A 30th season and an $850m franchise: is the WNBA’s rocketing growth sustainable?
Summary
The WNBA is celebrating its 30th season amid significant growth in team values, player salaries, and fan interest. New team ownership deals and expansions show increased investment and enthusiasm in women’s professional basketball in North America.Key Facts
- The WNBA started in 1997 with 8 original teams; now it has 15 teams.
- The Connecticut Sun was sold for $300 million to Tilman Fertitta, marking a record price for a WNBA team.
- The new ownership plans to rename the Sun as the Houston Comets, a former successful WNBA franchise.
- The Comets were originally highly successful but disbanded in 2008 due to financial struggles.
- Recent expansion teams have paid between $50 million and $250 million to join the league.
- The Golden State Valkyries, starting in 2025, set a WNBA attendance record and are valued around $1 billion.
- The New York Liberty is valued at around $600 million, making it the league’s second most valuable team.
- League Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called this period a “transformational moment” for the WNBA.
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