By Mark Baber
July 16 – Real Madrid has retained the top spot as the world’s most valuable sports franchise, worth $3.26 billion, in the 2015 edition of Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Most Valuable Sports Teams.
This is the third consecutive year Real Madrid have taken top sport, but both Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankess are hot on their heels, with Barcelona and Manchester United in 4th and 5th places on a list which includes 20 NFL teams , 12 from the MLB, 10 from the NBA, one from the NHL and one from F1 as well as seven football clubs.
The average values of teams on the list has climbed an impressive 31% from last year, measured by enterprises values (equity plus debt). The incredible rises in value of the world’s top teams across various sport are, according to Forbes, the result of team owners capitalising “on their greatest financial advantage: DVR-proof programming in a fractured TV environment. Sports teams are awash in cash today thanks to multibillion-dollar media deals around the globe.”
Real Madrid recorded the highest revenue in all sports at $746 million with a profit of $171 million. The high media revenue for Real Madrid and Barcelona is partly the result of their being able to strike their own individual deals with broadcasters rather than being bound by collective agreements which has resulted in a $277 million deal for Real – the highest broadcast revenue in sports.
However, despite just hanging on to its top billing, the value of Real Madrid fell by 5% compared to last year, and it seems unlikely they will retain their position given the continuing increases enjoyed by other teams, including in the Premier Leaague, as well as difficulties with redevelopment plans of the Bernabeu.
Source: Forbes
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