Forbes: Patriots Sixth-Most Valuable Pro Sports Franchise, Worth $2.6B

The New England Patriots already were one of the most successful franchises in professional sports entering 2014. Then they won a Super Bowl.

Apparently all that winning has paid off, as the four-time Super Bowl champs find themselves near the top of yet another list this week. Forbes has released its annual list of the most valuable franchises in professional sports, and the Patriots come in tied with the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 6, with each team valued at $2.6 billion.

The Dallas Cowboys are the only NFL team valued higher than New England, tied for second overall with the New York Yankees at $3.2 billion. The Patriots ranked eighth overall on last year’s list.

The Boston Red Sox aren’t far behind their New England brethren, as they’re the third-most valuable MLB team behind the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers and rank No. 12 overall at $2.1 billion. The Boston Celtics also make the list at No. 20 ($1.7 billion).

For the second consecutive year, though, professional soccer clubs dominate the Top 10. Real Madrid comes in at No. 1, valued at $3.26 billion, while Barcelona (No. 4, $3.16 billion) and Manchester United (No. 5, $3.1 billion) round out the top five.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images