According to Forbes, the average value of the world’s top 25 football clubs is up 8 per cent on last year, to $597 million.
Forbes reports that multi-year broadcasting and sponsorship deals have insulated the top clubs from the effects of the recession. The list now has five clubs worth over $1 billion – Manchester United, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Only the NFL has more billion-dollar teams.
The top 25 clubs posted average operating income – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization – of $42 million during the 2007-08 season, a 20 per cent increase on the previous year.
