Team 2013 2013Value Rev. O.I.1.) Dallas 3.2 560 2462.) New England 2.6 428 1473.) Washington 2.4 395 1434.) NY Giants 2.1 353 875.) Houston 1.85 339 1036.) NY Jets 1.8 333 807.) Philadelphia 1.75 330 738.) Chicago 1.7 309 579.) San Francisco 1.6 270 2510.) Baltimore 1.5 304 5711.) Denver 1.45 301 3112.) Indianapolis 1.4 285 6113.) Green Bay 1.375 299 2614.) Pittsburgh 1.35 287 5215.) Seattle 1.33 288 2716.) Miami 1.3 281 817.) Carolina 1.25 283 5618.) Tampa Bay 1.225 275 4619.) Tennessee 1.16 278 3620.) Minnesota 1.15 250 521.) Atlanta 1.125 264 1322.) Cleveland 1.12 276 3523.) New Orleans 1.11 278 5024.) Kansas City 1.1 260 1025.) Arizona 1.0 266 4326.) San Diego 0.995 262 4027.) Cincinnati 0.990 258 1228.) Oakland 0.970 244 4329.) Jacksonville 0.965 263 5730.) Detroit 0.960 254 1631.) Buffalo 0.935 252 3832.) St. Louis 0.930 250 16
NEW YORK - The Dallas Cowboys are the first U.S. sports franchise to top $3 billion in value.
For the eighth straight year, the Cowboys are worth the most of all 32 NFL franchises, according to Forbes. They're valued at $3.2 billion; only Real Madrid at $3.4 billion is worth more among global franchises.
Dallas posted the NFL's highest revenue, $560 million, and operating income, $246 million. That was far ahead of second-place New England, worth $2.6 billion and with $428 million in revenues, $147 million in operating income.
But the Patriots had the biggest increase since last year, up 44 percent in value. Dallas was up 39 percent.
The average NFL franchise value for 2014 is $1.43 billion, the highest in the 17 years the business magazine has tracked professional football. That shows a 23 percent increase, the largest in one year since 1999.
Forbes determines team values using equity plus net debt figures, and accounts for each team's current stadium situation, with adjustments for pending new stadiums and renovations to existing ones.
Washington ($2.4 billion) is third in value, increasing 41 percent since the last rankings, and the New York Giants ($2.1 billion) are fourth.
For the 2013 season, the average NFL team generated record revenue of $299 million and operating income of $53 million. Each franchise received a record $170 million of national revenue, mainly from league broadcasting and licensing fees.
At the bottom are Buffalo, worth $935 million and currently for sale after owner Ralph Wilson's death, and St. Louis at $930 million. But every team increased in worth, the lowest rise being Arizona at 4 percent.
Franchise values of NFL teams before 2014 season, according to Forbes magazine (Value listed in billions; 2013 Revenue and Operating Income listed in millions):