The Dallas Cowboys have once again been crowned the world’s most valuable sports team, retaining the top spot in Forbes’ annual valuation rankings published on Thursday. The iconic NFL franchise has now led the list every year since 2016, underlining the financial power of American football in the global sports economy.
Forbes values the Cowboys at $13bn (£9.7bn), representing a 29% increase on last year and further extending their lead over the rest of the sporting world. The franchise overtook Spanish giants Real Madrid nine years ago and has not relinquished first place since.
NFL and NBA Clubs Dominate Global Valuations
The latest rankings are heavily dominated by NFL franchises, reflecting the league’s commercial strength, lucrative broadcasting deals, and consistent revenue growth.
The Golden State Warriors are the highest-ranked NBA team, placing second overall with a valuation of $11bn (£8.2bn). They are followed by two more NFL teams — the Los Angeles Rams at $10.5bn (£7.8bn) and the New York Giants at $10.1bn (£7.5bn).
Rounding out the top five are the Los Angeles Lakers, valued at $10bn (£7.5bn), making them the second NBA franchise in the elite group.
European Football’s Diminishing Presence
Despite football’s global popularity, only four European football clubs feature in the top 50 rankings this year:
- Real Madrid
- Manchester United
- Barcelona
- Liverpool
Several high-profile clubs, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, have dropped out after appearing in the 2024 list.
Real Madrid are the highest-ranked football club, sitting 20th with a valuation of $6.75bn (£5bn). Manchester United follow closely, valued at $6.6bn (£4.9bn) and placed joint 24th.
Barcelona rank 42nd with a valuation of $5.65bn (£4.2bn), while Liverpool have slipped significantly, falling from 27th last year to joint 48th, valued at $5.4bn (£4bn).
NFL’s Financial Supremacy Explained
In total, 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams appear in the top 50, highlighting the league’s unparalleled business model. The remaining teams are made up of:
- 12 NBA franchises
- Two MLB teams
- Two Formula One teams
- Two La Liga clubs
- Two Premier League clubs
The most valuable baseball franchise is the New York Yankees, ranked joint 10th and valued at $8.2bn (£6.1bn).
In motorsport, Ferrari’s Formula One team is ranked 26th with a valuation of $6.5bn (£4.9bn), while Mercedes F1 place 34th at $6bn (£4.5bn).
Media Rights Drive Explosive Growth
According to Forbes, the combined value of the top 50 sports teams now exceeds $353bn (£264bn) — a 22% increase from 2024 and more than double the total valuation from just four years ago.
The surge has been largely attributed to soaring media rights fees, particularly in the NFL and NBA, where long-term broadcasting agreements have transformed franchises into global entertainment brands.
These deals have provided teams with predictable income streams, shielding them from economic uncertainty and allowing valuations to climb rapidly.
World’s Top 10 Most Valuable Sports Teams (2025)
- Dallas Cowboys (NFL) – $13bn
- Golden State Warriors (NBA) – $11bn
- Los Angeles Rams (NFL) – $10.5bn
- New York Giants (NFL) – $10.1bn
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) – $10bn
- New York Knicks (NBA) – $9.75bn
- New England Patriots (NFL) – $9bn
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – $8.6bn
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) – $8.3bn
- Chicago Bears (NFL) / New York Yankees (MLB) – $8.2bn
Cowboys’ Brand Power Shows No Sign of Slowing
The Cowboys’ continued dominance reflects their unmatched commercial reach, global fanbase, and branding — despite limited on-field success in recent seasons. With AT&T Stadium, massive sponsorship deals, and constant media exposure, the franchise has become a benchmark for sports business worldwide.
As broadcasting revenues continue to rise and American sports leagues expand their global footprint, the gap between US franchises and the rest of the sporting world shows little sign of narrowing.
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