Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY

Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY

Forbes released its list of the most valuable franchises in sports today, and as expected the top three spots are claimed by soccer teams. Real Madrid takes the first spot, Barcelona takes second, and Manchester United took the number three spot. From there, it was basically your usual suspects (Yankees, Cowboys, Dodgers, Patriots, etc.) and a little further down came the Eagles:

#17 Philadelphia Eagles
Value: $1.314 billion
Owner: Jeffrey Lurie

The Eagles are wrapping up a two-year, $125 million renovation of Lincoln Financial Field in time for the 2014 season. Changes include new HD video boards and HD TVs around the stadium, as well as 1,600 new seats.

The Eagles hit the list as the 7th most valuable NFL team (after spending some time as the fifth), but the least valuable team in the NFC East (and I’m fine with being valued below teams owned by noted assholes Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder). The rest of the NFL packs the list, with only the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars not making the cut.

Near the bottom of the list, the Phillies come one spot below the SF Giants:

#39 Philadelphia Phillies
Value: $975 million
Owner: Partnership led by David Montgomery

The Phillies signed a new, long-term local television agreement with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia in January that will begin with the 2016 season and is worth $5 billion, more than twice the team’s current deal with the regional sports network and its over-the-air partner, Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate.

The Philles are the 6th MLB team on the list (behind the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, and Giants). And even though number six isn’t bad at all, we can also feel good about the Mets’ standing: “The Raiders, New York Mets and Formula 1’s McLaren dropped out of the top 50.” That feels nice.