Man Utd Remain World’s Most Valuable Team

Despite losing the Premier League title in the final seconds of the 2011/12 season to their local rivals, 19-time champions Manchester United have retained their place as the world’s most valuable sports team – after Forbes magazine released its annual rankings.

The club, which recently confirmed that it plans to launch an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, did however experience a slight drop in recent figures. 

Alex Ferguson’s team has been granted a valuation of US$2.23 billion by Forbes, compared to a figure of $2.235 billion released in April’s list of the most valuable football teams. 

The magazine highlights United’s ability in the sponsorship market as one of the key reasons behind its valuation. 

Insurance company Aon pays $31 million a year for the team’s shirt sponsorship, DHL Express has a four-year training kit sponsorship worth a reported $62 million and Nike’s sportswear agreement is worth a minimum of $39 million a year, based on overall sales, in a deal through to 2015.

Real Madrid were named the second most valuable sports team, with football holding the top-two positions in Forbes’ top-10.

Forbes noted that the Spanish Primera Division champions had the highest revenues of any football team during the 2010/11 season and was the most profitable team in all of sport during 2011, with operating income of $214 million.

The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys tied with MLB’s New York Yankees for third spot. 

FC Barcelona placed eighth with a valuation of $1.31 billion, while Premier League club Arsenal took 10th spot with $1.29 billion. 

Forbes commented that Barcelona’s broadcasting revenue of $266 million as leading the way for football clubs in 2011, adding that Arsenal drew fourth-highest matchday revenues of $150 million.