NEW YORK – The Cowboys are among five NFL teams that have franchise values above $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine's annual survey.
The Cowboys are worth $1.173 billion, ranking them third in the league.
The Washington Redskins have led the list for seven straight years and are worth $1.423 billion, an increase of 13 percent over last year. They have an operating income of $108.4 million, more than double every team except Houston ($57.6 million) and Tampa Bay ($56.9 million).
With the Philadelphia Eagles worth $1.024 billion, three of the five most valuable teams are in the NFC East. The other division member, the New York Giants, are 15th at $890 million.
On the other end of the chart are the Minnesota Vikings, who are worth only $720 million – although that would rank second in major league baseball behind only the New York Yankees, who are worth $1.026 billion.
Only one team, New Orleans (27th at $738 million), has a negative operating income, $4.1 million. The Saints were displaced by Hurricane Katrina last season, playing home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, La.
Yet the Vikings and four others – Oakland ($736 million), San Francisco ($734 million), San Diego ($731 million) and Atlanta ($730 million) – are valued below the Saints.
NFL teams with the highest franchise values, according to Forbes magazine:
| No., Team | Worth | | 1. Washington | $1.423 billion | | 2. New England | $1.176 billion | | 3. Cowboys | $1.173 billion | | 4. Houston | $1.043 billion | | 5. Philadelphia | $1.024 billion | | 6. Denver | $975 million | | 7. Cleveland | $970 million | | 8. Tampa Bay | $955 million | | 9. Baltimore | $946 million | | 10. Chicago | $945 million | |
