Can Kuwaiti cash revive Forest?

Can Kuwaiti cash revive football's fallen giant? - CNN.comvar cnnCurrTime=new Date(1344174736000),cnnCurrHour=9,cnnCurrMin=52,cnnCurrDay="Sun",cnnIsIntl=true,clickID=212106,cnn_cvpAdpre="edition.",cnnCVPAdSectionT1="edition.cnn.com_worldsport_football_t1",cnnCVPAdSectionInPage="edition.cnn.com_worldsport_football_inpage",cnnShareUrl="%2F2012%2F07%2F13%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fkuwait-hasawi-nottingham-forest-football%2Findex.html",cnnShareTitle="Can%20Kuwaiti%20cash%20revive%20football's%20fallen%20giant%3F",cnnShareDesc="",cnnFirstPub=new Date('Friday Jul 13 08:32:53 EDT 2012'),cnnSectionName="iSport",cnnSubSectionName="Football",cnnPageType="Story",cnnBrandingValue="default";cnnPartnerValue="";cnnOmniBranding="",cnnAuthor="Gary Morley, CNN",disqus_category_id=207582,disqus_identifier="/2012/07/13/sport/football/kuwait-hasawi-nottingham-forest-football/index.html",disqus_title="Can Kuwaiti cash revive football's fallen giant?",cnn_edtnswtchver="edition",cnnIsStoryPage=true,cnn_metadata = {};cnn_metadata = {section: ["iSport","Football"],friendly_name: "Can Kuwaiti cash revive football's fallen giant?",template_type: "content",template_type_content: "gallery",business: {cnn: {page: {author: "Gary Morley, CNN",broadcast_franchise: "",video_embed_count: "7",publish_date: "2012/07/13",photo_gallery: "Nottingham Forest's rich history"},video: {video_player: ""}}},user: {authenticated: "",segment: {age: "",zip: "",gender: ""}}};if (typeof(cnnOmniPartner) !== "undefined") {if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content === "") {cnn_metadata.template_type_content = "partner";}}var photo_gallery = "Nottingham Forest's rich history";Event.observe(window,'load',function(){window.setTimeout("cnn_strysavemrv()",500);});function cnn_strysavemrv(){saveMrvUrl('Can Kuwaiti cash revive football\'s fallen giant? - CNN.com',cnn_strysaveurl);}if(typeof CNN==='undefined'){var CNN=Class.create();}CNN.expandableMap=[''];function _loginOptions(){};var disqus_url=(typeof disqus_identifier!=='undefined') ? 'http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/13/sport/football/kuwait-hasawi-nottingham-forest-football/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']); EDITION: INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV: CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport World Sport Home Olympics Football Golf Tennis Motorsport Horse Racing Sailing Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo Can Kuwaiti cash revive football's fallen giant?By Gary Morley, CNNJuly 13, 2012 -- Updated 1259 GMT (2059 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(10);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("New owners", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}Nottingham Forest has become the latest English club to be bought by overseas investors following a takeover by Kuwait's Al-Hasawi family.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"New owners"}The club's golden era began in 1978 when Forest won the English first division under the guidance of iconic manager Brian Clough, right, and his assistant Peter Taylor.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Cloughie\'s boys"}A year later, Forest stunned the football world by winning the European Cup, eliminating two-time defending champions Liverpool before beating Sweden's Malmo in the final. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"European glory"}Forest matched Liverpool's feat by winning Europe's top club tournament again in 1980, beating Hamburg 1-0 in the final in Madrid. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Double success"}However, apart from a domestic cup in 1990, that was the last major trophy that Forest won under Clough, whose reign ended after relegation from the new Premier League in 1993. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Sinking feeling"}Forest's "Robin Hood" mascot on parade during a third-division match in 2007. The club narrowly avoided a return to that tier last season amid continuing struggles on and off the pitch. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Rich and poor"}Owner Nigel Doughty quit as chairman after his disastrous appointment of former England manager Steve McClaren last season, then put the club up for sale. He passed away in February 2012 aged 54 before the Al-Hasawi family agreed the takeover.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Benefactor passes away"}Forest fans will hope the new owners have the same impact that Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has had at Manchester City, having won the Premier League title within four years of taking over.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"City sheikh"}Middle East money has been flowing into European football, with Qatar's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani plowing millions into French club Paris Saint-Germain.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Arab ambition"}In 2010, Qatar won the race to host the 2022 World Cup, the first Middle Eastern country to do so. As well as France, it has also invested in the Spanish league.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"Spreading influence"}HIDE CAPTIONNew ownersCloughie's boysEuropean gloryDouble successSinking feelingRich and poorBenefactor passes awayCity sheikhArab ambitionSpreading influence<<<12345678910>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Nottingham Forest's rich history");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSKuwaiti family buys former European Cup winner Nottingham ForestEnglish club has been out of the elite division for more than a decadeExperts say there is great value in buying a team with such a rich historyAl-Hasawi family said to have more soccer knowledge than some failed investors

(CNN) -- For sale: One football club, formerly the best in Europe, now fallen on hard times. Buyer: Rich Middle Eastern family, determined to restore club's "glory days."

When it was announced this week that a Kuwaiti family had agreed to take over Nottingham Forest, two-time winner of the European Cup, the big question became: Is this another Manchester City or Chelsea -- or more evidence of football's "prune juice" theory?

For every Sheikh Mansour and Roman Abramovich, there is a Sulaiman al-Fahim or Venky's to prove that money pumped into one end of a club generally comes straight out the other.

Indeed, Forest -- last a member of England's top division as long ago as 1999 -- reportedly required more than $100 million of investment from Nigel Doughty during his 13-year spell as owner.

How much is Manchester City's victory worth for Abu Dhabi?

That might not seem like a lot for a Premier League team, but for one that last season only narrowly avoided a return to the third tier, it's a significant amount.

.cnnArticleGalleryNav{border:1px solid #000;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavOn{background-color:#C03;border:1px solid #000;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:20px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavDisabled{background-color:#222;border:1px solid #000;color:#666;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleExpandableTarget{background-color:#000;display:none;position:absolute}.cnnArticlePhotoContainer{height:122px;width:214px}.cnnArticleBoxImage{cursor:pointer;height:122px;padding-top:0;width:214px}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControl{background-color:#000;color:#FFF}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControlText{cursor:pointer;float:right;font-size:10px;padding:3px 10px 3px 3px}.cnnArticleGalleryPhotoContainer cite{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #000;bottom:48px;color:#FFF;height:auto;left:420px;opacity:.7;position:absolute;width:200px;padding:10px}.cnnArticleGalleryClose{background-color:#fff;display:block;text-align:right}.cnnArticleGalleryCloseButton{cursor:pointer}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNext span{background-color:#444;color:#CCC;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:26px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNextDisabled span{background-color:#444;color:#666;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:25px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{padding-right:68px;width:270px;margin:0 auto}.cnnGalleryContainer{float:left;clear:left;margin:0 0 20px;padding:0 0 0 10px}if (typeof cnnArticleGallery == "undefined") {var cnnArticleGallery = {};}if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList =="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList = [];}var expGallery71=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGallery71.setImageCount(6);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Building for the future", 1);Qatar's economy has boomed since it started exporting liquefied natural gas in 1997 -- only Luxembourg has a higher gross domestic product per capita. The gulf nation's infrastructure continues to improve in readiness for the 2022 World Cup. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":7,"y":1,"pos":1,"title":"Building for the future"}The Qatar Investment Authority bought a majority shareholding in French football club Paris Saint-Germain in May 2011, immediately making it one of the richest teams in Europe. Ex-Milan and Inter coach Leonardo, center, was appointed director of football, while Carlo Ancelotti (left) is now coach.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":1,"pos":2,"title":"French fancy"}Qatar has its own 12-team top division, with the leading four clubs at the end of the season going into the Qatar Crown Prince Cup. Football is the most popular sport in the kingdom, with nearly 700,000 attending matches in any one season.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":1,"pos":3,"title":"Qataris love their football"}Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nassar Al-Thani (right), a member of the Qatari royal family, bought Spanish club Malaga for €36 million ($48 million) in June 2010. Despite big investment in players, there has not yet been the same success as PSG's in France.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":1,"pos":4,"title":"Malaga\'s money man"}Al Sadd's victory in the 2011 Asian Champions League final vindicated Qatar's decision to plough money into its coaching set-up rather than splash out on top overseas names. 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The global appeal and on-field success of the 19-time English champions has helped establish a brand worth an estimated $853 million.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":7,"y":2,"pos":1,"title":"Manchester\'s money machine"}Bayern Munich's players and fans were distraught after losing Saturday's European Champions League to Chelsea, but the German team's brand was second on the list, valued at $786 million.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":2,"pos":2,"title":"Silver lining"}Real Madrid recently pipped Barcelona to the Spanish title, but both clubs have suffered setbacks financially. Both brands decreased, by 7% and 8% respectively, as a result of the eurozone crisis and its impact on the Spanish economy.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":2,"pos":3,"title":"Cuts for \'El Clasico\'"}Chelsea's brand value was significantly boosted by the European triumph. The west London club, backed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, is ranked fifth on the list valued at $398 million.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":2,"pos":4,"title":"Champions cash in"}Manchester City's dramatic Premier League title win has increased the value of the Abu Dhabi-owned English club's brand, putting it eighth on the list, worth an estimated $302 million.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":7,"y":2,"pos":5,"title":"City slickers"}The 2011 Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy had the honor of meeting President Barack Obama earlier this month. 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"Financial interest from the Middle East has fallen into two camps: the genuine and the fantasists," Middle Eastern football expert James Montague told CNN.

"You have on one hand the likes of Sheikh Mansour who bought Manchester City, put his money where his mouth is and within four years has transformed the club from also-rans into title winners. They are now feared across Europe.

Arabian dreams: Abu Dhabi celebrates City's title triumph

"On the other you have a string of failed takeovers from those hoping Middle Eastern money could be some kind of panacea. Or in the case of Portsmouth were taken over by the UAE's Sulaiman al Fahim and eventually became the first Premier League club to go into administration.

"This takeover appears to fall in to the former category, largely because they have a successful track record in domestic football. Remember, Manchester City wasn't the first club Sheikh Mansour bankrolled. His first love is the Abu Dhabi-based club Al Jazira. Likewise the Hasawi family have turned Kuwaiti club Qadisa into a local regional powerhouse."

While Portsmouth's only English titles date back to 1949-50, Forest won the old first division championship relatively recently in 1978 and then shocked the football world by lifting Europe's top club trophy in the following two seasons.

Will football clubs play fair financially?

"It makes a great deal of sense for an investor to buy into a club of Forest's stature," says Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business strategy and marketing at England's Coventry University.

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Click on for the highlights ...cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":1,"title":"How Battle of Manchester was won"}20 mins: Manchester United, relying on City to slip up against QPR, score first through Wayne Rooney in their must-win match at Sunderland. Advantage United!cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":2,"title":""}39 mins: Back in Manchester, Pablo Zabaleta puts City back in the driving seat as Paddy Kenny fails to keep his shot out. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":3,"title":""}48 minutes: A terrible mistake from Joleon Lescott allows Djibril Cisse (center) to race through and equalize for QPR. Advantage well and truly with United!cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":4,"title":""}54 minutes: With City looking shell-shocked, QPR captain Joey Barton is sent off after a clash with Carlos Tevez. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":5,"title":""}66 mins: Unbelievable! Jamie Mackie (3rd from left) puts 10-man QPR 2-1 ahead after a rare counter attack. Classic smash and grab -- the City players can't believe it. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":6,"title":""}92 minutes: With time added on City grab a lifeline through substitute Edin Dzeko (right). But City need to win. United have beaten Sunderland 1-0!cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":7,"title":""}95 minutes: City have done it! Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winner with seconds to go in injury time.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":8,"title":""}City manager Roberto Mancini (center) runs to greet his jubilant players after their breathtaking victory.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":9,"title":""}Victorious captain Vincent Kompany holds aloft the Premiership trophy ...cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":10,"title":""}... while United players look dejected as the result from Manchester filters through.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":1,"pos":11,"title":""}How Battle of Manchester was wonHIDE CAPTION<<<1234567891011>>>Celebration and heartache: A city dividedEvent.observe(window, 'load', function() {//report the first gallery image to ADBPif(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined') {cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image, "Nottingham Forest's rich history");}});.cnnArticleGalleryNav{border:1px solid #000;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavOn{background-color:#C03;border:1px solid #000;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:20px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavDisabled{background-color:#222;border:1px solid #000;color:#666;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleExpandableTarget{background-color:#000;display:none;position:absolute}.cnnArticlePhotoContainer{height:122px;width:214px}.cnnArticleBoxImage{cursor:pointer;height:122px;padding-top:0;width:214px}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControl{background-color:#000;color:#FFF}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControlText{cursor:pointer;float:right;font-size:10px;padding:3px 10px 3px 3px}.cnnArticleGalleryPhotoContainer cite{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #000;bottom:48px;color:#FFF;height:auto;left:420px;opacity:.7;position:absolute;width:200px;padding:10px}.cnnArticleGalleryClose{background-color:#fff;display:block;text-align:right}.cnnArticleGalleryCloseButton{cursor:pointer}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNext span{background-color:#444;color:#CCC;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:26px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNextDisabled span{background-color:#444;color:#666;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:25px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{padding-right:68px;width:270px;margin:0 auto}.cnnGalleryContainer{float:left;clear:left;margin:0 0 20px;padding:0 0 0 10px}if (typeof cnnArticleGallery == "undefined") {var cnnArticleGallery = {};}if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList =="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList = [];}var expGallery162=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGallery162.setImageCount(5);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("PSG\'s main players", 1);Paris Saint-Germain's main players: From left to right, general manager Leonardo, coach Carlo Ancelotti and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":16,"y":2,"pos":1,"title":"PSG\'s main players"}PSG owner Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani (c) takes in a PSG training session in the Qatari capital Doha prior to the 2011/12 season.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":2,"pos":2,"title":"New owner"}The signing of Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore for a reported fee of $57 million in June 2011 demonstrated the new wealth at PSG's disposal.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":2,"pos":3,"title":"Splashing out on Pastore"}PSG appointed former Juventus and Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti in December in a bid to secure the club's first French league title since 1994. The vastly experienced Italian has won the presitgious European Champions League twice with AC Milan.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":2,"pos":4,"title":"That\'s your Ancelotti"}PSG are battling at the top of the table for their first Ligue 1 title in 18-years. 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Barcelona FC $8.6 million average", 1);Barcelona's players are the best paid in the world according to a new report. The team kept its No. 1 place on the earnings table with each player taking home an average annual salary of $8.6 million (£5.2 million). That's a whopping $166,934 (£101,160) per week and a 10% rise on last year. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":1,"title":"1. Barcelona FC $8.6 million average"}Spanish football teams continued to dominate the rankings, with Real Madrid keeping its No. 2 spot. It's players earned an average $7.7 million (£4.7 million) - a 6% rise on last year. Cristiano Ronaldo became the most expensive footballer in history in 2009 after moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a six-year deal worth $129 million (£80 million).cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":2,"title":"2. Real Madrid $7.7 million"}Manchester City moved up the rankings from 10th last year to 3rd in 2012, thanks to an average annual salary of $7.4 million for its players. It's a 26% increase on last year and demonstrates the wealth of the English club's owner Sheikh Monsour.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":3,"title":"3. Manchester City $7.4 million"}Russian billionaire Roman Abromovich's Chelsea team climbed the rankings from sixth to fourth, with players earning around $6.7 million a year -- the equivalent of $130,690 a week.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":4,"title":"4. Chelsea $6.7 million"}The first non-soccer entry in the rich list is the LA Lakers. The Americans are also the only bastketballers in the top 10, with players taking home $6.2 million annually -- about $120,732 per week.



cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":5,"title":"5. LA Lakers $6.2 million"}Baseball's New York Yankees have continued to fall in the rankings -- dropping from No. 1 in 2010 to sixth this year. But the MLB team's players can still take comfort from an average yearly salary of $6.1 million -- around £118,968 a week.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":6,"title":"6. New York Yankees $6.1 million"}Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pumped even more money into his football club AC Milan last year. The Serie A champions rose from 14th in the list with players enjoying a yearly salary of $6.1 million, pocketing $117,399 per week.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":7,"title":"7. AC Milan $6.1 million"}Also rising in the rich list was Germany's Bayern Munich, up from 12th place last year. Players boasted a yearly salary of $5.9 million, taking home $113,609 a week.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":8,"title":"8. Bayern Munich $5.9 million"}The Philadelphia Phillies are one of just three U.S. teams in the top 10. The baseball franchise's players earned an average $5.8 million a year, or $111,884 per week.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":9,"title":"9. Philadelphia Phillies $5.8 million"}Internazionale sneaked into the top 10 with an average yearly salary of $5.7 million for its players. It's a family affair for Italian oil tycoon Massimo Moratti, whose father Angelo also owned the club in the 1950s and '60s.

cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":16,"y":3,"pos":10,"title":"10. Inter Milan $5.7 million"}1. Barcelona FC $8.6 million average2. Real Madrid $7.7 million3. Manchester City $7.4 million4. Chelsea $6.7 million5. LA Lakers $6.2 million6. New York Yankees $6.1 million7. AC Milan $6.1 million8. Bayern Munich $5.9 million9. Philadelphia Phillies $5.8 million10. Inter Milan $5.7 millionHIDE CAPTION<<<12345678910>>>The world's 10 best-paid sports teamsEvent.observe(window, 'load', function() {//report the first gallery image to ADBPif(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined') {cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image, "Nottingham Forest's rich history");}});"There is some equity in the brand amongst fans and potential fans that dates back to their successes in the late '70s and early '80s. This brand equity can offer things to customers and investors that other organizations can't."

Forest's near neighbor Leicester City, another club to have lost top-flight status in recent years, is now owned by a Thai group -- but Chadwick says there is a big difference in their earning potential.

"Forest's financial position, while not being especially strong, is more stable than it has been over the past five years or so," he said.

"For people like the Al-Hasawi family, it depends on what their view of the club is. If they see it as a revenue-generating asset, clearly it's going to take a great deal of hard work to build those revenue streams.

"It's there where Forest's history and equity of the brand can have an impact. Forest can deliver a level of revenue that their closest geographic rivals Leicester City can't. Nottingham has a significant population so in terms of being able to fill a stadium, in terms of latent fan base, it's very significant."

French revolution: Can Qatari cash make PSG a football force?

Foreign investors once flocked to the lucrative but highly expensive Premier League -- Manchester United was reportedly valued at £1 billion when the Qatari royal family was linked with the club -- but the second-tier Championship is now proving to be more value for money.

"Sheikh Mansour saw that you needed to find undervalued clubs with history and prestige," said Montague, author of "When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone."

"City fit the bill, and in a way Forest has even more potential. We drool at clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United and Inter Milan winning the Champions League, but Forest won back-to-back European Cups just over 30 years ago and had one of the most iconic managers -- Brian Clough -- in charge.

"A whole industry has boomed over Clough -- biographies, novels, films. For the reported £20 million ($31 million), the Hasawi family are getting former European champions with Hollywood-level exposure for a snip."

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PSG's Qatari owners aim to be world's best

"It makes the competition for players more intense, the competition for spectators more intense," Chadwick told CNN.

"Whereas maybe five or 10 years ago the involvement of a rich investor might have been seen as the right ingredient for success, I think now such is the level of interest in English football and such is the level of investment, it's now much more about managerial competence and skill and knowledge of the industry and networking."

Doughty brought in former England manager Steve McClaren at the start of last season with disastrous results, and the current FC Twente coach's short reign resulted in the Forest benefactor -- considered one of the most powerful men in UK business -- standing down as chairman.

Doughty put the club up for sale, but the Al-Hasawis dealt with the executors of his estate following the investment banker's death at the age of 54 in February.

They issued a statement stating their goal to "bring the Reds back to the top of the table" but acknowledged "challenging times ahead" -- and have already sacked manager Steve Cotterill just nine months into his three-and-a-half-year contract.

"If the family is looking at this on a medium to longer term basis, they'll look to develop a scouting network and sign players for relatively small amounts of money," Chadwick said.

"They will have to manage the club in a very shrewd way to make sure they don't get back into debt in the same way. One would hope that Forest as a club have learned their lessons.

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Cash for cups? Qatar's sporting influence spreads across the globe

If Forest fans are getting overexcited about their future, they don't have to look very far for proof that such a takeover can go horribly wrong.

In 2009, city rivals Notts County announced that football's oldest professional club -- languishing in the bottom division and in danger of collapsing -- had been bought by a group called Munto Finance, purportedly financed by Middle East money.

In came former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson and international star Sol Campbell on lucrative long-term deals, but they had both gone before the end of that season as Munto's promises to wipe out crippling debts proved empty. Still struggling to survive, the club was sold for a nominal fee of £1 just months after the takeover.

"There will always be this fear. The 'fit and proper person test' applied to new owners is not especially robust or rigorous, so we can never be completely sure about what new owners' intentions or resources are," Chadwick said.

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He cited the example of Blackburn Rovers, who suffered relegation from the EPL after only one season under the ownership of Indian chicken magnates Venky's.

"The experience since they took over is a stark illustration of how inexperience can cause problems. No matter your intentions or how much money you've got, experience of the industry is very important," Chadwick said.

"Do they know what they're letting themselves in for? Running a football club is very different from running other forms of business.

"What do they see as being the strategic position at Forest? If they are looking to win the Premier League and get in the Champions League, they are going to have to invest a significant amount of money.

"But if their definition of glory days is to get back into the Premier League then it will require a more modest sum. Stoke. have proved you can establish yourself as a midtable team. It's still very expensive, but not as expensive as what City have spent to win the title."

Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo var OB_permalink='http://edition.cnn.com'+location.pathname;var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';var OB_Template="cnnedition";if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="cnnad_createAd("314909","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=336x850_rgt&cnn_intl_rollup=world_sport&cnn_intl_section=football&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","850","336");cnnad_registerSpace(314909,336,850);Part of complete coverage on Football FocusDo tours cost Europe's soccer clubs?With preseason tours in full swing, CNN's Pedro Pinto asks if long-distance travels hampers football's stars.Can PSG buy world domination?With PSG raiding Italy's Serie A in search of talent, CNN's Pedro Pinto asks if the Qatari-owned French club can rival football's best?Can Kuwait cash revive fallen giant?July 13, 2012 -- Updated 1259 GMT (2059 HKT)For sale: One football club, formerly the best in Europe, now fallen on hard times. Buyer: Rich Middle Eastern family, determined to restore club's "glory days."Gambling game: Soccer's betting battleJuly 12, 2012 -- Updated 1513 GMT (2313 HKT)Soccer stars have plenty of spare time and money, so revelations of players "spot-fix" gambling should come as no surprise.Has FIFA opened Pandora's Box?After goal-line technology's introduction, will FIFA allow technology to play an even greater part in the game?Are FIFA's rankings fit for purpose?With England sat in fourth place, CNN's Alex Thomas asks if soccer's rankings need a revamp?Time to get tough on football racismCNN's Alex Thomas says soccer authorities must do more to stamp out discrimination. Warrior or tika taka technician?June 29, 2012 -- Updated 1447 GMT (2247 HKT)Can English football reinvent its "warrior" style to emulate the success of freeflowing football nations such as Spain and Germany?Seedorf on leaving AC Milan June 21, 2012 -- Updated 1822 GMT (0222 HKT)Veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf speaks to CNN's Alex Thomas about his decision to leave Italian club AC Milan after 10 years.Drogba deal: China's vanity project?June 20, 2012 -- Updated 1535 GMT (2335 HKT)China's domestic league is plagued by corruption and its huge population is indifferent towards soccer. So why are top stars heading there?Beckham answers iReport questionsJune 20, 2012 -- Updated 1628 GMT (0028 HKT)Soccer star David Beckham answers iReporter questions about winning, losing and playing with his kids.Has 'boring' Spain lost its mojo?CNN's Alex Thomas wonders how such an exciting football team as Spain could become, as heretical as it may seem to say... boring.Should players know their anthems?CNN's Amanda Davies argues that footballers are picked for their sporting ability, not because they can do justice to their national song.Is football tough on match fixers?After soccer was hit with another match-fixing scandal, CNN's Pedro Pinto asks if the sport is doing enough to tackle the problem.Did Guardiola reinvent football?May 29, 2012 -- Updated 0930 GMT (1730 HKT)Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola might have walked away from football to take a sabbatical, but he has left a huge legacy after only four years in charge. Man City top EPL 'value' tableMay 23, 2012 -- Updated 0918 GMT (1718 HKT)Manchester City's English title came at a staggering cost, but fans of the Abu Dhabi-owned team got their money's worth last season.Who are European football's MVPs?Messi or Ronaldo? Aguero or Van Persie? Pirlo or Ibrahimovic? CNN's Pedro Pinto picks his European MVPS -- do you agree?Football's biggest brandsMay 22, 2012 -- Updated 1454 GMT (2254 HKT)Bayern Munich might be licking their wounds after defeat to Chelsea, but the German club can find comfort in victory of a different kind..cnn_strycrcntrnwsp .cnn_mtpmore { padding:10px 0px 1px 0px; }.cnn_stryccnwsp2 .cnn_stryccnwsp3 { width:100% }Most PopularToday's five most popular storiesOpposition: Syrian forces deploy heavy weapons as battle for Aleppo intensifies Syrian forces, rebels fight to control Aleppo broadcast centerLollapalooza coming to Israel in 2013His other car is on MarsOlympic badminton players disqualified for trying to losecnnad_createAd("680179","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=300x150_rgt&cnn_intl_rollup=world_sport&cnn_intl_section=football&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","150","300");cnnad_registerSpace(680179,300,150);

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