Forbes ranks Patriots as second-most valuable NFL franchise

Patriots logo

According to rankings by Forbes, the Patriots are the second most valuable NFL franchise, worth $2.6 billion. The Pats' brought in $428 million in revenue and $147 million in operating income. They also had a 44 percent jump in value.

Ahead of them was the Cowboys, which are worth $3.2 billion. The boys in Big D brought in $560 million in revenue and $246 million in operating income.

The average NFL franchise is valued at $1.43 for 2014, the highest in the 17 years Forbes has been following the league.

According to an Associated Press report featured on The Providence Journal's website, Forbes determines a team's value by combining equity and net debt figures, and also accounts for the stadium a team play (amount of seating, renovations to existing ones and pending new ones, if applicable).

This really isn't surprising, seeing as the Patriots are near the top every season. However, what may surprise some people, is that the Washington "football team" Redskins ranked third in value at $2.4 billion. Considering everything they're going through, that might not be something you would expect.