Dallas Cowboys top list of most profitable sports teams in 2025

The Dallas Cowboys, a team from , continues to dominate the sports business scene, leading the list prepared by Forbes of the most profitable teams in the world in 2025, with an estimated operating profit of US$564 million, approximately R$3.4 billion.

With a market value of US$10.1 billion, the team owned by billionaire Jerry Jones is also the most valuable sports team on the planet.

The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots, two other NFL franchises, rank second and third, respectively, with operating profits of $286 million and $261 million.

According to Forbesthe 20 most profitable teams in the world together generated US$3.9 billion in operating profit, a 12% increase over the previous year.

The list includes nine franchises from the NFL, five from the NBA, three from the NHL and three from the Premier League.

NFL teams have an advantage in this competition by receiving an average of US$323 million in media and sponsorship deals before even selling a single ticket to their games.

This financial structure allows teams to operate with large profit margins, while the league maintains tight control over spending with a salary cap system.

But the Cowboys stand out not only for their media revenue, but also for their ability to generate nearly $800 million in local revenue from ticket, concession and merchandise sales.

While NFL teams report rising profits, the situation is different in football leagues, where traditional teams like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have faced significant operating losses over the past year.

According to Forbesthe shift in profitability expectations also reflects a transformation in team ownership, with private equity firms and institutional investors increasingly interested in acquiring stakes in sports franchises.

The NFL, for example, has begun allowing private equity funds to acquire minority stakes, making it an attractive target for these investors.

Additionally, the NBA’s new media negotiations, which will take effect next season, promise to significantly increase revenue for basketball teams.

The list of the 20 most profitable teams is a reflection of operating profit estimates for the most recent season. The analysis of Forbes includes information from team executives, banks and consultants, as well as public documents and sponsorship and broadcast industry executives.

Check out the list of the most profitable sports teams in 2025 prepared by Forbes:

1. Dallas Cowboys
   League: NFL
   Value: US$ 10.1 billion
   Owner: Jerry Jones
   Profit: US$564 million
2. Los Angeles Rams
   League: NFL
   Value: US$7.6 billion
   Owner: E. Stanley Kroenke
   Profit: US$286 million
3. New England Patriots
   League: NFL
   Value: US$7.4 billion
   Owner: Robert Kraft
   Profit: US$261 million
4. Edmonton Oilers
   League: NHL
   Value: US$2.65 billion
   Profit: US$213 million
5. Los Angeles Lakers
   League: NBA
   Value: US$7.1 billion
   Owners: Family Trusts of Jerry Buss, Mark Walter, Todd Boehly
   Profit: US$199 million
6. New York Giants
   League: NFL
   Value: US$7.3 billion
   Owners: John Mara, Steven Tisch
   Profit: US$190 million
7. Manchester United
   Liga: Premier League
   Value: US$6.55 billion
   Owners: Glazer Family, James Ratcliffe
   Profit: US$187 million
8. New York Knicks
   League: NBA
   Value: US$7.5 billion
   Owner: Madison Square Garden Sports
   Profit: US$182 million
9. Houston Texans
   League: NFL
   Value: US$6.1 billion
   Owner: Cal McNair
   Profit: US$164 million
10. Tottenham Hotspur
    Liga: Premier League
    Value: US$3.2 billion
    Owners: Joseph Lewis Family Trust, Daniel Levy
    Profit: US$161 million
11. Houston Rockets
    League: NBA
    Value: US$4.9 billion
    Owner: Tilman Fertitta
    Profit: US$160 million
12. Washington Commanders
    League: NFL
    Value: US$6.3 billion
    Owner: Josh Harris
    Profit: US$160 million
13. Dallas Mavericks
    League: NBA
    Value: US$4.7 billion
    Owners: Adelson Family, Mark Cuban
    Profit: US$158 million
14. Philadelphia Eagles
    League: NFL
    Value: US$6.6 billion
    Owner: Jeffrey Lurie
    Profit: US$158 million
15. Manchester City
    Liga: Premier League
    Value: US$5.1 billion
    Owner: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
    Profit: US$148 million
16. Indianapolis Colts
    League: NFL
    Value: US$4.8 billion
    Owner: James Irsay
    Profit: US$146 million
17. San Francisco 49ers
    League: NFL
    Value: US$6.8 billion
    Owner: York Family
    Profit: US$144 million
18. Los Angeles Kings
    League: NHL
    Value: US$2.9 billion
    Owner: Philip Anschutz
    Profit: US$143 million
19. Golden State Warriors
    League: NBA
    Value: US$8.8 billion
    Owners: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber
    Profit: US$142 million
20. Montreal Canadiens
    League: NHL
    Value: US$3 billion
    Owner: Molson Family
    Profit: US$142 million