The Dallas Cowboys have once again proven that success in sports is no longer measured only by trophies. According to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s most valuable sports teams, published Thursday, the Cowboys remain firmly on top, extending a remarkable run that began in 2016.
Valued at an eye-watering $13 billion (£9.7bn), the Cowboys are now the most valuable sports franchise on the planet by a clear margin. Forbes reports that the team’s valuation jumped 29% from last year, highlighting the continued strength of the NFL’s business model and the Cowboys’ unmatched global brand power. The Texas-based franchise overtook Spanish football giant Real Madrid nearly a decade ago and has not relinquished the top spot since.
The NFL dominates the rankings, underlining its commercial muscle. Out of the top 50 teams, 30 of the league’s 32 franchises make the list. Following the Cowboys, the Golden State Warriors of the NBA sit second at $11bn, showing how basketball’s elite franchises are also thriving financially. They are followed by NFL teams Los Angeles Rams ($10.5bn) and the New York Giants ($10.1bn), while the Los Angeles Lakers ($10bn) round out the top five.
Football (soccer), traditionally the world’s most popular sport, has a surprisingly smaller presence. Only four clubs—Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Liverpool—appear in the top 50. Real Madrid ranks highest among them at 20th, valued at $6.75bn, while Manchester United sits joint 24th at $6.6bn. Barcelona follows in 42nd, and Liverpool fall sharply to joint 48th, valued at $5.4bn, down from 27th a year ago. Notably, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain dropped out after appearing in the 2024 rankings.
Formula One also makes its mark, with Ferrari’s F1 team ranked 26th at $6.5bn and Mercedes 34th at $6bn, reflecting the sport’s growing global appeal.
Forbes estimates that the combined value of the top 50 teams now exceeds $353bn (£264bn)—a 22% increase from 2024 and more than double the total from four years ago. The surge, according to the magazine, is largely driven by booming media rights deals, particularly in the NFL and NBA.
In an era where broadcasting, sponsorships, and global fan engagement define success, the Dallas Cowboys continue to stand alone—less a football team and more a global business empire.
TOP FIVE MOST VALUABLE SPORTS TEAMS (2025)
| Rank | Team | League | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Cowboys | NFL | $13.0bn |
| 2 | Golden State Warriors | NBA | $11.0bn |
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams | NFL | $10.5bn |
| 4 | New York Giants | NFL | $10.1bn |
| 5 | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA | $10.0bn |
The Golden State Warriors finished second with a valuation of $11bn, while NFL franchises continued to fill the upper tier. The Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants ranked third and fourth, respectively, with the Los Angeles Lakers rounding out the top five.
WORLD’S TOP 10 MOST VALUABLE SPORTS TEAMS
| Rank | Team | League | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Cowboys | NFL | $13.0bn |
| 2 | Golden State Warriors | NBA | $11.0bn |
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams | NFL | $10.5bn |
| 4 | New York Giants | NFL | $10.1bn |
| 5 | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA | $10.0bn |
| 6 | New York Knicks | NBA | $9.75bn |
| 7 | New England Patriots | NFL | $9.0bn |
| 8 | San Francisco 49ers | NFL | $8.6bn |
| 9 | Philadelphia Eagles | NFL | $8.3bn |
| =10 | Chicago Bears | NFL | $8.2bn |
| =10 | New York Yankees | MLB | $8.2bn |
FOOTBALL CLUBS IN FORBES TOP 50
Only four football (soccer) clubs appear in the top 50, a sharp contrast to the NFL’s dominance.
| Club | League | Rank | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 20 | $6.75bn |
| Manchester United | Premier League | =24 | $6.6bn |
| Barcelona | La Liga | 42 | $5.65bn |
| Liverpool | Premier League | =48 | $5.4bn |
Notably, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain dropped out of the top 50 after featuring in the 2024 rankings.
NFL, NBA LEAD GLOBAL VALUATIONS
According to Forbes, 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams rank among the world’s top 50 most valuable franchises, followed by 12 NBA teams. Major League Baseball, Formula One, La Liga, and the Premier League each contributed two teams to the list.
| Team | Sport | Rank | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | MLB | =10 | $8.2bn |
| Ferrari | Formula One | 26 | $6.5bn |
| Mercedes | Formula One | 34 | $6.0bn |
MEDIA RIGHTS DRIVE RECORD VALUATIONS
Forbes estimates the combined value of the top 50 teams exceeds $353 billion (£264bn)—a 22% increase from 2024 and more than double the total from four years ago. The growth is largely attributed to soaring media rights deals, particularly in the NFL and NBA.
As global sports continue to evolve into media-driven businesses, the Dallas Cowboys remain the benchmark—not just as a team, but as the most valuable brand in world sport.
