In the world of sports, value is everything. From the size of the fan base to the success on the field, a team’s value is constantly changing based on a wide range of factors. In this week’s Top Ten Tuesday—and with the sale of the Washington Commanders apparently wrapping up—we’ll take a look at ten of the most undervalued sports franchises in the world. The values are based on Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s most valuable sports franchises.
10. Carolina Panthers (NFL, $3.60 billion)
The Carolina Panthers have only been in existence since 1995, but they have already made it to two Super Bowls. They have a solid standing in the Carolinas, and new owner David Tepper purchased the team for a then-record $2.2 billion in 2018—and the increase in value over the past handful of years is arguably not enough.
9. Houston Texans (NFL, $4.70 billion)
Despite being one of the newest franchises in the NFL, the Houston Texans have become a solid organization despite the struggles over the past few years. A huge thing the Texans have going for them is simply being in the state of Texas, where football is king. The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, and Houston’s value would rise rapidly with championships.
8. Green Bay Packers (NFL, $4.25 billion)
The Packers are unique in that they are owned by their fans, rather than a single owner. They have a loyal fanbase and a history of success, but are often overlooked in favor of larger market teams. But the passion of the fans at the historic Lambeau Field make it a special place that should probably be valued closer to the top ten.
7. Tennessee Titans (NFL, $3.50 billion)
The Titans have a relatively short history, having moved to Tennessee in 1997. However, they have had success on the field, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2000. And Nashville is one of the quickest growing cities in the United States, which will only help the team’s value when looking ahead.
6. Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, $4.28 billion)
Bayern Munich is one of the most successful clubs in German soccer history, with 32 national titles including an astonishing ten in a row and six European Cup/Champions League wins. However, they play in a smaller market than other European soccer powerhouses like Barcelona and Manchester United.
5. Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, $3.20 billion)
PSG has become one of the most dominant teams in French soccer, with a star-studded roster featuring players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. They are often overshadowed by larger clubs in other European leagues like Real Madrid and Manchester United, but their on-pitch success is not to be denied.
4. San Francisco Giants (MLB, $3.50 billion)
Despite winning three World Series titles in the past decade, the San Francisco Giants’ value as a franchise that’s had legends like Willie Mays and Barry Bonds wear its uniform should probably be higher than it is in the United States’ biggest state in terms of population.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (NFL, $4.90 billion)
The Eagles have a passionate fanbase and have had consistent success over the years, including a Super Bowl win in 2018. Despite this, they don’t get as much love compared other NFL teams with more national recognition. Philadelphia is an historic city, and its fans are widely regarded as among the best in all of sports.
2. Manchester United (Premier League, $4.60 billion)
Manchester United is one of the most successful and recognizable football clubs in the world. However, their value is still underrated considering their status as a global brand. As the most valuable English sports team, Manchester United should arguably be higher than 19th on the overall list.
1. Pittsburg Steelers (NFL, $3.98 billion)
The Steelers have a storied history, with six Super Bowl wins and all-time great players scattered throughout their years of existence. They are tied with the Patriots for the most Super Bowl titles, and—while Pittsburgh isn’t a massive market—the No. 28 overall ranking is shocking. This is also a franchise with unmatched consistency, as they’ve had just three coaches (Chick Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin) since 1969!