Some of the richest sports organizations in the world are riddled with football and soccer teams. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and some clubs such as PSG are very lucrative based on ownership and city marketing.
The same is true for football clubs, such as the Dallas Cowboys or New England Patriots. Despite baseball seeing the NFL pass its popularity over the last few decades, the New York Yankees are considered one of the richest and most popular sports clubs in the world.
Let’s break down the richest and most dominant sports teams in the world. Also be sure to check out the various types of RYP contests to win prizes for free, or begin your league and set up contests for friends and family to compete in!
Most Valuable Sports Teams
Below are the most valuable sports teams globally based on Forbes data taken in 2022.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are easily the most popular NFL team, and the numbers don’t lie as the club is worth a reported $8 billion by owner Jerry Jones. Jones only paid $150 million for the team as the entire franchise has seen a 67% increase over the last five years.
New England Patriots
It’s a bit surprising to see the Patriots this high on the list, but that’s what happens when the greatest quarterback of all-time wins countless Super Bowls in a large market area. New England also encompasses multiple states within America, creating even more fans through a country’s region rather than individual city or state.
Owner Robert Kraft paid roughly $172 million for the Patriots which has seen a 73% increase over the last five years. The Patriots are worth $6.4 billion but it will be interesting to see if they can maintain the No. 2 position without Tom Brady moving forward.
Los Angeles Rams
This is also a surprise to see, but the Rams are currently worth $6.2 billion following a Super Bowl win just a few years ago. The franchise has been back-and-forth between Los Angeles and St. Louis, but has seen a 107% increase over the last five years, as the move back to Cali has seemingly paid off – literally. Owner Stan Kroenke originally paid $750 million for the club.
New York Yankees
The Yankees outside the Top 3 is unusual to say the least, deemed one of the most (if not the most) popular franchises in the world. The Steinbrenner’s have run this team for decades now, originally buying the club for a measly $8.8 million in 1973. The Yankees are now worth $6 billion while increasing in value by 62% over the last five years. New York has over 25 World Series titles and is deemed to be the most dominant team throughout its entire history.
New York Giants
A growing pattern here is the northeast region of America, specifically New York – as the city has two different teams in the Top 5. The large market definitely plays a factor, and New York is one of the largest globally. The Giants are worth $6 billion as well, but have grown quicker than the Yankees over the last five years.
The Giants have seen an 82% increase in value, as the Mara’s and Tisch’s originally purchased the team for $150 million in 1991. The club has also won two Super Bowls against the Brady-led Patriots, which doesn’t hurt in terms of garnering popularity.
New York Knicks
Surprise, surprise – another New York club on the list. Despite struggles on the court since what feels like the 90’s, the New York Knicks are worth $5.8 billion. The team has seen a 76% increase over the last five years after being purchased in 1997 by Madison Square Garden Sports for $300 million.
Chicago Bears
Much like the Knicks, the Bears haven’t had a lot of success on the field but are still worth $5.8 billion regardless. In perhaps one of the best deals on paper, the Bears were purchased way back in 1920 by the McCaskey family. How much did they pay? $100 even. The Bears are now worth nearly $6 billion and have seen a 104% increase in value over the last five years.
Golden State Warriors
Playing in San Francisco and winning championships definitely has merit to the Warriors eclipsing the Top 10 in club value. Steph Curry has led the Warriors to multiple championships in what is the closest team considered to be a dynasty in the NBA right now.
The Warriors were purchased not long ago by a couple of fellows by the names of Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. They paid $450 million in 2010 for a team that is now worth $5.6 billion. Golden State has seen a 115% increase in value over the last five years (Curry era).
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have been rubbish on the field and internally as of late, but the club’s value is still one of the highest in the world. Playing near the nation’s capital certainly helps, but ownership might be changing hands very soon.
Regardless of the internal state of this team right now, the Commanders are currently owned by both Daniel and Tanya Snyder. The couple bought the club for $750 million in 1999, but is now worth $5.6 billion after seeing an 81% increase in value over the last five years.
Los Angeles Lakers
It’s surprising to see the Lakers on the cusp of Top 10, especially with LeBron James playing in town for years there now. Regardless, the Lakers are one of the most popular basketball clubs in a sport that is very popular globally. Even the USA Olympic team is popular globally.
The Lakers have three distinct owners that essentially paid $20 million for the club in 1979, and the once again purchased for $5 billion in 2021 through Philip Anschutz. Long story short, lots of folks have a share in the Lakers that is now worth $5.5 billion.
New York Jets
Oh looky looky another New York team, as the Jets are worth $5.4 billion. The Johnson family bought the team in 2000 for $635 million and has seen a 96% increase over five years. The Jets haven’t seen the best results on the field, but playing in a popular market along with being a historic franchise has certainly kept its die hard fans.
San Francisco 49ers
The second ‘bay area’ team to grace the list are the NFL’s 49ers, a historic franchise with multiple championships over time. The Yorks own the 49ers after paying just $13 million for the team in 1977. They are currently worth $5.2 billion and have seen an increase in value at 70% over the last five years.
Real Madrid
It’s surprising to see the first soccer club rank all the way at No. 13, but Spain’s Real Madrid is currently listed as the richest football club globally. They are worth $5.1 billion and have seen a valued increase of 42% over the last five years.
Las Vegas Raiders
Al Davis bought the Raiders way back in 1966 for $180,000. Currently, the team has since moved to Las Vegas (from Oakland) and sits at $5.1 billion in value. The value has shot up by 114% over the last five years, and playing in a much larger (entertainment-driven) market might see this number go up further.
Barcelona
The Spanish soccer clubs are all over the Top 15 as Barcelona enters the fray with a $5 billion value. It has had financial issues lately however, and even dispersed their three-headed monster led by Lionel Messi after messy internal situations – pun intended.
The club has only seen a 39% increase in value, but seems to be back on track financially speaking. Barca has also stayed relevant on the pitch through much drama lately, led by Robert Lewandowski.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ value might increase following a Super Bowl 57 appearance, along with the bright future of its stars on the field. Philly has some of the most loyal fans in all of sports, while it is also considered a large market. The current $4.9 billion value should increase, as owner Jeffrey Lurie has seen an 85% increase over the last five years.
Houston Texans
Probably the biggest surprise on this list currently is the No. 17 Houston Texans, a relatively new team (formed in 2002). Despite not playing until 2002, Janice McNair purchased the club in 1999 for $600 million. The Texans are now worth $4.7 billion and have seen a 68% increase over the last five years.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos own the mountain west market in America. It’s no surprise to see them this high on the list. The club also has history littered throughout, with many Super Bowl wins behind popular quarterback John Elway and running back Terrell Davis. This was a highly marketable club during the 90’s.
Currently, the Broncos are worth $4.65 billion which isn’t a huge increase from when owner Rob Walton bought the team for $4.5 billion in 2022. However, the Broncos have seen a 79% increase in value over the last five years.
Manchester United
The first English soccer club to grace the list comes in at No. 19 with Manchester United, arguably the most popular soccer team globally. Man U is currently with $4.6 billion and has seen a 24% increase in value over the last five years.
The Glazer family, who has ties to ownership in the NFL, purchased the club in 2005 for $1.4 billion. They are a notorious group of owners however, as many Man U fans have protested their ownership.
Miami Dolphins
The final team on our list might be a surprise to many. The Miami Dolphins are within the Top 20 for most valuable sports franchises in the world. The team has been put on a map throughout time, whether it be an undefeated season or an Ace Ventura movie. The Dolphins do a good job of finding ways to be relevant.
Playing in south Florida also helps, owning the entire east coast demographic of Florida until Daytona Beach. Stephen Ross purchased the club in 2009 for $1.1 billion. It is now worth $4.6 billion with a 79% increase in value over the last five years.
Who Is the Richest Team in the World?
The Dallas Cowboys are the richest sports team in the world. Jones actually has his own media staff report on team news. He has even built an entire sports complex that many leagues use. Jones has created a small football town with the Dallas Cowboys and stretched that brand far and abroad the globe.
