Dallas Cowboys first sporting club to be worth $4b, top Forbes rich list

A SPORTING club has just topped the $4 billion mark, but it’s not Real Madrid, Manchester United or the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Dallas Cowboys are world sport’s most valuable franchise.

THE Dallas Cowboys are the first sports franchise worth $4 billion, according to Forbes.

In its annual rankings, Forbes placed the Cowboys ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona after the NFL team had a 25 percent increase in value.

Champions League winner Real dropped to the second spot at $3.65 billion, followed by its archrival Barcelona at $3.55 billion.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo earns plenty as part of the world’s richest sporting club.

The rest of the top 10 has the New York Yankees ($3.4 billion) in fourth place, followed by Manchester United ($3.32 billion), the New England Patriots ($3.2 billion), New York Knicks ($3.0 billion), Washington Redskins ($2.8 billion), New York Giants ($2.8 billion), and tied for 10th, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Francisco 49ers ($2.7 billion).

Real Madrid has been knocked off its perch as the world’s richest club. Picture: Getty Images

The average current value of the 50 most valuable teams is $2.2 billion, the highest to date, a 25 percent increase over last year.

NFL teams account for more than half the list with 27.

“Blockbuster TV contracts are fueling unprecedented increases in sports team values around the globe as the average value of a top 50 franchise has doubled over the past four years,” Forbes senior editor Kurt Badenhausen said.

“The NFL is still king on TV with contracts worth nearly $7 billion annually from its media partners.”

Eight European soccer teams and eight NBA franchises made the list, and there were seven Major League Baseball clubs in the top 50.

Kobe might be gone, but the Los Angeles Lakers are still laughing all the way to the bank. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Forbes rich list top 10

Dallas Cowboys $4 billion

Real Madrid $3.65 billion

Barcelona at $3.55 billion

New York Yankees $3.4 billion

Manchester United $3.32 billion

New England Patriots $3.2 billion

New York Knicks $3.0 billion

Washington Redskins $2.8 billion

New York Giants $2.8 billion

Los Angeles Lakers and San Francisco 49ers $2.7 billion (tied)

Picturesque Yankee Stadium is home to the world’s fourth most valuable sporting club, the New York Yankees.

Originally published as Dallas Cowboys first sporting club to be worth $4b, top Forbes rich list