CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns, owned by Randy Lerner, are ranked by Forbes as the 30th most valuable sports team in the world, with a worth of $977 million.
The Browns' value, however, is just the 20th highest among the NFL's 32 teams.
Forbes ranks the 50 most valuable sports teams in the world. The two richest values belong to the famed soccer teams Manchester United ($2.23 billion) and Real Madrid ($1.88 billion).
The top American teams are tied at No. 3: MLB's New York Yankees and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys at $1.85 billion each.
The Browns, of course, have not been an artistic success in recent years, as Forbes notes.
About the Browns' ranking, Forbes.com writes:
The Browns were 4-12 last season; the Lions, with a team considered one of football's most promising, were 10-6.The Browns have lost 67% of their games and made the playoffs just once since the franchise was reborn in Cleveland in 1999. The only team that has lost more games since is the Detroit Lions. Browns fans remain among the most loyal supporters in the NFL, allowing the team to charge one of the highest radio rights fees in football. The Browns hope stud running back Trent Richardson--the third pick in the 2012 draft--can turn around the team's fortunes.
MLB's Cleveland Indians and the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers are not included in the top 50. However, no team from the Indians' American League Central Division nor the Cavs' Eastern Conference Central Division are on the list.
The Browns' American Football Conference North Division rivals are all in the top 50: the Baltimore Ravens ($1.09 billion), 18th overall, 10th among NFL teams; the Pittsburgh Steelers ($1.02 billion), 21st overall, 13th among NFL teams; the Cincinnati Bengals ($875 million), 37th overall, 25th among NFL teams.
The Ravens, of course, were the original Browns. Former owner Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore following the 1995 season.
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