27: LIVERPOOL FC

Owners: Tom Hicks/George Gillett
Value: US$801 million

In February 2007, American sports property owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett took over at Liverpool Football Club, the club that dominated English soccer throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The pair, who have a tempestuous relationship, secured the club for UK£218.9 million (US$438 million) including the club’s US$100 million debt. Overall, during the 2007/08 season, the club generated revenues of €210.9 million, made up of broadcasting revenues of €96.4 million, matchday revenues of €49.5 million and commercial revenues of €65 million.

Increasing matchday revenues through a proposed new stadium and increasing commercial revenues – the club’s €7.5 million per year deal with Carlsberg is its only major commercial contract – are major targets for the owners.

Plans for a new, much larger stadium to replace the iconic but comparatively small Anfield, however, stalled through a lack of funding and remain stagnant.

84: Chicago Bulls
130: BMW Sauber F1 Team

The July/August issue of SportsPro magazine features an unprecedented report into the global sports industry, identifying and analysing the world’s 200 most valuable sports properties. For more information about SportsPro magazine, click here.