Spanish soccer powerhouse, Real Madrid have topped the charts as the World’s Most Valuable Sports Team for their third successive year in Forbes’ annual countdown.
Edging out iconic American sports franchises, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, tied for second at US$3.2 billion, Real Madrid came in valued at US$3.26 billion.
In 2014, Real Madrid won its record 10th Champions League crown and had a revenue of US$746 million, which is the highest revenue in all sports recorded.
A great deal of this revenue is due to its broadcast revenue. Real Madrid benefits from creating their own deals in La Liga, instead of collective bargaining, which other European soccer leagues do, resulting in the highest broadcast revenue in sport at US$277 million.
Despite topping the list, it was a tough year for the team. Forbes’ reports the franchise is off 5% due to the decline of the euro against the dollar, failing to win the European competition or La Liga, and the ruling against the club’s stadium expansion by Madrid’s regional high court.
Real’s La Liga rivals Barcelona (US$3.6 billion) are fourth, Premier League club Manchester United (US$3.1 billion) drop from third to fifth, and the remaining top 10 are taken by American sports teams: NBA teams Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, NFL sides New England Patriots and Washington Redskins and MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Forbes the average current value of a team on the list is US$1.74 billion, which is the highest ever, and a 31% increase from last year.
MADRID, SPAIN: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team’s 5th and his third goal against Club Athletic during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 5, 2014 in Madrid, Spain.
Real Madrid at a glance:
- Owner/Controlling Shareholder: club members
- Country: Spain
- League: Liga BBVA
- Domestic League Championships: 32
- Revenue: $746 M (€550 M)
- Operating Income: $170 M (€125 M)
- Debt/Value: 4%
- Match Day: $608 M
- Broadcasting: $1,091 M
- Commercial: $1,100 M
