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The most valuable teams

Sports teams are just as much about making money as they are about winning trophies, but luckily the two endeavours often go hand-in-hand. We’re all used to seeing teams ranked according to their sporting performance, but which franchises are the most valuable? Let’s find out…

1 Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have been impressing NFL fans since 1960 and have won the Super Bowl five times. The team was purchased for $150 million by Jerry Jones in 1989, and it turned out to be a pretty good investment, because the Cowboys are now worth an eye-watering $5.5 billion.

2 New York Yankees

The New York Yankees were founded in 1901. Winners of 27 World Series titles, 50 American League pennants and 19 American League East Division titles, this franchise is worth $5 billion.

3 New York Knicks

Based in Manhattan, the New York Knicks were founded in 1946 and were one of the teams that played a role in the formation of the NBA league just a couple of years later. Now approaching their 75th birthday, the New York Knicks are worth $4.6 billion.

4 Los Angeles Lakers

Winners of 16 NBA Championship titles, 32 Conference titles and 23 Division titles, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful teams in the league and have a current value of around $4.4 billion.

5 Golden State Warriors

Founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, this NBA team relocated to San Francisco in 1962, and have been known as the Golden State Warriors since 1971. Purchased for £450 million in 2010, the Warriors are now worth $4.3 billion.

6 Real Madrid

Real Madrid is not only one of Spain’s most famous soccer teams, but it is also one of the best known in the world. Named FIFA Club of the 20th Century in 2000, Real Madrid has an estimated value of $4.24 billion.

7 New England Patriots

Founded in 1959 and purchased by billionaire businessman Robert Kraft in 1994, the New England Patriots are a hugely successful NFL team. The Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships and are worth $4.1 billion.

8 Barcelona

This world-famous Spanish soccer team was founded in 1899. With 17 European titles and countless others to its credit, it is no surprise that this team is worth a hefty $4.02 billion.

9 New York Giants

The New York Giants are one of the best-loved NFL teams in the country and have won the Super Bowl four times since their formation in 1925. Owned by John Mara and Steven Tisch, the Giants are worth $3.9 billion.

10 Manchester United

Perhaps the most famous English soccer club in the world, Manchester United was formed in 1878. Purchased by the Glazer family for $1.4 billion, it has a current value of around $3.81 billion.

11 Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams NFL team was formed as the Cleveland Rams in 1936 but moved to the City of Angels a decade later. They relocated again and played as the St. Louis Rams from 1995 to 2015, but returned to California again in 2016. The Rams are worth $3.8 billion.

12 San Francisco 49ers

Based in Santa Clara, California, the San Francisco 49ers were founded in 1944. This NFL team has won five Super Bowl titles and is worth $3.5 billion.

13 Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were formed in 1920, and the team was a founding member of the NFL in that same year. Owned by the McCaskey family from the beginning, this franchise has a value of $3.45 billion.

14= (Tie) Los Angeles Dodgers

With a current value of $3.4 billion, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team that was formed in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York, as the Brooklyn Grays. The team moved to Los Angeles in 1958.

14= (Tie) Washington Football Team

Formerly known as the Washington Redskins, this NFL team was rebranded as the Washington Football Team in 2020 and has a current value of $3.4 billion.

16 Boston Red Sox

This beloved Major League Baseball team was founded in 1901 and has won the World Series nine times. The Red Sox are worth $3.3 billion.

17= (Tie) Chicago Bulls

NBA team the Chicago Bulls were the first to win 70 games or more in a single season. If you wanted to buy them, you’d need $3.2 billion.

17= (Tie) Chicago Cubs

Founded in 1876 and purchased for $700 million by the Ricketts family in 2009, the Chicago Cubs have a current value of $3.2 billion.

17= (Tie) New York Jets

The New York Jets are worth around $3.2 billion and play their NFL home games at the MetLife Stadium, which they share with the New York Giants.

20 Boston Celtics / Houston Texans / San Francisco Giants

Three franchises share 20th place in the value rankings with a value of $3.1 billion each. Those are the Boston Celtics in the NBA, the Houston Texans in the NFL and the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team.