Cowboys top Forbes' list of world's most profitable sports teams
Jerry Jones' purchase of the Dallas Cowboys continues to pay off in a big way for the 80-year-old.
A new study by Forbes ranking the top 25 most profitable sports teams in the world found that the Cowboys generated more operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) in the past three years than any other NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, or soccer franchise.
The Cowboys claimed the top spot on the list with a total operating income of $1.17 billion during the three-year span. The New England Patriots came in second at $623 million, followed by Tottenham Hotspur in third at $414 million.
Here's the top 10:
| Rank | Team | League | 3-Year Total Operating Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dallas Cowboys | NFL | $1.171B |
| 2. | New England Patriots | NFL | $623M |
| 3. | Tottenham Hotspur | EPL | $414M |
| 4. | New York Knicks | NBA | $404M |
| 5. | Manchester United | EPL | $403M |
| 6. | Houston Texans | NFL | $356M |
| 7. | Golden State Warriors | NBA | $348M |
| T-8. | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA | $333M |
| T-8. | New York Giants | NFL | $333M |
| 9. | Manchester City | EPL | $329M |
| 10. | Los Angeles Rams | NFL | $318M |
Jones purchased the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million, which, at the time, was the highest price ever paid for an NFL team. The Cowboys are now worth $8 billion.