Falcons’ value rises according to Forbes

The Atlanta Falcons franchise value has risen almost 10 percent in the last year, and it logged an operating profit for 2007 after a loss the year before, Forbes magazine says.

But the team remains one of the National Football League’s lowest-valued franchises.

The Falcons are valued at $872 million, ranking 29th out of 32 teams, Forbes says in its just-issued annual report on “The Business of Football.”

Both those figures are up from a year ago, when Forbes pegged the Falcons franchise value at $796 million and ranked it 31st.

“Last year the Atlanta Falcons hit bottom,” the report says, citing the Michael Vick meltdown, Bobby Petrino’s abrupt exit and a 4-12 record.

Forbes says “the Birds still sit near the bottom of the league’s revenue standings thanks to an onerous lease where the state gets a significant share of stadium revenues. The team is hoping for a fresh start in 2008 with a multi-year renovation of the Georgia Dome that has seen $45 million spent so far on new suites, LED video boards, new concession stands and a fresh coast of paint.

“There is also a new face of the franchise in quarterback Matt Ryan … “

Despite last year’s woes, Forbes said the Falcons had $203 million in revenue in 2007, up from $185 million in 2006. Operating income — a measure of profit before interest, taxes and other items — was $30.9 million. That’s a reversal from an operating loss of $3.4 million in 2006, according to the magazine’s report last year.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank bought the team in 2002 for $545 million.

Topping the Forbes list in franchise value are the Dallas Cowboys, at $1.61 billion; the Washington Redskins, at $1.54 billion; and the New England Patriots, at $1.32 billion.

The three teams that trail Atlanta are the San Francisco 49ers, at $865 million; the Oakland Raiders, at $861 million; and the Minnesota Vikings, at $839 million.

All NFL teams except the Green Bay Packers are privately held, and Forbes uses estimates in compiling its list.

The magazine says the NFL is the strongest sports league in the world in terms of financial worth, with 19 franchises worth more than $1 billion.

The most valuable team in the world, however, belongs to soccer. England’s Manchester United is worth an estimated $1.8 billion.