Manchester United has been named the world’s most valuable soccer club, with 20 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the world’s top 50 list.
According to figures compiled by Sportico, United are valued at $6.2bn (£4.96bn), ahead of Real Madrid ($6.06bn), Barcelona ($5.28bn) and Liverpool ($5.11bn). ($4.8 billion), with Bayern Munich ($4.8 billion) in the top five.
Los Angeles FC ($1.15 billion) is the 15th highest-paid club in MLS, with Atlanta United, Inter Miami, LA Galaxy and New York City FC all in the top 20.
The Premier League is the second most represented league on the list, with nine clubs in the top 50. However, their cumulative valuation is $29 billion, almost double that of MLS’s 20 clubs ($15.1 billion).
La Liga clubs have the third-highest league total at $13 billion. However, only three clubs (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid) are on the list.
Six Serie A clubs are on the list, but none are in the top 10: Juventus (11th, $1.77 billion), Milan (14th, $1.2 billion), and Inter (16th, $1.2 billion). ($1.06 billion), making it the most valuable club in Italy.
However, four clubs in Germany’s Bundesliga ($7.6 billion) exceed Serie A’s valuation ($6.1 billion), and Ligue 1 ($4.8 billion) ranks fifth among clubs representing European leagues. ing.
The top 50 also includes three clubs from Liga MX (America, Guadalajara and Monterrey) and one club from the Dutch Eredivisie (Ajax), Portugal’s Primeira Liga (Benfica) and Brazil’s Serie A (Flamengo). .
The Sportico model of club valuation is similar to the Forbes Football Rich List and similarly monitors and calculates the total value of football clubs. In the latest Forbes list published in May 2023, Real Madrid has been named the world’s most valuable club, ahead of Manchester United.
Atlanta United and LAFC are the two most valuable clubs in MLS (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
How are the numbers calculated?
Sportico calculates its revenue sources based on figures published by club accounts.
Revenue figures are broken down into three categories: broadcast, commercial and matchday.
Broadcasting consists of domestic and international media contracts and contest prizes.
Commercial income is based on sponsorship, advertising, corporate hospitality, catering and income from non-match day events, with kit and stadium sponsorship deals helping to drive these numbers.
Match day revenue comes from ticket sales, membership income, cup competitions and pre-season tickets.
Additionally, Sportico said it uses “team-specific multipliers,” which are based on “past sales, market (size, saturation, interest by future owners), brand strength, and on-field performance.” “It is based on multiple factors, including (past performance).” , and recently), facility lease terms, debt obligations and additional obligations, and anticipated future team and league economic conditions. This also includes external factors such as whether the club is at risk of being relegated.
even deeper
How would you rate a football club?
Why are MLS clubs so valuable?
MLS revenues are low, with clubs rarely making a profit and unable to take advantage of the funding provided by UEFA in European competitions. So why does the club stand out so much on the list?
Sportico says MLS clubs’ valuations are boosted by factors such as “cost controls, modern stadiums, and a single legal entity structure that fosters ownership cooperation.”
The lack of relegation from MLS adds stability to MLS ratings and increases the minimum income level.
The league’s reputation has also been boosted by a 10-year broadcast deal with Apple and increased global visibility thanks to a string of high-profile players joining Inter Miami, including Lionel Messi, with the United States also one of the host nations. It becomes one. 2026 World Cup.
even deeper
Tifo Video: Why are MLS franchises so valuable?
(Mike Egerton/PA Image via Getty Images)