Champ Giants Still Underdogs

Average team worth over $1B

(NEWSER) - The NFL is the richest pro sports league in the world, with the average value of each franchise topping $1 billion, reports Bloomberg. The combined value of the league jumped 7% from last year and has more than tripled since Forbes began ranking the teams 10 years ago. The jump is primarily attributed to new stadiums and increased sponsorship deals. The Dallas Cowboys remain at the top of the list, with a value of $1.61 billion. More»

(AP) - The New York Giants kicked off their Super Bowl title defense with what else—defense. Playing without Pro Bowl linemen Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, the defense limited the new-look Washington Redskins to 11 first downs and 209 total yards and gave indications that these Giants are back for another run in a 16-7 victory that ushered in the NFL season. More»

(NEWSER) - Former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan won’t be back on the field for another season. Strahan has turned down the injury-plagued team’s offer to bring him back from retirement, FOXSports.com reports. The Pro Bowler said the price was right, but he wasn’t willing to put his body through another NFL season. Instead, he’ll stick to the broadcasting booth for his new gig with Fox. More»

With team stung by injury to Umenyiora, defensive end open to NFL return

(NEWSER) - Comebacks always have a price tag attached, and for former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, it’d take $8 million to lure him out of his 77-day retirement, a source tells the New York Daily News. "If the Giants make a sincere overture, it's a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back," the source says. More»

Giants' sack-happy defensive end says he's retiring at 36; TV gig may be next

(NEWSER) - Michael Strahan is retiring after 15 years with the New York Giants, ESPN reports. The defensive end, 36, set the NFL's single-season sacks record with 22.5 sacks during the 2001 season, participated in seven Pro Bowls, and got his first Super Bowl ring earlier this year. Strahan walks away from the $4 million final year of his contract. More»