The Most Valuable Sports Teams In The World Are Worth Every Penny
Have you ever wondered what your favorite sports franchise would be worth if the owner put it up for sale? The estimated cost of franchises these days is astounding! For instance, the Cleveland Browns, valued at $1.95 billion, are the 50th most valuable franchise in the world. The most valuable team is the Dallas Cowboys, but we won't spoil how much Jerry Jones could make by selling them yet. Keep reading to see just how much the most valuable sports franchises are worth!
Everything Is Bigger For The Houston Texans
The Houston Texans come up right away on this list, worth an estimated $2.8 billion. Making their debut in the NFL in 2002, a string of strong seasons under head coach Bill O'Brien has leapfrogged Houston over other more historic franchises.
Now, with DeSean Watson under center as the franchise quarterback, the sky is the limit for the team. In his first fully healthy season, Watson led the team to an 11-5 record and a division championship. Could a Super Bowl appearance be next?
You'd Think The Boston Red Sox Would Be Worth More
The Boston Red Sox are one of Major League Baseball's most storied franchises. Established in 1910, the team that famously traded away Babe Ruth and didn't win a World Series for over 100 years is worth $2.8 billion.
While there's no denying the franchise went through a long rough patch, their popularity in Massachusetts has never wavered. Fan fill the stadium every season, showing off their Boston pride. If you thought the Patriots were New England's most popular team, we have some bad news for you.
Da Bears Will Cost You $2.85 Billion
Like the Houston Texans, the Chicago Bears are a team on the rise. After winning one Super Bowl in the '80s, the team never found the magic to win the big game again until recently. Rex Grossman tried his best, but couldn't get over the hump.
With Mitchell Trubisky under center, the future for the Bears is secure. In his second season, the quarterback led the team to the playoffs. As long as he stays healthy and keeps winning, the $2.85 billion valuation should continue to rise.
The San Francisco Giants Are Big Business For The City By The Bay
Since 1958, the San Francisco Giants have called the Bay Area their home. Now, after winning three World Series Championships since 2010, they are also one of one the most valuable franchises in the world.
In total, the Giants are estimated to be worth $2.85 billion, putting them in the same arena as the Chicago Bears. Controversies with ownership could see their value begin to slip, though, especially as they rebuild their core with younger players.
The Chicago Cubs Aren't Cursed Anymore
It may have taken over 100 years, but in 2016, the Chicago Cubs finally lifted the "Curse of the Billy Goat" and won the World Series. Just two years later it was reported that the club was worth $2.9 billion.
In a few years, that number should be well over $3 billion. The Cubs are still young and the organization is making incredible upgrades to Wrigley Field every year. It also helps that they sport the fifth highest per-game attendance average in the league!
The Los Angeles Rams Are Stars In Hollywood
The Los Angeles Rams might have just returned to the Hollywood scene, but that hasn't stopped them from being worth $3 billion! The team, which played in St. Louis from 1994 until 2015, returned to the City of Angels on a mission.
In 2019, the Rams appeared in the Super Bowl, losing a heart breaker to the New England Patriots. We don't expect their spirits to stay down forever, though, not with their high-flying offense and hyper-intellectual head coach calling the plays!
The Los Angeles Dodgers Aren't Scared Of The Rams
If Los Angeles is a sports city, then the Dodgers are the prince of the land (we'll get to the king later). The team, which is worth $3 billion, has appeared in back-to-back World Series and has one of the best hitters in baseball (pictured).
The only thing stopping the Dodgers from being worth more money is that other team in Los Angeles, the Lakers. The city has always been a basketball town, even if the Dodgers and the Rams are the better teams today.
The San Francisco 49ers Are A Goldmine
Winning five Super Bowls while appearing in six will do a lot for a team's value. So will having a stadium in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. Take all those factors into account and it's no surprise that the San Francisco 49ers are worth an estimated $3.05 billion.
Of course, the 49ers are far from the most valuable sports franchise on this list. It might surprise you to know that they aren't even worth as much as the team they beat in 1981 with "the catch." That play started their winning dynasty, but do you remember who they beat?
Bayern Munich Is A Worldwide Phenomenon
In 2018, German soccer club Bayern Munich was valued at $3.1 billion. The team, which regularly plays in front of 75,000 fans, might not be as recognizable of a franchise in the United States, but worldwide they're a huge brand.
Consider this: in seven of the last ten seasons, Bayern Munich has finished in first place in their league. In 2013, they even won the Champions League Cup, the most coveted trophy in European soccer!
The Washington Redskins Are The Pride Of D.C.
The last time the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl was 1991. Over 20 years later, the District of Columbia is still in love with their team. Now with a young quarterback under center, hope has also returned for another Lombardi Trophy.
In 2018, Washington was valued at $3.1 billion. In 2019, they drafted Dwayne Haskins, who threw 50 touchdown passes in his final year in college. Those numbers put him in elite territory, and the team hopes his skillset will translate to the NFL.
The Golden State Warriors Are Golden For A Reason
It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Golden State Warriors are worth $3.1 billion. The team that was the joke of the NBA just a decade ago is currently dominating. With three championships and counting, and a new stadium in San Francisco, the outlook is "golden" for this NBA franchise.
The tides for the Warriors began to turn in 2010, when then-owner Chris Cohan sold the team to Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber for $450 million. Less than a decade later, the current owners could sell the team for more than six times that!
The New York Giants Aren't Going Away
The New York Giants might be in a losing funk, but financially the team continues to grow. In 2018, they were worth $3.3 billion, a six percent increase from the year before.
Fans might not be happy with the state of the franchise, but that's not stopping them from going to games and buying jerseys. Giants' ownership has heard the criticism, thankfully, and has begun planning for the future by taking Duke quarterback Daniel Jones in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers Have Bright Days Ahead
The Los Angeles Lakers are the most valuable sports franchise in the City of Angels. Worth an estimated $3.3 billion, the "Lakeshow" continues to pack the Staples Center with tens of thousands of fans a night.
Bringing LeBron James to town in 2018 showed the team's commitment to returning to excellence. One poor season with their new star won't stop ownership from staying the course, either. A new head coach should bring a fresh voice into the locker room as well, and send a message of urgency back to the players.
The New York Knicks Have Big Plans
The New York Knicks are one of the United States' most historic sports franchises. Perhaps this, more than any other reason, is why the team is worth a reported $3.6 billion. Playing in one of the country's largest media markets also doesn't hurt.
As for what the Knicks' big plans are, the team will be looking to establish a lineup of three all-stars in the coming years. It's the same blueprint the Golden State Warriors used, and the same blueprint other teams have successfully copied since.
The New England Patriots Are Stability In Motion
What is there left to say about the New England Patriots? They were the first team in the NFL to win six Super Bowls, and are led by a quarterback many consider to be the greatest of all time.
Thanks to the Patriots unprecedented winning stability, they are worth an estimated $3.7 billion. That number makes them the NFL's second most valuable franchise. The top honor goes to a different NFL team, although if New England keeps winning, they won't be the runner-up much longer.
The New Yankees Are The Most Valuable MLB Team
It should come as no surprise that at $4 billion, the New York Yankees are the most valuable MLB franchise. No team has been to or won more World Series, and the rest of the league isn't even close.
Since their inaugural season, the Yankees have won 27 World Series titles. The next closest team is the St. Louis Cardinals, who have 11 World Series titles to their name. The Bronx Bombers' biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox, come in third with nine World Series titles.
Barcelona Are The Reigning Champs
One year after being reported as worth $4.064 billion, Barcelona won the La Liga championship. The reigning champions of their league are recognized worldwide for the incredible talent they showcase on the field.
The current franchise player for Barcelona is Lionel Messi, who is not only one of the best La Liga players of all time, he is one of the best international players ever. Messi isn't the only star on Barcelona, though. Playing alongside him are Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.
Real Madrid Has Bragging Rights Over Barcelona
In 2018, Real Madrid finished two spots behind FC Barcelona for the cup title. According to Forbes, that ranking did not affect them financially. The publication estimated the Spanish soccer club to be worth $4.09 billion, just a bit more than Barcelona.
Leading the attack for Real Madrid are Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos. The team's stadium can hold a capacity of over 80,000 fans, making it one of the premiere venues to watch elite professional soccer live.
Manchester United Is Soccer Royalty
Coming up just behind the most valuable sports franchise in the world is Real Madrid. Like the Yankees, there is no English club more storied than Man. U. Year in and year out, the team is expected to compete for the Premiere League title, and they almost always deliver.
All that winning has been good for business, too. With an estimated worth of $4.123 billion, life is good for the ownership group of Manchester United. It's not too bad for the players either, the best of which are some of the highest paid athletes in the world.
The Dallas Cowboys Are More Than Just "America's Team"
According to Forbes, no sports franchise worldwide is worth more money than the Dallas Cowboys. The Jerry Jones-owned NFL giant is worth a cool $4.8 billion, a 14 percent increase from the year before.
Known in the United States as "America's Team," it might be time to change the moniker to the "World's Team." American football might not be the most popular sport around the world, but the Cowboys are clearly idolized from shore to shore, otherwise their nearly $5 billion valuation wouldn't make sense.
