Manchester United IMO, without a doubt (however... possibly Real). Just because America hasn't heard of them, doesn't mean they don't exist. :rolleyes:

I'm gonna say Real Madrid, because I've only briefly heard of Manchester United. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I'd have to say the NY Yankees.

Even though I hate them with every living cell that makes up my body.

<font color="cyan">Ok, so as it's Memmy's thread we agree that Ferrari aren't included.

Regarding the NZ All Blacks, they are a big team yes. But, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't the All Blacks NZ's national rugby team, the one's that do the Haka, with Jonah Lomu etc?

You can't include a national team in this, as it's not a business. It's like saying any national football team, like Brazil, Argentina, England etc.

Regarding the NY Yankees, as I said, baseball is only really popular in one country. America. NY Yankees are more famous for their clothing brand outside the US, rather than the baseball team. It's probably like the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, every one has heard of them because of the film, and the shirts were cool back in the day.

For you American's that say Real Madrid, I'd have to say your very much mistaken. Real Madrid are a huge team, but biggest sporting brand? No. They are famous for winning trophys, yes. But, Barcelona are just as big of a team in Spain. Real Madrid are well known due to the signing of big players, for ludicrous amounts of money - Beckham, Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo etc. But, they are in debt by around 300million Euros, and the government keeps bailing them out.

IMPO, and hopefully I've stated enough facts/opinions as to why, Manchester United are the only contender.

They are famous worldwide, with the exception of the USA (because Soccer ain't that famous), but with Malcolm Glazers take over bid, they will now probably conquer that soon...they are the richest football club in the world - FACT. Maybe the Glazer takeover will effect that, we don't know. But, they are the most well known football team in the world, and as football is the most recognised sport worldwide (once again, with the exception of the US), then I'd have to say Man Utd.

I can't see how anyone else can think otherwise?</font>

I added them for this reason: Click here

<font color="cyan">Agreed, they are managed carefully and have lots of sponsorships on them.

But, I bet shirt sales wise, the Brazil national team sells more shirts...everyone owns a Brazil top.... [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] </font>

No we don't agree!
We ALL agree that Ferrari should be listed!

Now all of this wonderful stuff you rambled on about above? Is worthless! The question is "Sporting Team Brand". So, Ferrari is known world wide in every country by BRAND.

As Memnoch's link points out, the discussion goes stratight to WHAT the team is known for. It's trade marks etc. When I served as a peace keeper in Kosovo, the common folks knew F1, and had red hats, with the black stallion, and knew that Ferrari was a high performance Formula 1 team. None of them wore anything about a soccer club, a baseball team, or basketball. But they knew Ferrari. Granted, they did enjoy a game of soccer with the troops, but they didn't plan their life off of the sport. But give them room on a back road, and an old Renault, and hey, look out F1.

'I can't see how anyone else can think otherwise?'

I agree as well Felix. I answered the question as I read it, The biggest sporting team brand in the world.

Ferrari are known primarily through motor racing, as a sports team, not through motor car production contrary to Lav's belief.

I also believe that within the context of the original question it is totally right and proper to include other car manafacturers, (and motorcycles and any other sports teams you can think of). We're looking for the worlds biggest sporting team brand no?

Regarding other car manafacturers -

Benz was not a sporting team, he was a pioneer engine manafacturer, his daughters name was Mercedes, hence Mercedes Benz, hence he's out of the equation. They evolved into sports but are not known for it.

Ford was a manafacturer before sport, hence he's out too. They evolved into sports but are not known for it.

McLaren deserves consideration, a brilliant and succesful sporting team...I defy you to tell me their logo from memory.

Alfa Romeo (where Ferrari started) are certainly worth consideration...again, not many will immediately know the logo. (They, unlike Ferrari, are now better known for manafacture but are one of the oldest sporting teams re motor racing).

I know where you're coming from though Mem' maybe the question would have been better understood if it was "biggest field sports brand". You know, I'd almost be tempted to throw in the Harlem Globetrotters in that case, but I'm not sure they have a "brand" as such.

I still mantain that IMHO Ferrari are the biggest and most recognised sporting brand in the world.

P.S Memnoch. Did you ever get your Alfa woes sorted out? As a professional mechanic I was very interested in what happened re your case, seemed to me you was getting shat upon.

[ 07-03-2005, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: Charlie ]

1. Real Madrid
2. AC Milan
3. Juventus
4. Barcelona
5. Manchester United
6. Galatasary SK (actually was in the year 2000)
7. Chicago Bulls(w Michael Jordan)
8. Liverpool (now)
9. FC Inter
10. FC Bayern

Well, after 7 months of bickering, I ended up accepting a deal where we split the costs. I had to resolve it one way or another because I was moving to the US, and I didn't want it dragging on. I could have pursued it in court and possibly recovered the full cost ($15k) but apparently I'd have only gotten maybe 60-70% of my legal costs, which would have gone into the range of $10-$15K (as it was I ended up paying about $3k for legal). So the total cost to me was $11k, plus the fact that I didn't have my car for 7 months.

The amusing thing is that their entire first defence was that I hadn't put enough oil in (even though I'd put in a litre every 2 weeks and had the documentation to support that). When the independent forensic investigator finally had a look at it (that cost $$$ too) his findings were that it was not oil failure, but a blown cylinder head that had caused it. Alfa then changed their defence to "excessive overspeeding/overrevving of the engine". They're a bunch of bloody clowns. :rolleyes:

At the end I had to go for the most pragmatic economic solution - though there was a part of me that wanted to go to court anyway and punish them for what they did even though the cost to me (financial and stress wise) would've been greater. The way the whole thing was handled on their part has completely soured me against this brand and this company (in Australia anyway, but probably in other parts of the world as well). Their policy is to blame and accuse their customers and to shaft them if possible. I can't imagine BMW or Mercedes or Audi doing this to their customers - and we're not talking cheap machinery here, this is a $60000 luxury sports coupe that apparently breaks down when you rev it above 4500rpm. And their warranty is meaningless as it doesn't get honoured and it's then up to people to fight to get it honoured, which will inevitably cost them money.

Needless to say, I'm selling it and will not be getting an Alfa EVER again. Sorry to derail the thread a bit. [img]smile.gif[/img]