Estimating the value of the Premier League or the worlds most profitable investment project

Abstract

This paper shows that market values for UK football (soccer) teams may be described by a remarkably simple regression model. This model is used to estimate the value of the Premier league. A tentative estimate of the Norwegian club Rosenborg Ballklubb is also established. As Rosenborg Ballklub is a ‘membership club’ - meaning that a small entrance fee (independent of the clubs performance) is the real price of ‘a share’ in the club - the return of an investment in the club is shown to be ‘unbelievable’.