Manchester United have been ranked soccer’s most valuable team by Forbes magazine for the sixth straight year as a group of investors and fans try to buy the heavily indebted club.
The US business magazine’s valuation is US$1.8 billion, but the Glazer family owners are resisting the hostile Red Knights campaign to buy the 18-time English champions and their debt of US$1.1 billion.
Based on Forbes’ estimation, which takes into account revenue growth, profitability and debt levels in the 2008-2009 season, United is the most valuable sports team in the world.
Real Madrid are second in the list at US$1.323 billion, with Arsenal third at US$1.181 billion — the same top three as last year.
Barcelona have leapt to fourth from seventh after winning the Champions League plus a Spanish league and cup double last season, taking Bayern Munich’s place after the German side’s value dropped by 11 percent to US$990 million.
Liverpool, who are sixth at US$822 million, are looking for a US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr are confident that their off-field activities this year have increased the value of the club, despite being unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The top 10 is completed by AC Milan (US$800 million), Juventus (US$656 million), Chelsea (US$646 million) and Inter (US$413 million).
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
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