• Football Rich List

United top football rich list

ESPN staff
April 19, 2012
Manchester United are flying on and off the pitch © PA Photos
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Manchester United have fended off Europe's big guns to be named the world's richest club for an eighth year in a row.

United had a successful year on the pitch, winning the Premier League title last term, and that was mirrored off the pitch as a commercial deal propelled their value, according to Forbes Magazine, to a huge £1.39 billion.

"Manchester United's global fan base of some 330 million also helps makes it the most valuable team in any sport, worth $385 million more than both Major League Baseball's New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League," the Forbes report said.

"During the 2010-11 season Manchester United reaped $192 million in broadcasting revenue, 22 percent higher than the previous season.

"The club's run last year to the final of the Champions League, where they lost to Barcelona, commanded an $80 million payout from UEFA."

Manchester City are giving chase to United in the league, but they lag way behind in the financial stakes as the Sheikh Mansour-owned club are valued at £276 million - which is only good enough for 13th place.

Arsenal in fourth and Chelsea in seventh are the other two English clubs inside the top ten.

United's nearest challengers in the rich list are Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in second and third respectively. Bayern Munich make up the top five.

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