Forbes has released its annual list of the 40 most valuable brands in sports for 2014. The list features some old mainstays at the top and some new up-and-comers climbing the ranks, making it the "Game of Thrones" of the sports world.
The list's criteria consists of the "10 most valuable sports brands in each of four categories-business, events, teams and athletes-and quantifies the earning power of each brand relative to its competitors," writes Mike Ozanian.
Basically, each category has its own top 10. Shall we dive in for a closer look?
Top Athlete: LeBron James
James takes the top spot from Tiger Woods, who has sat atop the throne since Forbes began making this list way back in 2007. Robert Baratheon would be proud of this usurper. According to Forbes, James netted $53 million away from basketball last year and has a brand value of $37 million. It seems his return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers is just as beneficial off the court as it will be on it.
Athlete Newcomer: Rafael Nadal
But James should watch his back because as "Thrones" fans know all too well, "The night is dark and full of terrors." Nadal makes the list for the first time after winning two Grand Slams last year. His brand value of $10 million is helped by the $14.5 million he earned in prize money. To the victor go the spoils, eh?
Top Business: Nike
I mean, duh, right? Nike is like the Lannisters of the sports world, they are the all-consuming successful enterprise. Nike's brand worth increased by $1.7 billion since last year, raising the total to an impressive $19 billion. Nike has musical artists and athletes in its ever-expanding army. I have a feeling they'd do pretty well for themselves in Westeros.
Business Newcomer: UFC
Ah, but like Daenerys Targaryen emerging from a fiery ruin, the UFC is an up and comer to keep your eyes on. Facing widespread public criticism for its barbarianism in the 1990s, the UFC was purchased by the Fertitta brothers in 2001. Since then, the sport has been considerably reformed and popularized all over the globe. With a brand worth $440 million and an estimated total value of $1.65 billion, the UFC is a legitimate addition to the Fab 40 list.
Top Event: Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is to the NFL what the Red Wedding was to the Lannister cause: a smashing success. The Super Bowl generated roughly $518 million in revenue last year thanks to tickets, concessions, licensing, the halftime show and broadcasting. Since 2007, the Super Bowl's reign as the most valuable sporting event brand has been uninterrupted and unchallenged.
Event Newcomer: WrestleMania
WrestleMania is this year's new addition to the Fab 40 with a brand worth of $105 million, good for eighth place in this respective category. Back in April, "WrestleMania 30 broke the record for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's highest grossing entertainment event, marking the fifth consecutive year WrestleMania broke the host venue's single day revenue record," Ozanian wrote. An impressive streak that could rival the amount of tournaments Jaime Lannister won before he, ahem, lent a hand to the war effort.
Top Team: New York Yankees
Biggest market in the country? Check. 27 World Series championships? Check. Name recognition? Check. Dany has three dragons; the Yankees have these three attributes.
All of these factors contribute to New York's $521 million brand value. In fact, that number might even be low as Ozanian explains that it doesn't account for the team's media, ticket and concession revenue or the $26 million given to each MLB team from league broadcasting deals.
Team Newcomer: Los Angeles Lakers
Believe it or not, this is L.A.'s first appearance on the Fab 40 this year. The Lakers play in the second-largest national media market and have been buoyed over the years by global stars such as Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Legends, as in "Game of Thrones", carry a lot of weight. The Lakers brand value of $254 million is sure to rise thanks to increasingly valuable TV contracts for both the team and the entire NBA.
