We all know that sports is big money thanks to its multimillion dollar TV and endorsement deals, but did you know how much of a booming industry some of it really is? If not, keep reading and see why some of the biggest brands in sports are worth quite the fortune.
5. Under Armour – $3.7 billion
Founded in 1996, it’s a little surprising to see Under Armour crack the top-five richest sports brands to me, but low and behold, here they sit. Famous for their sweat-wicking material, the company got a major boost by being featured in the movies Any Given Sunday and The Replacements, as well as landing Tom Brady among its key endorsers.
4. Sky Sports – $4.1 billion
The equivalent of ESPN in Britian, the sports television channel has expanded into more of the mainstream in recent years, featuring a Sportscenter-like show on the sports that most Brits care about like soccer, rugby, cricket and golf. The company also features multiple premium channels for viewers to pay for, generating more revenue for Sky.
3. Adidas – $7.1 billion
Best-known from its dominance on the soccer pitch for so long, the German company Adidas has expanded into other sports in recent years, finding themselves operating other brands like Reebok and TaylorMade. Some of the company’s most famous endorsers include the likes of David Beckham, Derrick Rose and Robert Griffin III—which are all pretty good spokespeople to have on-board.
2. ESPN – $15 billion
They don’t call themselves the “worldwide leader” for nothing. That’s evident by the fact that the Bristol, Ct.-based ESPN brings in a hefty lump of cash each year, with an estimated worth of about $15 billion. With programming that features live events, highlight shows, talk shows, documentaries and radio shows, as well as subscription-based content, ESPN is a powerhouse in sports coverage.
1. Nike – $17.3 billion
While ESPN is the leader in sports media, Nike is the hands-down conglomerate in sports style, carrying a net worth of over $17 billion. On top of plucking A-list athletes and celebs as their endorsers, Nike was the pioneer in outfitting various sports teams in different sports, and has been the official outfitter of the NFL since 2013.
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