Ferrari's Sports Value is Higher than Formula One's - Report

The International Automobile Federation (FIA), especially president Max Mosley, should have some second thoughts about playing hard ball against Formula One's big guns Ferrari, as the Italian company's worldwide recognition has been once again confirmed by British magazine SportsPro.

According to a report issued by the aforementioned publication, it seems the Ferrari Formula One Team is listed as the No 1 sports property in Europe and the 7th most valuable property in the world. As announced by SportsPro, the rankings have been set up based on several factors, such as brand name's prestige or financial balance.

As expected, the No 1 sports property worldwide is listed as being the North American National Football League (NFL), having an overall value of $4.5 billion. Needless to say, the following positions belong to the North American continent also, with the Major League Baseball (MLB) (US$3.9 billion), the NBA (US$3.35 billion) and Nascar (US$1.9 billion) completing the quads.

As for European-based companies, it is Premier League first division club Manchester United that follows Ferrari on the most valuable sports properties list, while Formula One completes the overall podium. For the complete top, click here.

To go back to Ferrari, company's CEO Luca di Montezemolo is scheduled to be part of the FOTA meeting later this week, in which the potential of a new breakaway series will be discussed with the representatives of the 7 other teams in the group.

As reported by Autoevolution yesterday, Renault's Flavio Briatore revealed that the time for a deal with the FIA has passed and, no matter what the ruling body will decide during the course of this week, the teams will rev up for a rival series in the weeks to come.