Forbes have released their annual list of the world’s richest clubs, and the results reveal a dramatic shift in global football. While Real Madrid occupy the top spot for the fourth consecutive year (valued at $3.645 billion), English clubs now occupy six of the top 10 spots. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have each seen their value increase by over 40% in one-year.
Growing revenue from television deals, sponsorships and increased Champions League payouts mean that England’s top clubs dominate the financial landscape of European football. The English Premier League’s $2.60 billion domestic television deal is more than twice that of Italy’s Serie A and almost three times as large as La Liga’s in Spain.
The World's Top 10 Richest Clubs. Photo: @darrenrovell | Twitter
Manchester United, with their massive deals with both Adidas and Chevrolet, trail only Real Madrid in money from kit and stadium deals.
Photo: @nickdesantis | Twitter
The business acumen of Premiership owners was also highlighted by Forbes.
Roman Abramovich paid $233 million for Chelsea in 2003. They are now valued at $1.7 billion. The Glazer’s took control of Manchester United in 2005, when they were valued at $1.47 billion. Their value now exceeds $3.3 billion.
Photo: @nickdesantis | Twitter
The value of staying in the Premier League will certainly not be lost on relegation favorites Newcastle United. They break into the rich list at number 20, with a value of $383 million that’s maintained by revenues of $204 million. A drop to the English Championship will have a catastrophic effect on those numbers.
Of the top five most valuable sports teams on the planet, three are soccer clubs and two are American football teams. The Dallas Cowboys remain the most valuable sports team on the planet with a $4 billion evaluation. The New England Patriots come in at number five, beneath Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.
(H/T: World Soccer)
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
