Top 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams in the World: 2024 Rankings
Top 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams in the World: 2024 Rankings.
The NFL boasts the highest number of franchises within a collective valuation of $289 billion; however, an NBA fast break is altering the standings.
For the ninth consecutive year, the Dallas Cowboys have been recognized as the most valuable sports team globally, with an estimated worth of $10.1 billion. This valuation marks the first instance of a sports team surpassing the $10 billion threshold, placing them $1.3 billion ahead of their nearest rival.
Notably, there has been significant movement within the top 50 teams, as 12 NBA franchises have now entered the rankings, a notable increase from the six that appeared last year. The Golden State Warriors lead this group, valued at approximately $8.8 billion, securing the second position overall.
This year, the average worth of the league's 30 franchises reached $4.4 billion, reflecting a 15% increase compared to 2023 and an impressive 596% rise over the past decade, equating to a 21% compound annual growth rate. No other sport represented among the 50 most valuable teams has experienced such a level of appreciation.
The arrival of NBA teams has resulted in a decline for Major League Baseball, which has seen two of its franchises, the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants, exit the top 50 rankings. Additionally, Formula 1 has lost both of its teams, Ferrari and Mercedes, while the NFL is now without the Buffalo Bills. Due to a tie at the 50th position this year between the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and the NBA's Phoenix Suns, six new teams have entered the ranking, whereas only five teams have been removed.
Despite these changes, the NFL remains the dominant force on the list, boasting 29 franchises, which constitutes 58% of the top 50. Soccer, which had eight clubs in the top 50 a decade ago, including the top three positions, now features six teams across four leagues, with Real Madrid from Spain's La Liga leading at a valuation of $6.6 billion, placing it in a tie for 12th overall.
European elite soccer teams may possess an unparalleled global presence; however, the commercialization of American professional sports remains unmatched, particularly in terms of media agreements. The NBA's national television contracts, finalized in July and set to commence next season, are reportedly valued at $76 billion over an 11-year period, resulting in an average annual distribution of $230 million per team.
In contrast, each NFL franchise is projected to receive approximately $380 million annually throughout the duration of the league's national media rights agreement, which is expected to yield a minimum of $125.5 billion by 2033.
For context, Atlético Madrid, a La Liga team that does not rank among the top 50 most valuable sports franchises globally but holds the 13th position among soccer clubs, they generated $382 million in revenue last season from various sources. Additionally, consider Manchester City, which has secured four consecutive titles in England's prestigious Premier League, along with the 2023 Champions League trophy.
The club's current valuation stands at $5.1 billion, placing it at No. 31 in the global rankings, alongside the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers, which rank fifth in value within their local market, trailing behind the Rams, Lakers, Clippers, and Dodgers.
The total valuation of the 50 most valuable teams amounts to nearly $289 billion, averaging approximately $5.8 billion per team, which represents a 13% increase from 2023. The threshold for inclusion has also reached unprecedented heights, climbing 16% to $4.3 billion, compared to last year's figure of $3.7 billion. Notably, the team ranked last this year would have secured the top position just seven years prior, when the Cowboys were valued at $4.2 billion.
Top 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams In The World 2024
#1. $10.1 B
Dallas Cowboys
#2. $8.8 B
Golden State Warriors
#3. $7.6 B
Los Angeles Rams
#4. $7.55 B
New York Yankees
#5. $7.5 B
New York Knicks
#6. $7.4 B
New England Patriots
#7. $7.3 B
New York Giants
#8. $7.1 B
Los Angeles Lakers
#9. $6.9 B
New York Jets
#10. $6.8 B
San Francisco 49ers
#11. $6.7 B
Las Vegas Raiders
#12 (tie). $6.6 B
Philadelphia Eagles
#12 (tie). $6.6 B
Real Madrid
#14. $6.55 B
Manchester United
#15. $6.4 B
Chicago Bears
#16. $6.3 B
Washington Commanders
#17. $6.2 B
Miami Dolphins
#18. $6.1 B
Houston Texans
#19. $6 B
Boston Celtics
#20 (tie). $5.6 B
Barcelona
#20 (tie) $5.6 B
Green Bay Packers
#22 (tie). $5.5 B
Denver Broncos
#22 (tie). $5.5 B
Los Angeles Clippers
#24 (tie). $5.45 B
Los Angeles Dodgers
#24 (tie). $5.45 B
Seattle Seahawks
#26. $5.4 B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#27. $5.37 B
Liverpool
#28. $5.3 B
Pittsburgh Steelers
#29. $5.2 B
Atlanta Falcons
#30. $5.15 B
Cleveland Browns
#31 (tie). $5.1 B
Los Angeles Chargers
#31 (tie). $5.1 B
Manchester City
#33. $5.05 B
Minnesota Vikings
#34 (tie). $5 B
Baltimore Ravens
#34 (tie). $5 B
Bayern Munich
#34 (tie). $5 B
Chicago Bulls
#37 (tie). $4.9 B
Houston Rockets
#37 (tie). $4.9 B
Tennessee Titans
#39. $4.85 B
Kansas City Chiefs
#40 (tie). $4.8 B
Brooklyn Nets
#40 (tie). $4.8 B
Indianapolis Colts
#42. $4.7 B
Dallas Mavericks
#43 (tie). $4.6 B
Jacksonville Jaguars
#43 (tie). $4.6 B
Philadelphia 76ers
#45 (tie). $4.5 B
Boston Red Sox
#45 (tie). $4.5 B
Carolina Panthers
#47 (tie). $4.4 B
New Orleans Saints
#47 (tie). $4.4 B
Paris Saint-Germain
#47 (tie). $4.4 B
Toronto Raptors
#50 (tie). $4.3 B
Arizona Cardinals
#50 (tie). $4.3 B
Phoenix Suns
The latest rankings of the world’s most valuable sports teams highlight the dynamic growth and global appeal of professional sports. The NFL remains dominant, with its unparalleled media agreements and 29 teams in the top 50. However, the NBA's surge is remarkable, reflecting a transformative era of expansion and increasing franchise valuations. With 12 teams now among the top 50, the league's momentum is undeniable.
This growth signifies a broader shift in the sports economy, driven by innovation, fan engagement, and strategic investments. Together, these developments underscore an exciting future for sports, with expanding opportunities and ever-growing global influence.
