Forbes’ Most Valuable Franchises In Sports, Led By Manchester United

Manchester United has 333 million fans around the world. In other words, if Manchester United’s 333 million fans staged a battle royale with America’s 308 million citizens, they’d stand a fighting chance. They’d still lose of course, but only because they’re soccer fans, and we’re badass Americans with completely unnecessary Nike Football combat trucks.

Even so, according to Forbes, the enormous fanbase is a big reason why Man U tops their list of most valuable sports franchises at a cool $1.86 billion. So who’s tops in America?

Hint: It pays to be in the NFL.

That would be Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys, hot on Man U’s tail at $1.81 billion. As Forbes notes, it doesn’t hurt to have 15,000 club seats that go for $340-a-game. 15,000 club seats.

Beyond the Cowboys, Forbes’ top 10 rounds out with the New York Yankees, the Washington Redskins, Real Madrid, the New England Patriots, Arsenal, the New York GIants, Houston Texans, and the New York Jets... Which, wait a second, if 60% of the most valuable franchises play in the NFL, how the f--- are the NFL owners seriously crying poverty during this NFL Lockout? Even the Carolina Panthers are worth more than a billion dollars.

You can check out the whole slideshow for yourself, but seeing the insane wealth behind pro sports will probably just make you angry. For everyone’s sake, let’s hope James Harrison doesn’t read Forbes.