Over the years, the world’s most valuable sports brands have transformed into gigantic holding companies, expanding their business on different markets, from sports teams and stadiums to real estate and media. Their values held up really well in the last year, despite the COVID-19 effects on the entire sports industry.
According to data presented by Safe Betting Sites, the world’s five largest sports enterprises hit a $48bn value in 2021. With a valuation of more than $13bn, Liberty Media ranked as the leading sports empire globally.
Liberty Ranked for the First Time, Kroenke Sports` Valuation Up by $330M in a Year
The Forbes list of the largest sports enterprises in 2021 showed Liberty Media is the most valuable sports empire globally. The $13bn worth mass media company ranked for the first time on the Forbes list, after a change to the methodology to include both passive owners and those who also manage their teams. Controlled by billionaire John Malone, Liberty owns Formula One, MLB’s Atlanta Braves, and has partial ownership of the Drone Racing League and Denver’s Ball Arena.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which houses the wide-ranging sports assets of Stanley Kroenke, ranked as the second-largest sports enterprise in 2021 with a valuation of $8.73bn.
Kroenke’s empire began with purchasing the NBA’s Denver Nuggets along with the Pepsi Center and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche in 2000 for a combined $400 million. Today, his sports enterprise owns Los Angeles Rams, Arsenal, Colorado Rapids, Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Los Angeles Gladiators, and Los Angeles Guerrillas.
The Forbes data revealed the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s valuation jumped by $330 million in the last year, despite the COVID-19.
Yankee Global Enterprises Hit $6.39B Value, a $290M Increase in a Year
American billionaire, the owner, president, and general manager of the NFL‘s Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones has the third-most-valuable sports empire globally. His $6.98bn worth properties also include The Star, Legends Hospitality, and CompLexity Gaming.
Jones` trophy asset, the Dallas Cowboys, which he purchased along with the operating rights to Texas Stadium for $150 million in 1989, were the most valuable sports team worldwide in 2020, with an estimated value of $5.5bn. Statistics show the valuation of Jones’ empire rose by $8 million in the last year, up from $6.9bn in 2019.
Fenway Sports Group ranked fourth on the list of the most valuable sports enterprises on the planet. FSG’s assets, worth $6.6 billion or the same as in 2019, come from English soccer, baseball, Nascar, sports marketing, and cable TV. Its properties include Boston Red Sox, Liverpool, NESN, Roush Fenway Racing, and Fenway Sports Management.
Statistics also show the net worth of John W. Henry, Fenway’s biggest shareholder, hit $2.8bn in March, a $200 million increase in a year.
With a valuation of $6.39bn, or $290 million more than a year ago, Yankee Global Enterprises ranked as the fifth most valuable sports enterprise globally. The company managed by the Steinbrenner family owns the New York Yankees baseball team, 26% of YES Network and 20% of the New York City FC soccer team, and the Forbes data revealed its valuation rose by $290 million in the last year.
As the company’s most valuable asset, the franchise value of the New York Yankees team also increased significantly, jumping from $4.6bn in 2019 to $5bn in 2020.
