The Portland Timbers soccer franchise has been ranked as the world’s 29th most valuable soccer team in new data by Sportico, which lists the Timbers’ estimated value at almost $685 million. Revenue in the period from 2021 to 2022 is estimated at around $65 million. According to the ranking, the Timbers are immediately behind Napoli, the Italian Serie A leaders, and English Premier League team West Ham United. The three world’s most valuable clubs, in order, are Manchester United, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona.
Within the top 50 ranking, 18 Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs made the list, with the three highest-ranking MLS clubs at #16-18 overall: LAFC, LA Galaxy, and Atlanta United. Owner Merritt Paulson has listed the Portland Thorns at $60 million as he moves to sell the National Women’s Soccer League club. The sale would reduce the estimated value of the overall Timbers business umbrella that includes the Thorns by $625 million, dropping Portland to 33rd place.
Sportico’s ranking is based on significant research and a novel valuation approach that weighs what a team must surrender to play in its particular league. Both MLS and European leagues have varying degrees of restrictions on corporate ownership and investments by people or groups that hold multiple teams or have existing stakes in competing teams. As a result, restrictions make teams significantly less valuable than their sports league-free market peers.
