Forbes’ most valuable sports teams in the world 2015: Real Madrid leapfrogged by Dallas Cowboys in top spot
The Dallas Cowboys have overtaken Real Madrid to become the most valuable sports team in the world, according to estimates from Forbes.
Read more: Premier League teams dominate football Deloitte Money League rich list
The American football team have been valued at $4bn (£2.6bn) in Forbes' latest valuations of NFL franchises, putting them above Real Madrid who the magazine said were worth $3.3bn in July.
Despite not having appeared in the Super Bowl for nearly two decades, last year the Dallas Cowboys generated revenue of $620m, a record for an American sports team.
The franchise boasted a huge average attendance of 90,000 last season – the biggest in the NFL – at the AT&T stadium, generating $120m.
After Real Madrid, Barcelona are the next most valuable football team in the world with a $3.2bn valuation according to Forbes.
Yet the NFL – which could soon have a franchise London – is catching up. The 32 franchises enjoy an equal share of $4.4bn in broadcasting revenue (only the Premier League makes more) which has helped drive a 38 per cent increase in their average value to £1.3bn.
| Team | Valuation (according to Forbes) |
|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys (American football) | $4bn |
| Real Madrid (Football) | $3.26bn |
| New England Patriots (American football) | $3.2bn |
| New York Yankees (Baseball) | $3.2bn |
| Barcelona (Football) | $3.16bn |