Owning a pro sports franchise is an experience that, for all intents and purposes, about 99.99 percent of us will never know about. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the best jobs in the world. Sure, there’s pressure to build a winning culture to help attract both players and fans, but seeing how much some of the top organizations are worth, it might be worth the headaches. Want to see who tops the list? Keep reading to find out.
Photo via Flickr/ryusha
20. San Francisco 49ers – $1.22 billion
Following the opening of their new, Levi’s Stadium prior to the 2014 season, the San Francisco 49ers had hoped they would be in position to make a serious run towards their fourth-straight NFC title game. Unfortunately, the team battled injuries and turmoil, leading to the firing of head coach Jim Harbaugh. Still, with big-name players on both sides of the ball, history and a naming deal with Levi’s that will generate $220 million over 20 years, the Niners are in a prime spot to make solid revenue both in the short and long term.
Photo via YouTube
19. Baltimore Ravens – $1.22 billion
After winning a Super Bowl a couple of seasons ago, the Baltimore Ravens inked quarterback Joe Flacco to a huge deal that made him one of the highest-paid signal-callers in the game. While the decision was questioned by a few pundits, there’s no denying Flacco’s value to the franchise, helping fans support a player who will be there for years to come. With great success on the gridiron and a steady front-office over the years, the Ravens should continue to make great money in the coming years.
Photo via YouTube
18. Chicago Bears – $1.25 billion
Although they play in the smallest stadium in the NFL and have struggled to win consistently over the past several years, the Chicago Bears ha been able to earn a lot of money to help maintain a value of $1.25 billion. With a new GM and head coach set to take over in 2015, the team and its fans are hopeful that, as the revenue keeps coming in, the wins pile up, too. Time will tell, but there’s no denying the popularity of the organization thanks to great history and the market they play in.
Photo via YouTube
17. Philadelphia Eagles – $1.31 billion
After wrapping up a two-year renovation on their stadium worth $125 million, the Philadelphia Eagles now have even more state-of-the-art features for their fans to enjoy at home games. And, because of the high-octane, exciting offense that head coach Chip Kelly has incorporated since taking over the team before the 2013 season, the Eagles have been the talk of the league over that span, helping them attract a lot of attention that has helped boost revenue.
Photo via YouTube
16. Arsenal – $1.33 billion
Inking a deal that will see them earn $50 million over the next five seasons to be outfitted in Puma—the second-highest uniform deal in sports history—English soccer club Arsenal is a revenue magnet, helping them gain a valuation of $1.33 billion. The club is trying to stay as relevant with other traditional powers in England like Manchester United and Liverpool, so the uniform deal will certainly help do that.
Photo via Flickr/stuart_photoafc
15. Los Angeles Lakers – $1.35 billion
Los Angeles is all about flash and bright lights, so it’s not surprising to see the Lakes sitting No. 15 on this list. Valued at $1.35 billion, the team has struggled on the court the past few seasons, but, as long as they have Kobe Bryant still suiting up for them, they will remain in the media spotlight. Thanks to a 20-year TV deal with Time Warner worth $3.6 billion that began in 2012-13, the team has solidified revenue that other clubs could only hope for.
Photo via YouTube
14. New York Jets – $1.38 billion
Even with a poor 2014 season, the New York Jets have maintained their standing as one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports. Playing in a fairly new stadium that opened in the past few years, the Jets might not be contending for Super Bowls and are, currently, looking for a new head coach and GM, but they have history and play in the largest market on the planet, helping them stay both relevant and very profitable.
Photo via Flickr/ghostoffire
13. New York Knicks – $1.4 billion
One of the most-recognizable NBA franchises ever, the New York Knicks might be struggling on the basketball court, but they aren’t doing so badly when it comes to revenue. Thanks to a $1 billion renovation to Madison Square Garden, Knicks fans will continue to show up and watch this team play night after night, with the squad getting an average of 163,000 viewers for each of their home games—which was still a 29 percent hit. Things in New York are done differently, and the Knicks prove that.
Photo via Flickr/keithallison
12. Houston Texans – $1.45 billion
One of the more surprising franchises that’s on this list, the Houston Texans have made a lot of smart business moves since breaking into the league back in 2002. Building around stud defender J.J. Watt has helped the Texans stay relevant with football fans, while also hoping that No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney can develop into a star, too. With a value of $1.45 billion, it will be interesting to see how the Texans continue to rise in these rankings.
Photo via YouTube
11. Boston Red Sox – $1.5 billion
Even before the Boston Red Sox captured their third World Series title in nine seasons back in 2013, the intrigue around the franchise had grown tremendously. With both local and national TV ratings skyrocketing for the former, lovable losers, the Red Sox have seen their franchise value increase to $1.5 billion. With a devoted fanbase, success and rich history, the Red Sox should only continue to climb these rankings in coming years.
Photo via Flickr/keithallison
10. New York Giants – $1.55 billion
With more than 80,000 fans packing their stadium during the 2013 season—a feat only matched by the Dallas Cowboys—the New York Giants have shown to earn tremendous support for a fanbase that has seen great success. With two Super Bowl wins in the past six seasons, the G-Men have shown to be a steady team, even when they have down years as they did in 2014.
Photo via Flickr/jrzykat
9. Washington Redskins – $1.7 billion
Even with all of the rallying cries for the team to change their name, the Washington Redskins have maintained to turn serious profits ever since owner Daniel Snyder took over the team in 1999. While the club hasn’t had great success in that time and has overpaid for various free agents, playing in the nation’s capital and having great history has helped the Skins fall as high as they do on this list.
Photo via YouTube
8. New England Patriots – $1.8 billion
One of the model franchises in all of sports, the New England Patriots have shown that success can come both on and off the football field. With three Super Bowl titles in five trips to the Big Game since quarterback Tom Brady took over in 2000, New England continues to win a lot of games each year, meaning their stadium is packed each weekend, as they’ve sold out every home game since 1994—even though their ticket prices are second-highest amongst NFL teams.
Photo via YouTube
7. Bayern Munich – $1.85 billion
After winning the Champions League in 2013, German club soccer team Bayern Munich saw their popularity grow immensely, leaving them with a lot of new fans and, more importantly, a lot more revenue. Valued at $1.85 billion, Bayern Munich has become the top club team in the soccer-crazed country of Germany, routinely signing top talent to help maintain its presence in Europe in quests for various titles.
Photo via Flickr/Hans Stolz
6. Los Angeles Dodgers – $2 billion
With an approved TV deal with Time Warner Cable that is for $8.35 billion over 25 years, the L.A. Dodgers have shown to know how to make more than just a few bucks in their time. As the MLB team with the highest-payroll in 2014, the team may have missed out on winning a World Series, but they didn’t disappoint in intrigue, finishing as NL West champs and having the NL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, Clayton Kershaw, as the face of their franchise.
Photo via Flickr/kioko
5. Dallas Cowboys – $2.3 billion
The Dallas Cowboys might be searching for their first Super Bowl since 1996, but that hasn’t prevented them from earning a lot of money over the years. Led my Jerry Jones in nearly all business ventures, Dallas has a value of $2.3 billion, with a lot of that money coming from a 25-year naming rights deal with AT&T that will generate about $500 million for the franchise over the lifetime of the contract. With the first college football playoff title game being held in the stadium, it’s only another chance for the club to make money through other avenues.
Photo via YouTube
4. New York Yankees – $2.5 billion
The preemptive franchise in professional sports in the United States, the New York Yankees have shown time and time again that they do things differently from other sports teams in the States. With deep pockets and 27 World Series titles, the Yanks have a brand that is unmatched by others. And, thanks to their deal with the YES Network, the team sees near-unlimited revenue each year.
Photo via Flickr/keithallison
3. Manchester United – $2.81 billion
Regardless of your personal opinion of Manchester United—many think they are the New York Yankees of European soccer—the club knows how to build and maintain a strong brand presence. Thanks to a new sponsorship deal that ManU signed with Adidas that begins in 2015, the club will be outfitted in the three-striped brand for the next 10 years, bringing in $1.3 billion in that time from the athletic company. Yes, that’s the richest uniform deal in sports history.
Photo via Flickr/ryusha
2. Barcelona – $3.2 billion
With a renovation of its stadium coming soon and star-power at a lot of different positions, Barcelona FC has put itself amongst the best-run sports teams in the world. With an increase in attendance coming from additional seats and success on the pitch being, historically, consistent, Barca should find itself high on this list for years to come.
Photo via YouTube
1. Real Madrid – $3.44 billion
Not only does Spanish soccer club Real Madrid have, arguably, the most popular soccer star on the planet—Cristiano Ronaldo—but the team has been pretty good, too. With four-straight trips to the Champions League semifinals, Real Madrid has shown to be one of the most consistent winners in all of sports—which is why they bring in so much revenue each year.
Photo via Flickr/ryusha
