Forbes Ranks Patriots The 6th Most Valuable Sports Franchise
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots are the sixth-most valuable team in the world of sports, according to Forbes.
The Patriots, valued at $3.2 billion, are second among NFL teams on Forbes' list, which make up 27 of the top 50 franchises. The only NFL team ranked ahead of New England is the Dallas Cowboys, who at $4 billion are the most-valuable franchise in the world. It's the first time a non-soccer club has topped the list since Forbes began ranking franchises in 2011.
The Patriots have now claimed the second-most valuable spot in the NFL for three straight years. But they fall back a bit on the global stage after being ranked third-overall in 2015.
Real Madrid (valued at $3.65 billion), Barcelona ($3.55 billion), the New York Yankees ($3.4 billion) and Manchester United ($3.32 billion) round out Forbes' Top 5 after the Cowboys.
Elsewhere in New England sports, the Boston Red Sox are tied with the Chicago Bulls for 18th, with both franchises valued at $2.3 billion, while the Boston Celtics rank 22nd at $2.1 billion.