Patriots (6th), Red Sox (24th) Among 50 Most Valuable Sports Franchises
BOSTON (CBS) – When it comes to the most valuable sports franchises, the New England area can lay claim to two of them.
Forbes released their "50 Most Valuable Sports Franchises" list on Monday, with the New England Patriots ranking sixth and Boston Red Sox 24th.
The Patriots are one of four NFL teams in the top 10. Valued at $1.4 billion, they are the third NFL franchise on the list after the Dallas Cowboys (tied for third at $1.85 billion) and Washington Redskins (fifth at $1.56 billion).
"The Patriots are one of the NFL's best-run teams on and off the field," Forbres writes. "The Patriots have sold out every game at Gillette Stadium since it opened in 2002 and made the playoffs eight of the past nine years. Quarterback Tom Bradyis just the second quarterback, after John Elway, to lead his team to the Super Bowl five times. Brady's last trip to the Super Bowl ended in disappointment when the Pats lost to the New York Giants for the second time in five seasons in the big game."
All 32 NFL teams made the top 50. The average NFL franchise is worth $1.04 billion, according to Forbes.
Valued at $1 billion, the Red Sox are the third MLB team to make the list following the New York Yankees (third at $1.85 billion) and Los Angeles Dodgers (tied with the Patriots at sixth at $1.4 billion).
"The Red Sox posted the fourth-best television ratings in 2011, averaging a 7.9 on New England Sports Network, a 33% increase over the previous season," said Forbes. "High ratings make it easier for the team to capitalize on its 80% ownership of NESN, via both advertising revenue and transmission fees from distributors. The Red Sox also have baseball's second-most-expensive tickets, with an average price of $54. Team owner John Henry owns 50% of Nascar's Roush Fenway Racing, as well as the iconic English soccer club Liverpool, which he acquired in 2010 for $477 million."
Just seven MLB teams made the list. There are also seven soccer clubs, two NBA teams and two Formula-One racing teams rounding out the list.
Manchester United tops all other sports franchises at $2.23 billion, with Real Madrid second at $1.88 billion.
