Most Valuable Soccer Teams

Monday, February 01, 2010

By Nick k.

Forbes, one of the big names of finance has come up with yet another worlds richest list, but one that concerns us, the one being of the most valuable soccer franchises of the world. Despite the economic crisis many top football clubs in the world continue to profit huge amounts of money through gate receipts, sponsorship and broadcasting rights. At $1.8 billion dollars English Premier League club Manchester United tops Forbes valuations of soccer clubs along with 4 other teams can boast of being worth at least $1 billion.

Discover which teams head the soccer rich list.

1 - Manchester United - Team Value $1,870 Million

Owned by the Glazer family since 2005, the 2009 English Premier League Champions Manchester United are the richest club in the world. Assessed as having the highest team value, MU has been market a leader in exploiting their enormous worldwide fan base.

Their initial expertise at exploiting the global appeal of previous idol David Beckham provided an economic platform for growth. Despite the sale of world superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United continues to profit from the worldwide popularity of the EPL and their ongoing success on the pitch.

2 - Real Madrid - Team Value $1,353 Million

Arguably the most iconic team in the world, Real Madrid are Spain's most successful side. With apparently limitless financial resources they are able to regularly attract some of the world's greatest players to the Bernabeu, as shown by their purchase of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Synonymous with the city of Madrid, it appears the thought of diminishing status cannot be entertained and the Real Madrid brand continues to dominate the Spanish game despite the ongoing challenge of great rivals Barcelona.

3 - Arsenal - Team Value $1,200 Million

Having carefully managed moving home from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger pride themselves on running an economically viable club. Increased ground capacity has improved revenue and a reluctance to overspend in the transfer market has left Arsenal with a firm basis for continued growth.

4 - Bayern Munich - Team Value $1,100 Million

For many years the leading team in Germany, Bayern Munich are not quite the same force in the Bundesliga in recent times. Despite this are they still a powerful force in world football with the new Allianz Arena providing a dramatic setting for home matches. The 1970's were Bayern's glory years with a hat trick of European Cup triumphs between 1974 and 1976.

5 - Liverpool - Team Value $1,010 Million

Still in the shadow of the teams that dominated domestic and European football for two decades in the 1970's and 80's, Liverpool will need to find funds for a new stadium to sustain their place in the football elite. Under controversial American ownership, the team of 2009 are suffering pressure both on and off the field of play with the immediate future pivotal to their long term success.

 

6 AC Milan, Italy 990

7 Barcelona, Spain 960

8 Chelsea, England 800

9 Juventus, Italy 600

10 Schalke 04, Germany 510

11 Tottenham Hotspur, England

12 Olympique Lyonnais, France 423

13 AS Roma, Italy

14 Internazionale Milan, Italy 370

15 Hamburg SV, Germany 330

16 Borussia Dortmund, Germany 325

17 Manchester City, England 310

18 Werder Bremen, Germany 292

19 Newcastle United, England 285

20 VfB Stuttgart, Germany 264

21 Aston Villa, England 240

21 Olympique Marseille, France 240

23 Celtic, Scotland 218

24 Everton, England 207

25 Glasgow Rangers, Scotland 194

NOTES: Revenues and operating income are for the '06-07 season, converted into U.S. dollars based on June 30, '07 exchange rates. * = Value of team based on current stadium deals (unless new stadium is pending) without deduction for debt (other than stadium debt). ** = Includes stadium debt. ^ = Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

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ac milan - arsenal - as roma - aston villa - barcelona - bayern munich - borussia dortmund - celtic - chelsea - cristiano ronaldo

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