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Business magazine Forbes has released their 2018 edition of the most valuable soccer clubs in Major League Soccer. Though the LA Galaxy had their spot at the top wrestled away by Atlanta United, the AEG owned club still takes home the silver.
It can’t be emphasized enough how important Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not just to the Galaxy, but the league. The big Swede led MLS in jersey sales and sold out stadiums everywhere he appeared, giving the league priceless exposure.
From the article:
...the Galaxy have been the league’s premier franchise ever since the very start in 1996, which has led to financial clout and an unrivaled reputation. Last season, no team came close to matching the Galaxy’s $63 million in revenue, and no other team had the cachet required to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a sweetheart, $1.5 million-per-year contract (he doesn’t even qualify as one of the team’s designated players). The Galaxy make an average $5.5 million annually from local TV rights while many MLS teams still count local broadcasts as an expense, and it’s those sorts of financial advantages that allow the five-time champions to maintain the perennially star-studded roster necessary to stay relevant in such a competitive market.