09-24-2008, 09:49 AM
The National Football League is the strongest sport in the world. The reason: No other league has so successfully exploited new stadiums as the NFL during the past decade. Each of the top 10 most valuable teams plays in a modern stadium, or will by 2010. Yes, England’s prolific soccer team, Manchester United, is still the most valuable team in the world ($1.8 billion), but there are only four soccer teams (Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool are the others) worth over $1 billion. The NFL now has 19 teams worth that much, compared with five last year and none five years ago.
I would note that my teams (the 49'ers & Raiders) rank 30 & 31 in value, beating out the Vikings who are the lowest valued team in the NFL. Both teams have failed to get new stadiums and the associated revenue that they could bring in.
Value of the team comes from a variety of things including, parking, surrounding businesses, tickets to practices, stadium naming revenue, etc - It's all about marketing.
Value per team aside, European Football (Soccer to us North Americans) is still the most popular, most watched sport in the world.
I would note that my teams (the 49'ers & Raiders) rank 30 & 31 in value, beating out the Vikings who are the lowest valued team in the NFL. Both teams have failed to get new stadiums and the associated revenue that they could bring in.
Value of the team comes from a variety of things including, parking, surrounding businesses, tickets to practices, stadium naming revenue, etc - It's all about marketing.
Value per team aside, European Football (Soccer to us North Americans) is still the most popular, most watched sport in the world.