Manchester United: The world’s 8th most valuable sports property

8: Manchester United

Owner: Malcolm Glazer
Value: US$1.495 billion

Manchester United, the English Premier League champions, took record annual revenues of US$412 million during the 2007/08 season. Ticket revenue grew by 10 per cent year on year to US$162.5 million – testament to the club's ability to sell out its 76,200-capacity stadium on a regular basis. Broadcast revenue, meanwhile, increased by 44 per cent to US$146.8 million.

The overall value is made up from the enterprise value of debt plus equity. Since 2005, the club has been owned by American sports entrepreneur Malcolm Glazer, owner of NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Glazer installed his sons to run it. He paid around US$1.2 billion and most of it (US$1 billion) was debt. That debt was refinanced in 2006, but there is still enough left over for manager Sir Alex Ferguson to be able to splash US$60-US$70 million on net transfer fees and still stay within budget.

The property shares, along with Real Madrid, the title of world's richest soccer club.

12: New York Yankees
27: Liverpool FC
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.

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