That annual Forbes list of the 50 most valuable sports franchises came out today and the Green Bay Packers check in at No. 24.
They’ve actually slipped in the rankings. The Packers were No. 18 last year. Despite that, their overall value increased a little bit, from $1.161 billion to $1.183 billion.
Mark Murphy, you’re fired.
The Chicago Bears were the only NFC North team to check in ahead of the Packers. They came in at No. 18. The Vikings are 34th and the Lions are 44th.
As you would probably expect, the top 10 is littered with soccer and NFL clubs. And the Yankees and Dodgers, of course.
Real Madrid is No. 1, with a value of $3.44 billion. The top NFL club is the Dallas Cowboys (No. 5). They’re valued at $2.3 billion. New England, Washington and the Giants are also top 10 teams.
The interesting thing about these valuations is that the Packers even make the top 50 at all. And they do it year after year.
The Packers are at a considerable disadvantage when it comes to making money because they play in, by far, the smallest market in professional sports.
Somehow, the fervor and loyalty — not to mention a fan base that defies boundaries — always makes up for that.
What is unclear to me is what methodology is used to arrive at this value. Obviously they use some sort of creative accounting to arrive at a book value of the facilities owned. That is in part how the Cowboys are worth so much, because of Jerry World. But how do you put a book value on Lambeau Field?
Local television markets also go into it. Problem is that the Pack has a national following, and are doubtlessly a big contingent of Sunday Ticket subscribers as well as sports bar patrons outside of Wisconsin.
It would seem to me that this number is flawed, and almost certainly undervalues what this team is really worth and what it is worth to the League.
Regardless, the beautiful thing about this team is that its purpose is not to line the pockets of such odious persons like Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder or, worst of all, the ethically challenged Zygi Wilf. All the money that goes into the packers is put towards its very reason for being: contending for and winning Super Bowl Championships. Put a value on that, Forbsy.
When does the stock start paying?
GO PACK GO! I’m one day from heading to Titletown and spending some time watching training camp! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!