MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Manchester United retains title as the world’s most valuable sports team, says Forbes

The Red Devils ready for listing in Wall Street is valued at 2.23 billion dollars

English football club Manchester United retained their title as the world's most valuable sports team, according to an annual top 50 list released by Forbes on Monday that was dominated by National Football League (NFL) franchises.

The 19-times English champions, who are preparing for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, were valued at 2.23 billion dollars, up from 1.86 billion last year and 19% above No. 2 Real Madrid 1.88 billion.

All 32 NFL franchises made the top 50 list with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion New York Giants all securing spots in the top 10.

The only teams in the top 10 that do not play football or American football were Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, who were tied at third with the Cowboys, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were tied with the Patriots at No. 6.

The top 50 list included seven football teams, with Arsenal falling three places to 10th overall and Barcelona rising 18 spots to eighth.

Ferrari was the top motor racing team listed at 15th, while the New Knicks, in 43rd place, were the lone National Basketball Association franchise to make the list.