 billion
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New York Giants — $10.1 billion
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Los Angeles Lakers — $10 billion
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New York Knicks — $9.75 billion
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New England Patriots — $9 billion
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San Francisco 49ers — $8.6 billion
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Philadelphia Eagles — $8.3 billion
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Chicago Bears — $8.2 billion
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New York Yankees — $8.2 billion
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New York Jets — $8.1 billion
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Las Vegas Raiders — $7.7 billion
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Washington Commanders — $7.6 billion
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Los Angeles Clippers — $7.5 billion
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Miami Dolphins — $7.5 billion
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Houston Texans — $7.4 billion
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Denver Broncos — $6.8 billion
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Los Angeles Dodgers — $6.8 billion
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Real Madrid — $6.75 billion.
Experts conclude that the current pace of growth in the value of sports clubs is shaping a new financial era, in which the valuations from a decade ago already seem outdated.
As a reminder, Anatoliy Trubin has entered the top 10 most expensive goalkeepers in the world.