Forbes has listed Real Madrid as the most valuable sports club at a whopping $3.3 billion.

That compares to $1.9 billion from 2012. The bolstered financial status stems from new deals with Mideastern carrier Emirates Airlines, and sporting accessories manufacturer Adidas.

"Real" shares its coveted position at the top with two other European football clubs: Manchester United of England moved down to second place to take Real's place and Barcelona moved up from no. 5 to no. 3. Barcelona has a unique social network following of a combined 61 million fans on Twitter and Facebook.

United reeled in $3.7 billion for the year, while Barcelona secured its spot on the list with $3.6 billion. Forbes said that National Football League franchises were the biggest winners in sports during the current year. Arsenal was also on the list of top ten with $1.3 billion, reports Reuters.

Real's operating income is second only to that of Dallas cowboys, placed no. 5 with $2.1 billion, reports Forbes. Real Madrid is owned by 93,000 shareholders who pay $195 in exchange for freebies like tickets for the games. The only other sports club that follows this model is Green Bay Packers, owned by 364,000 shareholders.

Over the years, Real Madrid has seen some of the brightest talents in the game - DavidBeckham, Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zedane and Raul

With published sports lists since 1998, Forbes' top 50 represents financial assessments conducted for soccer, National Football League, NASCAR, Formula 1, National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball:

Forbes List of 50 most valuable sports teams

1 Real Madrid (Spanish football): $3.3 billion
2 Manchester United (English football): $3.165 billion
3 Barcelona (Spanish football): $2.6 billion
4 New York Yankees (MLB): $2.3 billion
5 Dallas Cowboys (NFL): $2.1 billion
6 New England Patriots (NFL): $1.635 billion
7 Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB): $1.615 billion
8 Washington Redskins (NFL): $1.6 billion
9 New York Giants (NFL): $1.468 billion
10 Arsenal (English football): $1.326 billion
11 Boston Red Sox (MLB): $1.312 billion
12 Bayern Munich (German football): $1.309 billion13 Houston Texans (NFL): $1.305 billion14 New York Jets (NFL): $1.284 billion15 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL): $1.26 billion
13 Houston Texans (NFL): $1.305 billion
14 New York Jets (NFL): $1.284 billion
15 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL): $1.26 billion
16 Chicago Bears (NFL): $1.19 billion
17 San Francisco 49ers (NFL): $1.175 billion
18 Green Bay Packers (NFL): $1.161 billion
19 Baltimore Ravens (NFL): $1.157 billion
20 Indianapolis Colts (NFL): $1.154 billion
21 Ferrari (F1): $1.15 billion
22 Denver Broncos (NFL): $1.132 billion
23 New York Knicks (NBA): $1.1 billion
23 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL): $1.1 billion
25 Miami Dolphins (NFL): $1.06 billion
26 Carolina Panthers (NFL): $1.048 billion
27 Seattle Seahawks (NFL): $1.04 billion
28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL): $1.033 billion
29 Tennessee Titans (NFL): $1.011 billion
30 Kansas City Chiefs (NFL): $1.008 billion
31 Chicago Cubs (MLB): $1 billion
31 Los Angeles Lakers (NBA): $1 billion
31 Toronto Maple leafs (NHL): $1 billion
34 Cleveland Browns (NFL): $987 million
35 Minnesota Vikings (NFL): $975 million
36 New Orleans Saints (NFL): $971 million
37 AC Milan (Italian fooball): $945 million
38 San Diego Chargers (NFL): $936 million
39 Arizona Cardinals (NFL): $922 million
40 Chelsea (English football): $901 million
41 Philadelphia Phillies (MLB): $893 million
42 Cincinnati Bengals (NFL): $871 million
43 Detroit Lions (NFL): $855 million
44 Atlanta Falcons (NFL): $837 million
45 New York Mets (MLB): $811 million
46 Buffalo Bills (NFL): $805 million
47 Chicago Bulls (NBA): $800 million
47 McLaren (F1): $800 million
49 San Francisco Giants (MLB): $786 million
50 Oakland Raiders (NFL): $785 million