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Man U ranked most valuable franchise by Forbes

FRANCHISES: Manchester United is the most valuable franchise in sports at $2.23 billion, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey.

The English Premier League team, owned by the same American family that owns the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is ranked on top thanks to lucrative global sponsorship deals.

Second is another soccer team, Real Madrid, at $1.88 billion. The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys are tied for third at $1.85 billion.

Rounding out the top five are the Washington Redskins at $1.56 billion.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New England Patriots are tied for sixth at $1.40 billion, followed by FC Barcelona at $1.31 billion, the New York Giants at $1.30 billion, and Arsenal at $1.29 billion. The Dodgers recently were sold for $2 billion, the most for any professional sports team.

All 32 NFL teams make the list of 50 most valuable franchises, with the Jacksonville Jaguars last among the pro football clubs at $725 million.

Seven Major League Baseball teams earned spots, with the Texas Rangers the lowest at $674 million, No. 50 overall.

The highest value for an NBA team belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers at $900 million, 35th overall. Only one other NBA franchise, the New York Knicks, make the list at $780 million, No. 43.

No NHL clubs made the survey, but two from Formula One racing were included: Ferrari at $1.1 billion to rank 15th, and McLaren at $800 million.

Associated Press

Federer passes Sampras at No. 1

TENNIS: Roger Federer surpassed Pete Sampras on Monday to set the record for the most weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

After winning Wimbledon a week ago, Federer returned to the top for the first time since June 2010. Monday marked his 287th week at No. 1, one more than Sampras.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion first became No. 1 in 2004 and said it was an “amazing feeling” to be back at the top.

“I am extremely proud and honored to have beaten Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero and I have always looked up to him,” Federer said.

Federer spent 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1 between February 2004 and August 2008.

“Great effort,” Sampras said. “The hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top.”

Associated Press