6) (Tie) Los Angeles Lakers – Value: $2.6 billion

The Los Angeles Lakers are the most profitable team in the NBA due to their $4 billion 20-year television deal with Time Warner. It is the most valuable franchise in the NBA. Some of the richest NBA players play there.

5) Manchester United – Value: $3.1 billion

Old Trafford-based professional football club Manchester United signed a record $1.1 billion sponsorship licensing deal with Adidas. The team has won 20 league titles, the most of any English club.

4) FC Barcelona – Value: $3.16 billion

This Barcelona-based professional football club’s Champions League win was worth $64 million in prize money. In June 2015, Barcelona became the first European club in history to achieve the continental treble twice.

2) (Tie) New York Yankees – Value: $3.2 billion

Bronx-based American professional baseball team New York Yankees finished tops in the American League in attendance. The average was 42,520 fans per game. The Yankees have won 18 division titles.

2) (Tie) Dallas Cowboys – Value: $3.2 billion

American professional football team Dallas Cowboys is the most valuable NFL team and also the most valuable sports team in the United States of America. It generates over $100 million annually from sponsorships.

1) Real Madrid – Value: 3.26 billion

Madrid-based professional football club Real Madrid is the most valuable sports team in the world for the third straight year. It is ranked first in the latest IFFHS Club World Ranking. Real Madrid leads the current UEFA club rankings.

Sports teams are not happy with these earnings. They are finding new avenues with new streaming services and daily fantasy games. So if you want to own a sports team, just go ahead and do it. This is the right time.