From Blooberg
Manchester United tops Forbes magazine’s list of the most valuable soccer clubs for the sixth straight year with an estimated market value of $1.8 billion.
The 18-time English champion, controlled by the Florida- based Glazer family, is followed by record nine-time European Cup winner Real Madrid, with a value $1.3 billion. London-based Arsenal, the subject of takeover speculation, completes the top three with a $1.2 billion valuation.
Forbes determined the value using previous sales, broadcast agreements and debt from stadium construction. Real was ranked as soccer’s richest team by revenue in a review published by accountant Deloitte last month. United was third, behind European champion Barcelona.
The top five clubs claimed 86 percent of the $5.5 billion revenue of European soccer’s top 20 clubs for the 2008-09 season “because their worldwide following allows them to grab much more sponsorship and media revenue,” Forbes said yesterday in a statement.
The magazine valued Barcelona at $1 billion, ranking it fourth, ahead of Germany’s Bayern Munich, which it said was worth $990 million.
From Forbes
Look closer and it becomes clear that the wealthiest clubs have a big advantage over their competitors because they are global brands, which allows them to generate more revenue outside their home market from sponsorships, merchandise and broadcasting.
The prime example is Manchester United, the most valuable club in the world, worth $1.84 billion. Man U's Club TV Channel is shown in over 192 million homes. The club claims 333 million followers and 139 million core fans. Beginning next season Man U will have a new shirt sponsorship with Aon ( AON - news - people ) that will bring in $34 million a year over four years, 50% more than its current deal with AIG ( AIG - news - people ). The Nike ( NKE - news - people ) swoosh will continue to adorn the shirt as well thanks to a 13-year pact with the apparel maker that pays the team $470 million plus a 50% share of profits on specific merchandise through 2015. Man U posted operating income of $150 million last year, the most of any team, while their media revenue of $164 million was tops in the English Premiership. Despite the club's huge success on the pitch since Malcolm Glazer bought them in 2005, the locals are unhappy with the $839 million of debt Glazer has saddled the club with and are hoping to raise enough money to buy him out.
FORBES’ TOP TEN SOCCER TEAMS BY VALUE, SEASON 2008-09
CLUB VALUE (USD MILLIONS)
1. Manchester United 1,835
2. Real Madrid 1,323
3. Arsenal 1,181
4. Barcelona 1,000
5. Bayern Munich 990
6. Liverpool 822
7. AC Milan 800
8. Juventus 656
9. Chelsea 646
10. Inter Milan 413
No comments:
Post a Comment