Four Premier League clubs listed in Forbes’ most profitable sports teams dominated by NFL
According to the most recent Forbes list, Tottenham has been the Premier League’s most financially successful club in the last three years. They have generated an operating income of £333 million ($414m) since 2020.
Manchester United follows closely behind with total earnings of £324m ($403m), while Manchester City lags further behind with earnings of £264m ($329m).
Liverpool, with an operating profit of £237 million ($295m), is the fourth and last team to be included in the top 25 list. These four clubs – Tottenham (ranked 3rd), Manchester United (ranked 5th), Manchester City (ranked 10th), and Liverpool (ranked 12th) – all find themselves within the top 12 positions.
It’s worth noting that they are only separated by NBA and NFL franchises in terms of financial success.
Among the football teams, Bayern Munich is the only other club featured in the top 25. They occupy the 25th position with earnings of $235 million (£189m). However, the figures earned by these football clubs pale in comparison to the enormous profits generated by the Dallas Cowboys, which Forbes has named the most profitable sports club globally.
The Cowboys have accumulated a staggering operating profit of £1 billion ($1.2 billion) over the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. This amount is nearly double that of their closest competitors, the New England Patriots, who have an operating profit of £536 million ($623m) and sit at the top of the list.
The Patriots have a substantial gap of over £200 million ($235m) between themselves and Tottenham. The fourth position on the list is occupied by the New York Knicks, marking the first NBA franchise featured in the rankings.
Despite their championship drought since the 1970s, the New York Knicks maintain their top position in terms of profitability. With earnings of £324 million ($404m), they surpass Manchester United to claim the fourth spot on the list.
Following the Knicks, the Houston Texans rank sixth among NFL teams, followed by the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. The New York Giants complete the first nine names on the list. The Los Angeles Rams are ranked eleventh, positioned between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Other NFL teams featured in the top 25 include the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
In addition to the previously mentioned NBA franchises, four more teams from the NBA are featured in the top 25 list: the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets. However, no Major League Baseball (MLB) or National Hockey League (NHL) teams are included. Forbes suggests that this is partially due to the reliance of baseball and ice hockey on ticket sales, which significantly declined during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the less lucrative broadcasting contracts of MLB and NHL teams are mentioned as a factor that prevents them from matching the financial success of NBA and NFL franchises.
The competitive balance tax imposed on baseball teams is also cited as a reflection of their comparatively lower standing, particularly when compared to sports teams operating under a salary cap, like the NBA.
Nevertheless, the dominant presence of NFL teams stands out as the main story. A total of 13 NFL franchises make up the top 25 list, indicating their significant financial success.
Four Premier League clubs listed in Forbes’ most profitable sports teams dominated by NFL
