Cowboys top rich list again

NEW YORK: The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable National Football League team for an 11th consecutive year, valued at nearly twice the league average, according to the annual list published by business magazine Forbes on Monday.

The Cowboys, who have reached the play-offs only nine times since winning their last Super Bowl in 1995, are worth US$4.8 billion, up 14% from last year, Forbes said.

Reigning Super Bowl champions New England Patriots ($3.7 billion) were joined by New York Giants ($3.3 billion), Washington Redskins ($3.1 billion) and San Francisco 49ers ($3.05 billion) in the top five.

Forbes calculated the average value of the NFL’s 32 teams at $2.52 billion, an 8 percent jump jump that was driven by hefty TV contracts and new stadiums and stadium renovations that help to generate more revenue from premium seating and amenities.

Globally, the Cowboys are followed by baseball’s New York Yankees at $3.7 billion, a figure the Patriots have now tied. Next in those rankings are three European football giants: Manchester United at $3.69 billion, Barcelona at $3.64 billion, and Real Madrid at $3.58 billion.

Meanwhile, a US judge on Monday rejected an appeal by the NFL seeking to overturn an injunction obtained by Ezekiel Elliott which has allowed the Dallas Cowboys running back to delay his six-game suspension.

Elliott has been left free to play ever since obtaining the injunction against his suspension for a domestic violence case.

The NFL challenged the injunction in federal court in Texas but saw its request for a stay denied, official records showed.

The league will now take its case to an appeals court in New Orleans.

Eliott, 22, was suspended by the league over accusations he assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

The punishment was handed down by commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug 11 after a 13-month league investigation.