most valuable sports teams

Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The top 10 most valuable sports teams in the world right now

We list the ten most valuable sports teams in the world right now according to the latest data available from Forbes.

most valuable sports teams

Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

America’s major sporting leagues dominate Forbes latest list of the most valuable sports teams in the world.

Every one of the sports teams that cracked the top ten are sporting brands in their own right and prospective owners can expect to fork out $4 billion or more to pry them away from their current owners.

Three of the teams are now worth more than $5 billion.

Manchester United have slipped out of the top ten with a Bundesliga giant taking their place.

The 10 most valuable sports teams

Three European football teams make the top 10 with Manchester United joining Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona among the most valuable sports teams in the world, though it seems unlikely the Glazers would sell the club any time soon.

Despite the global economic slowdown there is apparently still high demand for sports teams and a handful of billionaires out there keen on getting hold of their own franchise.

“There is no lack of multi-billionaires that want to get into the sports business right now,” said Sal Galatioto, whose investment firm has handled team transactions for MLB baseball outfit the Chicago Cubs as well as NBA teams the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers among other marquee sports properties. 

“People will pay a premium. They buy these teams not just on the numbers, but on the brand value.”

Forbes

Forbes’ top 10 most valuable sports teams

10 Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)

Current Value: $4.21 billion

Owner: club members

Year Purchased: not applicable

Price Paid: not applicable

9 New York Giants (National Football League)

Current Value: $4.3 billion

Owner: John Mara, Steven Tisch

Year Purchased: 1925, 1991

Price Paid: $500, $150 million

8. New England Patriots (NFL)

Value: $4.4 billion

Owner: Robert Kraft

Year Purchased: 1994

Price Paid: $172 million

7 Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Current Value: $4.6 billion

Owner: Jerry Buss Family Trusts, Philip Anschutz

Year Purchased: 1979, 1998

Price Paid: $20 million, $268 million

6 Golden State Warriors (NBA)

most valuable sports teams
Most valuable sports teams: Stephen Curry. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Current Value: $4.7 billion

Owner: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber

Year Purchased: 2010

Price Paid: $450 million

5 Real Madrid (La Liga)

Current Value: $4.75 billion

Owner: club members

Year Purchased: not applicable

4 Barcelona (La Liga)

Value: $4.76 billion

Owner: club members

Year Purchased: not applicable

Price Paid: not applicable

3 New York Knicks (NBA)

Current Value: $5 billion

Owner: Madison Square Garden Company

Year Purchased: 1997

Price Paid: $300 million

2 New York Yankees (MLB)

Current Value: $5.25 billion

Owner: Steinbrenner family

Year Purchased: 1973

Price Paid: $8.8 million

1 Dallas Cowboys (NFL)

most valuable sports teams
Most Valuable Sports Teams: Michael Gallup #13, Dak Prescott #4, and Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Current Value: $5.7 billion

Owner: Jerry Jones

Year Purchased: 1989

Price Paid: $150 million