The coronavirus outbreak left a huge impact on the entire sports industry, with seasons at risk, revenues plunging and fans staying at home.

However, the world’s most valuable sports clubs managed to increase their worth, despite the COVID-19 crisis.

According to data presented by Safe Betting, the world’s top five sports teams reached $23.8bn in brand value in 2020, a $3bn increase in a year.

Combined Value of Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees Jumped by $900 Million

With a $5.5bn brand value in 2020, Dallas Cowboys represent the most valuable sports teams globally, revealed the Forbes and Statista data. The five-time Super Bowl winner has topped the Forbes list of the 50 Most Valuable Teams for five years in a row.

In 2015, the club’s franchise value amounted to $4bn. This figure rose by 25% in the next four years to $5bn. Also, America’s Team generated over $870 million in revenue in 2019, 81% percent more than the average of the other 31 NFL teams. Statistics show that the Dallas Cowboys’ franchise value jumped by $500 million since 2019, a 10% jump in a year, despite the coronavirus outbreak.

The New York Yankees ranked as the second most valuable sports club globally, with $5bn in brand value, half a million less than the leading Dallas Cowboys. The Forbes data also revealed the franchise value of the famous American baseball club significantly increased over the years. In 2010, it amounted to $1.6bn. In the next five years, this figure doubled and hit $3.2bn. The increasing trend continued in the following years, with the value jumping to $4.6bn in 2019. Statistics show the New York Yankees’ franchise value rose by $400 million or 9% during the last twelve months.

Brand Value of Top Three NBA Teams Rose by $2.1bn

As the third most-valuable sports club globally, the New York Knicks’ brand value grew by 15% in the last year, rising from $4bn in 2019 to $4.6bn in 2020. Statistics also indicate that the professional American basketball team’s value surged by $2.2bn or 91% in the last five years.

The Los Angeles Lakers took the fourth place on the Forbes list of the 50 Most Valuable Teams in 2020, with $4.4bn in brand value, a 19% increase in a year. In the season 2018/19, the revenue of the Lakers’ franchise amounted to $434 million, a 48% increase in five years.

Golden State Warriors complete the list of the five most valuable sports clubs in the world. The Oakland-based professional basketball team hit $4.3bn in franchise value in 2020, a 22% jump year-on-year. Statistics show the brand value of the top three NBA teams surged by 18% year-on-year to $2.1bn in 2020.