Manchester United's value breaks through $3 billion ceiling

Manchester United is the first professional sports franchise in the world to be worth $3 billion.

A recent increase in the English soccer club's stock price pushed its estimated value to $3.3 billion, well ahead of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys at $2.1 billion, Forbes reported.

After a dip in first-quarter earnings, Manchester United has seen its shares rise from $14 in August to $17. New sponsorship deals, improved earnings and the team's success on the field this year in the English Premiership have made the club more valuable, according to Forbes.

The Glazer family has the largest controlling interest in Manchester United and investor George Soros holds a 7 1/2 percent stake.