COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 9: Columbus lifts the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the 2023 MLS Cup vs. Los Angeles FC at Lower.com Field on December 9, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. – Crew owner Dee Haslam. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) โ The 2023 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew will be playing in their first Continental Cup Final as one of the most valuable soccer clubs on the planet.
Sportico has released its annual report on the world's 50 most valuable soccer teams, and the Columbus Crew is one of 20 Major League Soccer teams to make the list. The Crew ranked 37th with an estimated valuation of $650 million, one spot ahead of FC Cincinnati ($645 million). Columbus, which won its third MLS Cup title last season, has a reported revenue of $73 million in 2022-23.
To determine each team's valuation, Sportico said it used public financial records to calculate each team's revenue. Valuation is comprised of factors such as media deals, sponsorships, advertising, ticket sales, membership revenue, and prize money. These numbers are calculated based on “team-specific multipliers” such as past sales, market size, brand strength, and on-field performance.
MLS has the most teams of any league in the world, with 20 of its 29 clubs ranking in the top 50. No club finished in the top 10, but five finished in the top 20, four of which were valued at more than $1 billion. Los Angeles FC was determined to be the most valuable at $1.15 billion. The Crew became the 13th most valuable team in MLS.
The Apple TV deal, Lionel Messi's arrival in Miami, and MLS' recent success in the CONCACAF tournament have helped the league grow each club's brand.
As expected, European teams continue to dominate the soccer and sports worlds. Manchester United of the English Premier League took first place with a valuation of $6.2 billion. Real Madrid, Barcelona, โโLiverpool and Bayern Munich rounded out the top five.
Columbus will welcome three European clubs this summer, which could help increase the Crew's value. The Black and Gold will host Aston Villa (44th) in an exhibition on June 27th. On August 3rd, EPL clubs Manchester City (6th place) and Chelsea (10th place) will face off at the Ohio Stadium.
The Crew is scheduled to face FC Cincinnati in a “Hell is Real” derby match Saturday at Lower.com Field. On June 1, Columbus will play Pachuca of Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup title, aiming to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.