Top leagues worth betting on in 2024

A large majority of sports team participants are amateur athletes. However, pro teams and leagues have become an integral part of the modern-day sporting landscape. Here is a list of sports teams that are the most valuable in the world.

• Real Madrid CF - $4.8 billion
• Dallas Cowboys – $5.7 billion
• FC Barcelona - $4.8 billion
• New York Knicks - $5 billion

In 2012, gamblers betting on sports teams wagered more than $58 million on Wimbledon’s finals match at online sports betting sites. More than 1 billion fans tuned in to watch Wimbledon matches during the competition. The game holds fourth place in betting popularity amongst sports gamblers.

With approximately 93,000 matches, tennis fans have plenty of opportunities to wager. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is favored in any tennis competition, especially after winning the 2022 French Open in Paris.

During March Madness, gamblers wager about $10 billion on basketball, which is third in betting popularity among sports fans. As 68 teams compete for the national championship, the teams’ fans wager on the outcome of individual matches and the final championship game. The Kansas Jayhawks won the 2022 NCAA championship, making the team one to watch for wagers in 2023.

American football is second to only one sport in global wagers. The National Football League attracts half of all sports betting in America. In fact, the Super Bowl attracted a record-topping $158 million in legal wagers in 2018. Estimates of illegal betting on the championship put the amount of overall betting closer to $5 billion.

Even though the Rams beat the Bengals in Super Bowl 2022, only the seven biggest sports teams have won consecutive championships, and it hasn’t happened since 2004. In 2023, odds makers may look at other major sports teams to win the Super Bowl, including the Buccaneers, led by iconic, 7-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady.

As the world’s most popular sport, soccer outperforms the best sports team betting action. The soccer championship, FIFA World Cup attracts teams from 210 countries that participate in the tournament. From qualifying matches to make the finals, teams compete to see which will win it all. Bettors are watching and wagering every step of the way. Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are teams that sportsbook odds favor.

For sports enthusiasts, betting on sports leagues is a form of entertainment that enhances the game. Win or lose, wagering is worth the experience for most. For example, moneyline betting is another popular way to win a wager. If the favorite's odds are -400, a bettor wagers $400 for a chance at winning $200.

However, the bettor wins his wager plus $200 if the favorite wins, but may lose $400 if the favorite loses the match. Money line betting is popular for low-scoring sports competitions, such as soccer and baseball. Seasoned gamblers have mastered how to manage risk and individual fans are often just playing for fun.

Mastering a sport takes intense dedication, talent, grit, and athleticism. Few players reach iconic status, which includes adoration from fans and a bucket load of money from salaries, winnings, and endorsements. Here are five players who are favored by fans and sportsbook odds.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes a whopping 26.4 million dollars in 2022 salary and enjoys a Twitter following of 42 million followers. As the most popular soccer player in the world, he accumulated more than $1 billion in earnings during his career from salary and endorsements and has an estimated $500 million net worth.

LeBron James makes $23 million by playing basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he tweets to more than 31 million Twitter followers. Forbes estimates that James’ net worth exceeds $1 billion.

Serena and Venus Williams rocked the tennis world with individual and doubles wins throughout their careers. Both have made invaluable contributions to the sport by winning multiple championships, including Wimbledon. Serena leads with 19 Wimbledon wins to Venus’ 12 wins. Both have enjoyed status as the No. 1 ranked tennis players in the world.

Each of these players is widely regarded as the best to ever play their respective sports and is often favored by gamblers.