Some people think that the amount of money top-tier athletes are making nowadays is absurd. But if you take a look at the most valuable sports teams and how wealthy they are, it just makes sense to pay them that much.
The richest sports team just have tons of money to spare. Their value continues to grow on a yearly basis regardless of if they win a title or not, as it's their market value, their location, and their history what makes them stand out from the rest.
Regardless of the sport (soccer, baseball, basketball, or football), the most valuable sports teams in the world have some of the strongest fanbases. That's why they're so profitable and have that many sponsors chipping in.
And now that this year's Forbes sports teams ranking is finally up, we'll list the 15 wealthiest franchises. So stay tuned if you ever wondered which sports teams are the most valuable in the world.
15. Washington Football Team
Value: $3.4 Billion
The Washington Football Team has been far from a playoff team over the past couple of years. They're going through a rebuilding process and, finally, they decided to change their name following years of controversies.
The former Redskins will try and kick off their new name with their first playoffs berth since 2015. However, given the current status of the team and its roster, that's going to be easier said than done.
14. Los Angeles Dodgers
Value: $3.4 Billion
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the West Coast's most popular and wealthiest team and it's not even close. They're the team to beat out of the National League and enter this season even sharper and reinforced.
The Dodgers have made it to two World Series in the past 4 years and will look to finally put an end to their title drought this season. They'll continue to climb the 'richest sports teams' ladder in no time.
13. Chicago Bears
Value: $3.45 Billion
The Chicago Bears have one of the strongest, most loyal fanbases of all sports. The team is one of football's historically greats, even though they had some serious struggles to compete over the past decade.
Even so, the Bears' value actually went up 19% from 2019 to 2020. Perhaps the addition of Khalil Mack has something to do with them being the 13th most valuable sports franchise on the planet.
12. San Francisco 49ers
Value: $3.5 Billion
The San Francisco 49ers hold one of the winningest cultures in all sports. They've always been a synonym to winning and, considering they're Silicon Valley's team, it's kind of shocking that they aren't higher on this list.
The 49ers became one of the powerhouses of the NFC again this year thanks to Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, and their suffocating defense. They'll continue to grow from last year's success, both sports-wise and financially.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Value: $3.8 Billion
The Los Angeles Rams are having a tough time establishing their brand in Los Angeles again, as there haven't been that many fans attending their games in the Los Angeles Memoriam coliseum but hopefully, that'll change once they move to SoFi Stadium.
The Rams built a strong team around Jared Goff and look to compete for many more years to come. Their value went up 19% in one year to make them the 11th richest sports team in the world.
10. Manchester United
Value: $3.81 Billion
Manchester United was the most dominant team in the United Kingdom for over two decades. They haven't found that kind of success under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but they still make it to the top-10 of Forbes' list.
The Red Devils will look to invest some of that hard-earned money on reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window to go back to their old self. Luckily, they have plenty of cash to spare.
9. New York Giants
Value: $3.9 Billion
The New York Giants are a prime example of what it means to play in New York City. The team has struggled to compete for years, they're still one of the wealthiest sports team in the world. That's The Big Apple effect.
The Giants recently lost Eli Manning to retirement but hope Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley can lead them back to the Super Bowl. It won't be easy considering how the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are shaped right now.
8. FC Barcelona
Value: $4.02 Billion
Ever since Lionel Messi took over as FC Barcelona's go-to-guy, the Blaugrana have continued to climb the ladder. They're currently the 8th wealthiest sports team and the 2nd richest soccer team in the world.
They have had some struggles to keep up with their standards lately despite spending some big bucks in Antoine Griezmann but it's only a matter of time before they go back to their winning ways.
7. New England Patriots
Value: $4.1 Billion
The New England Patriots should give Tom Brady a minority stake on the team. At the end of the day, they owe him and Bill Belichick most of the success they had as the most dominant dynasty of the past 20 years.
The Patriots have set the standard for winning franchises around the NFL but will now be forced to play with Brady for the first time in two decades. Whether they'll keep on winning or not it's yet to be seen.
6. Real Madrid
Value: $4.24 Billion
Real Madrid isn't only the winningest team in UEFA Champions League history but also the most valuable soccer team in the world. They could've afforded to raise Cristiano Ronaldo's salary if they wanted to.
Ronaldo or not, Los Blancos made it to the top of La Liga this season and will continue to be perennial contenders for as long as Zinedine Zidane is leading the way. Love them or hate them, you can't disrespect Real Madrid.
5. Golden State Warriors
Value: $4.3 Billion
No one, not even the most optimistic Golden State Warriors' fans would have ever imagined how the franchise went through that kind of turnaround in that little time. They went from the bottom of the standings to becoming a dynasty.
The Warriors build through the NBA Draft and are now one of the most profitable and valuable teams in all sports. Their value went up 23% this year despite losing the NBA Finals vs. the Toronto Raptors.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Value: $4.4 Billion
The Los Angeles Lakers hadn't made the playoffs since 2013 and then LeBron James came around. The King wants to continue cementing his legacy as one of the greatest ever by leading the Lakers back to the Finals.
Even so, Los Angeles' finest has always been near the top of the list when we talk about the most valuable sports franchises. They have a huge fanbase all around the world and have always been a synonym to excellence and luxury.
3. New York Knicks
Value: $4.6 Billion
Remember what we said about the New York City effect? Well, there isn't a bigger example to that than the New York Knicks. The Knicks haven't won a ring in 47 years, yet they're the most valuable franchise in the NBA.
We get it, Madison Square Garden is arguably the most legendary basketball court on earth and people from all over the world travel to watch the Knicks live. Hopefully, they'll finally put an end to their title drought rather sooner than later.
2. New York Yankees
Value: $5 Billion
The New York Yankees aren't only the most successful franchise in Major League Baseball but also the wealthiest and it's not even close. The 27 times World Series champions' value went up 9% this year.
The Yankees didn't win a title last decade for the first time in their history, so you know they'll spend as much money as it takes to go back to the top of the world. That's why they call them The Evil Empire.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Value: $5.5 Billion
We're getting used to seeing the Dallas Cowboys as the most valuable sports team in the world. I mean, there's a reason why they call him America's Team, even if they haven't won a Super Bowl in quite some time.
The Cowboys are 10% more valuable this season. They've built a solid core with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper and it's only a matter of time before they make it back to the big game.
