Cowboys still sit atop global rich list

With the NFL’s top sponsorship and premium seating revenues, the Dallas Cowboys were named the world’s most valuable sports team by Forbes magazine this week in its annual top-50 ranking.

The Cowboys, who have not won a Super Bowl since 1996, jumped five percent in value to $4.2 billion to defend their 2016 position. Last year they unseated Spanish soccer powerhouse Real Madrid atop the global list.

The 32-team NFL is the world’s richest league, with an average operating profit of $91 million and no club turning less than a $26 million profit. A major reason for that was the latest NFL television package bringing annual revenues of $7 billion.

The Cowboys also boast a $1.5 billion team practice facility and headquarters that will become a retail and entertainment complex with hotels, medical center and convention center. An exclusive club offers members the chance to watch Cowboys workouts.