Forbes Fab 40 Has Nike As World's Most Valuable Brand, With Valuation At $19B

Nike is the "most valuable sports business brand," according to this year's "Fab 40" list by FORBES.com. The list "consists of the 10 most valuable sports brands in each of four categories -- businesses, events, teams and athletes -- and quantifies the earning power of each brand relative to its competitors." The "most valuable sports business brand is Nike," worth $19B. If Nike "had a different name," its market value would be $52B instead of $71B. For businesses "that are not publicly traded, or are subsidiaries of another company, the brand value is the difference between the estimated value of the business brand and what the value of a similar business is worth." The estimated value of the UFC is $1.65B, while the average business with the same profitability "would be worth" $1.21B, so the UFC brand is worth $440M. The top event brand is the Super Bowl, which last season generated an estimated $518M in revenue "from broadcasting, tickets, the halftime show, concessions and licensing." Another new member is WrestleMania, whose brand is worth $105M, "placing it eighth among sporting events." The Yankees "are the most valuable team brand in sports," worth $521M. The Lakers "join the Fab 40 for the first time this year." The top athlete brand is not Tiger Woods for the first time since '07. This year, the top spot belongs to Cavaliers F LeBron James. Tennis player Rafael Nadal "made the Fab 40 for the first time this year" with a brand value of $10M (FORBES.com, 10/7).