Cowboys rule the rich list as English giants cash in: NFL muscle dwarfs Europe’s elite

Sportico’s latest rich list (as of 13 August 2025) is in, and it’s a resounding win for American football’s accountants. The Dallas Cowboys are out on their own at a mind-bending $12.8bn – the only franchise north of $12bn – while the rest of the NFL’s blue bloods form an orderly queue behind them. For those of us on this side of the pond, there’s still plenty to cheer: Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and more are keeping football’s flag flying among the planet’s heaviest hitters.

The headline act: Cowboys in a league of their own

Let’s start at the top. Jerry Jones’ Cowboys aren’t just first; they’re a postcode ahead. With annual revenue topping $1.25bn, they eclipse even the second-placed Los Angeles Rams ($10.43bn) and the New York Giants ($10.25bn). The NFL’s model – shared media money, stadium mastery, and year-round buzz – remains a licence to print money.

Premier League presence: United and Liverpool lead the line

Manchester United crack the top 30 at $6.09bn, a reminder that Old Trafford’s commercial engine remains one of the sport’s great cash machines despite on-pitch ups and downs. Liverpool aren’t far behind on the overall list at $5.59bn, buoyed by a global fanbase that buys into the football and the brand in equal measure. Manchester City’s dominance of recent seasons shows in cold hard cash too: $5.16bn and rising. Arsenal ($4.49bn) and Spurs ($3.68bn) round out England’s big-market pull, with Chelsea at $3.57bn after a trophy-laden 2024/25 that included the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup.

Spain’s heavyweights remain massive: Real Madrid stand at $6.53bn, while Barcelona sit at $5.71bn. Bayern Munich’s machine rolls on at $5.21bn, and PSG slot in at $4.26bn – proof that winning domestically is one thing, but building global commercial heft is another challenge entirely.

Across the Atlantic: the NFL’s iron grip

Scan the top 20 and you’ll see why American football runs this market. The 49ers ($8.6bn), Patriots ($8.76bn), Eagles ($8.43bn), and Dolphins ($8.25bn) are all in the elite bracket. The Jets ($8.11bn) headline those just outside the top 10. Even the storied Lakers are only 12th overall at $8.07bn, which tells you everything about the NFL’s financial gravity.

Hoops and homers: NBA and MLB still pack a punch

The NBA’s crown jewel is the Golden State Warriors at $9.14bn – an astonishing number for a team that’s turned star power and savvy ownership into a valuation juggernaut. The Knicks ($8.3bn) are right behind thanks to the world’s most famous arena and a fanbase that never sleeps. In baseball, the Yankees predictably lead the way at $8.39bn, with the Dodgers ($7.73bn) and Red Sox ($6.03bn) reinforcing MLB’s staying power.

F1 on full throttle

Formula One’s commercial renaissance continues to bite. Ferrari clocks in at $4.78bn, Mercedes at $3.94bn and Red Bull at $3.5bn. McLaren ($2.65bn) and Aston Martin ($2.2bn) bookend the top 100, but don’t be fooled – the sport’s revenue engine is humming, aided by global series appeal and booming sponsorship portfolios.

The bigger picture: what the money’s really saying

This isn’t just a list; it’s a map of modern sport’s power bases. The NFL dominates because it sells scarcity and spectacle in a closed league with cost certainty. Football’s giants thrive on global scale – shirt sales in Seoul, streaming in São Paulo, stadium tours in Shanghai. And where clubs marry on-pitch credibility with commercial clarity, valuations surge.

For fans, none of this will change how a Saturday feels when the whistle blows. But for owners and would-be investors, this is the scoreboard that matters. If you’re tracking the business side or sizing up the markets, our guide to the best betting sites is a handy companion to the numbers.

UK club-by-club takeaways

United’s $6.09bn position underscores the enduring power of a truly global brand, now backed by the INEOS era. Liverpool’s $5.59bn reflects sustained elite performance and sharp operations under FSG. City’s $5.16bn valuation is the financial echo of their domestic dominance. Arsenal’s $4.49bn shows there’s a premium on tradition plus a revitalised side. Spurs at $3.68bn benefit hugely from a world-class stadium, while Chelsea’s $3.57bn reminds us that silverware still shifts the dial.

Bottom line

Money talks, and right now it’s got an American drawl. But European football’s heavyweights aren’t exactly short of change – they’re just playing a different financial game. Expect the gaps to ebb and flow with broadcasting cycles, stadium projects, and – yes – trophies. For now, though, the Cowboys sit atop the money mountain, and everyone else is chasing their tail.