Over that span, the league has made changes to sustain the WNBA as both a sports league and a profession for womens basketball players. Arctos Sports Partners nabbed a 17% stake in the Sacramento Kings at a $1.84 billion valuation last month,just above our February estimate of $1.825 billion. Though Oakland is the 45th-biggest American city by population, its larger than two current WNBAmarkets (Minneapolis and Uncasville, Conn.), and the Bay Area comprising San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose is the nations sixth-largest media market. High point: Going 20-12 and making their lone playoff appearance in 2001, falling to New York. Previous transactions have valued WNBA teams in that range, showing only middling growth in franchise values over the last 20 years. The information used to compile our valuations primarily came from the teams, sports bankers, media consultants and public documents, like arena lease agreements and bond documents. The Fever are part of the Indiana Pacers organization, one of four teams in our top 10 that are still affiliated with an NBA team (Minnesota, Phoenix and Washington are the others). Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban ( $4.2 billion) falls just short and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan ( $1.6 billion) is well outside the top 10. But when she has been on the court, it has made all the difference for the Mystics. Low point: An 8-26 final season in San Antonio in 2017, when it was clear the Spurs ownership group had completely lost interest in the Stars. It has just never been the right time. 1 in 2001, Charlotte bypassed Catchings with the No. Austin is a true sports fan. She has also played in WCBA and Turkish League. High point: Going 6-0 in the 2000 playoffs, sweeping Sacramento, Los Angeles and New York to win their fourth consecutive title. The Lynx stewed for a year after a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Sparks on Nneka Ogwumike's putback in the 2016 WNBA Finals. MLS averaged 277,000 viewers for its 2021 regular season games and 1.14 million viewers for its single, winner-take-all championship game. The Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets were next with values of about $1 billion each. And Brondello is the longtime coach of Phoenix Mercury. The Sparks are owned by Hollywood entertainment industry couple Harry and Pamela Manheimer. Expansion could allow the league to increase its schedule the WNBA is already playing a record 36 games this season and to offer broadcast partners a larger content package, or give it more inventory to split among interested buyers. 1 pick. From there it's a fair drop off to Seattle Sounders on $705 million and New York City on $655 million. Franchise journey: Detroit was in the first WNBA expansion wave with Washington in 1998, and made the playoffs just once in its first five seasons. Ticket sales account for $50 million, or more than 83 percent of the WNBA's overall revenue. Other notable stars: DeWanna Bonner, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Candice Dupree, Brittney Griner, Cappie Pondexter, Tangela Smith, Penny Taylor. Regular-season record: 210-186 Then we had to build an arena (Chase Center). By 2005, Brunson, Lawson, Powell and Walker joined the team and Sacramento won the title. Face of the franchise: Sheryl Swoopes (1997-2007) Manage Settings But they never gained traction, and when the WNBA opted to allow non-NBA ownership after the 2002 season, the Miracle were bought by the Mohegan Tribe and moved to Connecticut for 2003. Championships: None That history is ancient history, she said. The other four originals -- the Charlotte Sting, the Cleveland Rockers, the Houston Comets and Sacramento Monarchs -- are gone, but not forgotten by fans. It has been nearly 15 years since the WNBA last expanded, adding the Atlanta Dream as its then-14th team before the 2008 season. (Ray Chavez /The Mercury News via Getty Images), Could Scotiabank Arena be home to a future WNBA team? By 2003, all but one team was breaking even or losing money. Take, for example, the New York Knicks. Force 10 has never wavered in its commitment to the WNBA and the Seattle community. The Knicks have many assets, including World Class Talent, a passionate fan base, and their home arena, Madison Square Garden. Other than in 2008 and 2012, they've made the playoffs every year since. Via ESPN. The three highest earners in the WNBA, including Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, each received an average of 228.09 thousand U.S. dollars for their . The Liberty lost Game 3 and the series, but "The Shot" lives on. Looming over this process, however, is the value of a WNBA franchise. Championships: Four (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020) Rookie Wire took a look at the NBA through games played on Sunday and ranked each team from worst to first. Said one league source: Logistically Toronto would be difficult until the league moves to charter flights. The earliest opportunity to amend the WNBA travel restrictions would be during the next CBA negotiations (which the league or WNBPA can opt out of in November 2024), and as of now, sources say, less than half of league owners have been vocal in their support of chartering flights. When compared to the NBA, the WNBA generates a far bigger portion of its revenue from ticket sales. Franchise journey: The Miracle were part of the Orlando Magic organization and had some real talent in their short stay in Florida. Three teams the Knicks, Warriors and Lakers are now worth over $5 billion each, according to Sportico, while the average NBA team is valued around $2.4 billion. The average price of a ticket is just over $100. It is just a timing process though. And Carter's future seems uncertain. The Seattle Storm were able to turn around their financial situation and start making money. In addition to the $12.3 million that the players receive, another $18 million comes from corporate sponsors. Playoff appearances (record): Seven (8-18) But Davis has been very involved, so the change seems positive for the future. Championships: None WNBA career stats leaders: Margo Dydek in blocks (877) and block percentage (8.99); Jennifer Azzi in 3-point field goal percentage (45.8) Revealing those values is taboo across the league. Franchise journey: The Fire were owned by the Portland Trail Blazers' Paul Allen, but not for long. Regular-season record: 390-397 Best players: Diamond DeShields, Candace Parker, Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot. The Sparks were originally based in San Francisco but moved to Los Angeles in 2005. Other notable stars: Tully Bevilaqua, Sylvia Crawley, Kristin Folkl, DeMya Walker, Sophia Witherspoon. Every team in the league is worth at least $1.5 billion, per Forbes' estimates. Regular-season record: 204-306 At his highest, Joe Tsai was worth nearly $15 billion but over the past two years has . But the Wings haven't done much yet, losing single-elimination games in their two playoff appearances. High point: Led by Diggins-Smith, making the playoffs in their second year in Dallas. MVPs: None For picks No. In the next few months, the most talked about issue in the WNBA should finally have some clarity. The Wings had the top two picks in this year's admittedly weak draft. Low point: Going 17-51 over their last two seasons and then folding in January 2007 after 10 seasons in Charlotte. Regular-season record: 87-99 The capital raise valued the league at $475 million, according to multiple sources, and the WNBA gave away roughly 16 percent equity in itself to investors as a result of that process. Engelbert said adding two teams would be ideal, but one additional team would still be considered a success. We had to build a (Warriors) team and business organization. How does marketing in the WNBA stack up against the NBA . When comedian Wanda Sykes guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live last July, Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike was a guest on the talk show. The community is very supportive and excited about the opportunity for the WNBA. Williams, a two-sport All-American in basketball and volleyball at UCLA, was the Starzz' best player after she came from the ABL, and was also was a Utah native. In the WNBA, Vandersloot holds the records for most assists in a season, most assists-per-game in a season, and most career assists-per-game. Low point: There hasn't been one, although the Aces were disappointed to be swept by Seattle in the 2020 Finals. The offer was enticing enough that chairman Max Abrahams and his team put in an offer to acquire that franchise for a price of $3.5 million. 28. Sabally at 22 has a bright future, and Gray at 26 has been one of the Wings' most dependable players the past five seasons. Record last year: 12-10 (6th out of 12 teams) Team goal: Win the . Owners: Jerry Buss Family Trusts, Mark Walter, Todd Boehly, Owners: Wycliffe Grousbeck, Irving Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca, Robert Epstein, Owners: Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, Larry Tanenbaum, Owners: Holt family, Sixth Street Partners, Owners: Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan, Owners: Clayton Bennett, George Kaiser, Aubrey McClendon estate, Owners: Glen Taylor, Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez. During the 2021 season, the Portland Thorns led the NWSL in attendance with more than 14,000 fans per game more than double the next closest team and through the early parts of the 2022 season, the club has averaged more than 13,000 fans per game, second only to expansion team Angel City FC (Los Angeles), which has a population more than six times Portlands. As previously noted, the WNBA generates an average of $60 million in income every year. The Business Of Basketball. In mid-January 2022, CAA Icon presented the Sports Authority Board with a report that found solid interest in the initiative. She plays power forward in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Playoff appearances (record): 13 (18-30) They traded Smith, a future Hall of Famer, to Detroit in late July 2005. MVPs: Tina Charles (2012) New Orleans Pelicans: $1.35 billion. All figures are in U.S. dollars based on the average U.S.-Canada exchange rates during the 2020-21 season. Unlike other professional leagues, like the NFL and NBA, where playoffs are determined by conference or division winners, the WNBAplayoffs are determined by the teams that finish with the top eight records, so adding a single team wouldnt change that much of the equation. Los Angeles Lakers. Playoff appearances (record): One (1-2) The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It was named one of the WNBAs inaugural Gamechangers (an investor program launched by Engelbertin 2020), was an investor in the recent capital raise and owns equity in the league. Face of the franchise: Merlakia Jones (1997-2003) We have the eyeballs locked in. Championships: Four (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) He also finished first or second in the MVP voting on eight other occasions. (The Comets dedicated that season to her.). High point: A franchise-best 29-5 regular-season record plus a 7-1 playoff mark in the Mercury's 2014 championship season. The league announced Friday afternoon that it had approved sale of the franchise. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. With an ownership group already vetted by the NBA and their own arena, the Warriors loom as a strong option if the league decides to enter the fray to bring an expansion team to the Bay Area. The New York Knicks are the most valuable franchise in the NBA, with an estimated value of $4 billion. LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers are now valued at $5.5 billion, joining the New York Knicks . The average NHL team is worth an estimated $930 million, compared to $3.5 billion in the NFL, $2.3 billion in the NBA and $2.2 billion in MLB. This would be the first time the league has added an expansion team since the Atlanta Dream were founded in 2008. A year later, the Sacramento Monarchs which had won a championship just four seasons earlier ceased operations after it failed to secure a relocation bid. Plum and Hamby are the key players from San Antonio still with Las Vegas. However, through the efforts of the owners and their partners, the WNBA has become a successful business venture. Vandersloot to New York, the rise of superteams and a Liberty-Aces WNBA Finals? Signing free agents such as McCoughtry in 2020 (although she is out this season with a knee injury) and Gray this year were big moves, as was obtaining Cambage via trade in 2019. WNBA salary: $170,000. Championships: None He also owns the Rangers baseball team. Playoff appearances (record): Nine (20-14) Face of the franchise: Liz Cambage (2011-13) Franchise journey: Should the Wings really be ranked behind the long-gone Sting and Rockers? Another, the Utah Starzz, are now the Las Vegas Aces, with a 15-year stop in between in San Antonio. In 2009, the Detroit Shock sold for approximately $5 million, based on legal documents filed by its then-owners. The WNBA has said that it intends to keep ticket prices affordable. The league called it "the largest-ever capital raise for a women's sports property." . They went the distance in 2017, too, but this time Minnesota won the decisive fifth game for its fourth title. She made it clear before being drafted No. MVPs: Breanna Stewart (2018), Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007, 2010) Regular-season record: 60-68 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu in the third game of last season with an ankle injury, and ending 2020 with a franchise-low two victories. Engelbert named the NHL, NASCAR and MLS as peers in terms of viewership numbers but also as leagues with annual rates five to 15 times higher than the WNBA. Low point: Having the distinction of being the only WNBA franchise to never make a playoff appearance. They were established in 1968 and play all their home games at Fiserv Forum. Though that method of valuation is unusual in comparison to how other professional sports leagues conduct their valuations, it also places the average value of a WNBA team at more than $43.75 million. Another reason for the jump is the high expectations for the next round of national media deals, which would begin with the 2025-26 season. Very successful.. WNBA career stats leaders: Tamika Catchings in win shares (93.66), defensive win shares (36.52), steals (1,074) and steals per game (2.35) The Yankees and Knicks have the same owner: James Dolan. Other notable stars: Elena Baranova, Debbie Black, Sandy Brondello, Betty Lennox, Ruth Riley. Expansion has been the hot-button issue of the WNBA through the entirety of Engelberts tenure as commissioner. The average NBA team is now worth $2.86 billion, 15% more than a year ago, an impressive feat considering the stock market is down more than 15% over the same span. But with an abundance of talent, increased womens basketball television viewership and college players rising notoriety with new Name, Image, Likeness legislation, expansion is finally again on the horizon. Cooper's career ended after Houston's fourth consecutive title in 2000 (she returned at age 40 to play four more games in 2003), and that was when other teams in the league caught up. WNBA career stats leaders: Cheryl Ford in total rebound percentage (20.47) Minnesota Timberwolves: $1.43 billion, 15. MVPs: None The Star made the playoffs in seven of Hammon's eight years with San Antonio. Finally, people are understanding the value of the WNBAand what we offer.. After she retired following the 2014 season, the Stars went 23-79 in their last three seasons in Texas before moving to Las Vegas to become the Aces. The 2022 WNBA Draft is just one day away, but the drama has already started with a blockbuster trade that saw the Washington Mystics send the No . WNBA career stats leaders: Courtney Vanderslooot in assists per game (6.7) Franchise journey: The Utah Starzz were an original WNBA franchise in 1997, but the Utah Jazz were not a very engaged owner and the team moved to San Antonio to become part of the Spurs organization in 2003. The group has an exclusive negotiation agreement with the city of Oakland to acquire 50 percent of Oakland Arena where the Warriors played until they moved in 2019 and have a non-binding lease agreement with the arena. The lowest of . The NHLs Predators, the arenas main tenant, have publicly supported the Nashville Sports Councils Women in Sports Initiative, which indicates they would be open to discussing sharing Bridgestone Arena if an ownership group came forward. The Mystics, who came into the WNBA with Detroit in the first wave of expansion in 1998, had 12 coaches in their first 15 seasons, changing leadership during a season four different times. Playoff appearances (record): 15 (27-36) Low point: Having their best record (20-12) and making their first conference finals appearance in 2002 wasn't enough to keep the team in Utah. Filling the number 10 spot on the list is the Toronto Raptors. Championships: Three (2007, 2009, 2014) Along with its three titles, Los Angeles has two other trips to the WNBA Finals, falling to Detroit in 2003 and Minnesota in 2017, and has played in every postseason since 2011. Face of the franchise: Sue Bird (2002-present) Face of the franchise: Tamika Catchings (2002-2016) WNBA mock draft: Villanova's Siegrist soars into lottery pick, Serena, Griner honored at NAACP Image Awards, Sparks officially re-sign forward N. Ogwumike, Griner on court in 1st open workout since release, WNBA draft set for N.Y., to have 'Orange Carpet', 2-time All-Star C. Ogwumike back with Sparks, Griner officially rejoins Mercury in 'special signing', Yang joins Sparks after FIBA silver with China, WNBA trade grades: Why Wings, Liberty earn top marks in Saturday's four-team trade. Low point: The sale of the franchise to Tulsa, which was a re-set with new ownership, new staff and none of the stars from Detroit. Ticket sales and sponsorships are large revenue drivers. Serena Williams and Brittney Griner were each honored at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, when Williams won the Jackie Robinson Sports Award and . The WNBA has produced an average net loss of $10M per year. MVPs: Maya Moore (2014), Sylvia Fowles (2017) Engelberts valuations, and the math to get there, give the WNBAs first public declaration of how much its teams are worth, or perceived to be worth, over the last few years. After arena debt service . 1 pick in the 1998 draft, she was a fan favorite in five seasons in Utah and the rest of her career in San Antonio, Connecticut and Los Angeles. Excitingly for the league, the average cost of WNBA tickets has an opportunity to rise even further today. A clear choice as the WNBA's best point guard, Vandersloot earned back-to-back All-WNBA First Team nods on the strength of her record-setting assist rates. Who are the highest-earning Major League Baseball teams? Also clouding the leagues expansion plans are the financial positions of current teams. Boston Celtics: $3.2 . Just two years later, WNBA was formed to promote the women's sport and officially had its commencement in 1997. The Comets were 98-24 in the regular season and 16-3 in the playoffs in the league's first four years. This amounts to a profit margin of 17%. They are a team constantly on the edge of relegation/promotion between the Colombian A and B soccer league, which isn't even in the top 10 in the world. However, Riley went on to win two championships playing for the Detroit Shock, and Lennox was the WNBA Finals MVP with the champion Seattle Storm in 2004. Low point: Becoming the first of the original eight WNBA teams to fold, after the 2003 season. Engelbert, however, said she does not believe those precedents are in play for franchise valuations going forward. In the league, were in big investment mode. The NBA has revenues of $8.3B/year, while the WNBA only generates $60M (as we said . The presentation will show that Nashville has the infrastructure to support a team. MVPs: None League sources believe Philadelphia has potential as an eventual expansion city, but it would likely mean the involvement of the 76ers both financially and in terms of an arena. Curry remains one of the best players in the game (96), and the team sports a plethora of young, promising players in Jordan Poole (81) and Jonathan Kuminga (79). PHOENIX - The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today re-signed the face of the franchise and the Greatest of All-Time, Diana Taurasi, to a multi-year contract, the team announced. Former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and businessman Marc Lore are in the process of buying the Timberwolves/Lynx. "The way we are right now, this team, as it is right . The NBA, however, turns a profit of roughly $2.1B per year, which is what allows them to payout 50% of the league revenue to players. With the 2021 WNBA season tipping off Friday, we took a look at the league's highest-paid players. Mark Davis bought the Aces from MGM last year for a little over $2 million. Face of the franchise: Margo Dydek (1998-2002) High point: Defeating Minnesota on the Lynx's home court in Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals for the Sparks' third title, and first in 14 years. And on senior night, No. She told The Athletic that the value of the WNBAs 12 individual teams plus the league itself is worth over $1 billion. The brothers also own NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, and before that, had an interest in the Indianapolis Pacers of the NBA. After losing in the 1998 WNBA Finals, the Mercury missed the playoffs seven of the next eight years. Championships: One (2012) He is known for being one of the founders of Microsoft and also owns the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. It sets its own prices and doesn't have a national television contract so it can increase or decrease its exposure by choosing which games to play and when. She has broken the WNBA mark for assists . The WNBAhas seen significant growth in viewership over the last five years. League all-time leaders: Sue Bird in assists (3,031) and games (545) Trinity Valley Community College Is the Hoops Dynasty You . We really want to set up new owners for success., Engelbert estimates an 18- to 24-month timeline from the identification of a new team to its inaugural season. Though 76ers owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have bought a number of franchises outside of the Sixers, anything linking the 76ers ownership group to a WNBAexpansion franchise would be premature, a source said. In 2019, it was $74,349. The city already has used this kind of financing for sports arenas. As an organization, we embrace anyone whose mission is to grow basketball in our region, and with a WNBA team, we would look forward to expanding the reach of our great game together, the Blazers said in a statement. Signing Chicago native Candace Parker as a free agent for this season was part of the Sky pushing their chips toward the middle of the table while she and the VanderQuigs are still in a championship window. MVPs: Elena Delle Donne (2015) A league source said Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the group that owns the Raptors, has done its due diligence to bring an expansion franchise to Toronto. Joe Tsai. Nashville has this reputation and has earned it well just looking at Major League Soccer, from moving from the bottom of the list to the top, Fawknotson said, referencing Nashville FC. 2023 RANKING; Billionaire Secrets The Business Of . The report estimated the franchise's value at $2 billion, making it the most expensive team in the league. First-year Wings coach Vickie Johnson has a lot to work with, but it's also a tough league in which to be this young. That it came on the University of Minnesota's home court where Whalen played as a collegian (Target Center was being renovated) made it all the more memorable. It averaged 75,000 viewers per regular season game in 2017, according to Nielsen, but that more than doubled to 162,000 viewers per nationally televised game last season. It has a rabid basketball fan base, with love for not only the 76ers but five local college teams. By far. Golden State Warriors: $4.7 billion. So that's one year, unprotected, at the . I strongly suspect they are worth more than any WNBA team. Maybe the magic of the franchise's early years can be recaptured, along with its first championship. They had an engaged fan base that loved the "Bad Girls" style reminiscent of Laimbeer's "Bad Boys" playing days in Detroit, plus the explosive skill of Nolan, who was from nearby Flint, Michigan. Beard was a four-time WNBAAll-Star and won a championship in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks. Regular-season record: 340-444 In the last decade, womens college basketball has become one of the most popular sports in the state with Oregon and Oregon State ranking among the top 25 nationally in attendance per game from 2017 to 2020. The Tulsa Shock then moved before the 2016 season to Dallas to become the Wings. Its amazing to see it all happening. Championships: Three (2001, 2002, 2016) After reading about how he increased his father's fortune from $750 million to an estimated $6-7 billion, I suppose you wouldn't expect anything less from him. - it's no wonder why Liz Cambage's earnings ar eup there. The fact that doesnt happen in the WNBA as quickly or freely makes it difficult to assess the market worth of a team; it can also confound potential buyers about how much they need to get into the league.