Cowboys, Yankees Are Most Valuable Sports Franchises, Forbes Reports

KEY POINTS

The Dallas Cowboys topped Forbes' list of the most valuable sports franchises for the fifth consecutrive year
New York Yankees also valued at more than $5 billion, $1.6 billion more than the closest baseball franchise
Three soccer clubs made the top 10 -- Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United

The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable franchise in professional sports, according to rankings compiled by Forbes. Topping the publication’s list for a fifth straight year, the NFL team is valued at $5.5 billion.

Known as “America’s Team,” Dallas generated operating profits of $420 million in 2018, according to Forbes. The five-time Super Bowl champions lead the way despite of a 24-year championship drought.

Dallas led all NFL teams last season with an average attendance of 90,292, per ESPN. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones bought the team for $150 million in 1989.

The New York Yankees are valued at $5 billion, putting them second among all sports franchises. Controlling owner Hank Steinbrenner inherited the team from his father, George Steinbrenner, who purchased the club for $8.8 million in 1973.

No other baseball team is valued among the 13 richest franchises. The Yankees are the most successful team in American pro sports history with 27 championships. New York last won the World Series in 2009.

Being one of the least successful franchises on the court hasn’t stopped the New York Knicks from being the NBA’s most valuable team. The Knicks are third on the list, valued at $4.6 billion.

New York has compiled seven consecutive losing seasons, and the team last won the NBA Finals in 1973.

The Los Angeles Lakers are fourth overall with a $4.4 billion valuation, followed by the Golden State Warriors at $4.3 billion. The Lakers reportedly have the most lucrative local television deal in sports, worth $4 billion over 20 years, according to The Athletic. The Warriors reached the NBA Finals each year from 2015-2019.

The New England Patriots , seventh overall on the list, are valued at $4.1 billion. The average NFL franchise is worth an estimated $2.86 billion, landing seven teams in the top 15 of the list.

Strongly representing non-U.S.-based franchises, three soccer clubs cracked the top 10 -- No. 6 Real Madrid at $4.24 billion, No. 8 Barcelona at $4.02 billion, and No. 10 Manchester United at $3.81 billion.