New York, NY

Forbes Magazine has estimated the value of Dallas Cowboys at a "conservative" $2.1 billion, making them the NFL's first and only $2-billion franchise.

According to Forbes executive editor Michael Ozanian, the value was reached after taking into account the Cowboys' $80 million sponsorship income, their state-of-the art stadium and their own merchandise distribution line to retailers.

Owner Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million, an increase of 715 percent increase to today's value, including inflation.

With a value of $2.23 billion, football's Manchester United is the only franchise worth more than the Cowboys, who ruled the Forbes' NFL list for the sixth consecutive year.

With a price tag of $1.63 billion, the New England Patriots have overtaken the Washington Redskins ($1.6 billion) for second place while the New York Giants, valued at $1.46 billion, landed in fourth and the Houston Texans rounded out the top five at $1.3 billion.

The magazine estimated the net worth of the New York Jets at about $200 million less than the Giants, who, Ozanian said, are bringing in $27 million more in revenue.

The magazine also reported that the Cincinnati Bengals lost value from last season, from $875 million to $871 million while the Minnesota Vikings ($975 million) and the San Francisco 49ers ($1.17 billion) were the biggest gainers in terms of value, jumping their price 22 and 19 percent, respectively.

According to Forbes, the NFL has 20 teams -- the most in any league - worth more than $1 billion, up from 15 last year.

Also worth $1 billion or more are the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

Like the previous years, the NFL and its clubs did not open all its financials to Forbes.

"I can look at any particular year and have issues with how teams are valued," NFL executive vice president Eric Grubman told ESPN.com. "But over time, Forbes has proven that they are in the right zip code and they also are accurate as to what teams are higher and lower than others based on what happens with subsequent team sales."

 

Why the Cowboys are worth over $2B

 

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