The Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s first and only $2 billion franchise as named by Forbes Magazine on Wednesday when it released its yearly NFL team value list.  According to the list penned by Michael Ozanian, Forbes’ executive editor, the Cowboys’ value is listed as $2.1 billion, which apparently is  “a conservative estimate.”

Talk about a solid investment for Jerry Jones.  According to ESPN:

Ozanian said the magazine took into account the Cowboys’ $80 million in sponsorship income, their state-of-the art stadium and the fact that they are the only team in the NFL that distributes its own merchandise to retailers.  Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million. That’s roughly a 715 percent increase to today’s value, factoring in inflation.  Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million. That’s roughly a 715 percent increase to today’s value, factoring in inflation.

The New England Patriots (1.635 Billion) and Washington Redskins (1.600 Billion) round out the top three teams.  You can check out the rest of the list below courtesy of Forbes:

via http://www.forbes.com/nfl-valuations/list/
via http://www.forbes.com/nfl-valuations/list/