WNBA franchises see record valuation growth in 2025

WNBA franchises increased in value by an average of 180% since last year, setting a record

The Golden State Valkyries is already generating *** lot of excitement here in the Bay Area, and that's before they even tipped off here at Chase Center over in Oakland now today at their training facility. More excitement as they introduced two of their draft picks with the number 17 pick in the WNBA draft. This week, the Valkyrie selected Cheyenne Sellers, *** guard from the University of Maryland. She helped take her team to the NCAA tournament, and now she'll help build the culture of the latest WNBA expansion team. I feel like we're kind of looked at as underdogs, and I, I love taking on that role and The best thing about it is that no one knows what to expect from us. We get to write our own story and create our own destiny, and I think that's the most exciting part. The Valkyries also selected Caitlin Chin with the 30th pick. Chen, *** guard from UConn, just helped the Huskies claim the national title less than 2 weeks ago. This is *** once in *** lifetime thing that happens, so making sure I make the most of. Winning the national championship and then having the best time at the draft with my teammates and then now being here and being able to experience this with Cheyenne so just sort of taking everything in and making the most of it. The Golden State Valkyries are the first WNBA team to sell over 10,000 season tickets, and that's before they've even played their first game. However, that will be in just *** few weeks on May 6th here at the Chase Center, and they will face the LA Sparks in San Francisco, Sarah McGrew, KCRA 3 News.

Updated: 2:58 PM CDT Jun 25, 2025

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WNBA franchises increased in value by an average of 180% since last year, setting a record

Updated: 2:58 PM CDT Jun 25, 2025

Editorial Standards ��

The 13 franchises of the WNBA increased in value by an average of 180% over the last year, according to research by Sportico, which is more than “double the previous biggest year-over-year gain for a major sports league.”According to Sportico, the teams are collectively worth $3.5 billion and on average, each franchise is worth $269 million, vastly more than the $96 million the average team was worth in 2024. The previous biggest year gain was seen by the NBA in 2014 after Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers.TV ratings, merchandise sales, attendance and revenue increases over the last 12 months have led to the explosion of valuation for WNBA teams, per Sportico.The most valuable team is the WNBA’s newest one, the Golden State Valkyries, which �� despite only making its debut this season �� is valued at $500 million by Sportico.The Valkyries are tied to the Golden State Warriors, the NBA’s most valuable team with whom they share an arena. They became the first WNBA expansion team to hit 10,000 season tickets sold in their first season.Sportico estimates that the Valkyries should make more than $70 million in revenue in 2025, more than double what any WNBA team made in 2024.The second-highest valued team is the defending champion New York Liberty, which grew by 222% in valuation �� the second-largest gain over the last year �� and is valued at $420 million.But the largest growth seen by a single franchise was seen by the Indiana Fever.The Fever, led by superstar point guard Caitlin Clark, grew by 273%, ranking third overall with a $335 million valuation.Clark’s arrival in Indianapolis in 2024 has made the Fever must-watch basketball. Sportico estimates that the team generated $34 million in revenue last season �� nearly a 300% increase year-on-year �� and their gameday merchandise sales per person were higher than any NBA team.The Fever’s average of more than 17,000 home fans for games last season was more than six NBA teams this season and three MLB teams in 2024.Sportico says it calculated its valuations through conversations with more than 30 people involved with the league, including bankers, lawyers, investors, consultants, team executives and owners. The totals include real estate assets tied to the franchises and are in line with each team’s revenues based on publicly available information and financial records.

The 13 franchises of the WNBA increased in value by an average of 180% over the last year, , which is more than “double the previous biggest year-over-year gain for a major sports league.��

According to Sportico, the teams are collectively worth $3.5 billion and on average, each franchise is worth $269 million, vastly more than the $96 million the average team was worth in 2024. The previous biggest year gain was seen by the NBA in 2014 after Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers.

TV ratings, merchandise sales, attendance and revenue increases over the last 12 months have led to the explosion of valuation for WNBA teams, per Sportico.

The most valuable team is the WNBA’s newest one, the Golden State Valkyries, which �� despite only making its debut this season �� is valued at $500 million by Sportico.

The Valkyries are tied to the Golden State Warriors, the NBA’s most valuable team with whom they share an arena. They became the first WNBA expansion team to hit 10,000 season tickets sold in their first season.

Sportico estimates that the Valkyries should make more than $70 million in revenue in 2025, more than double what any WNBA team made in 2024.

The second-highest valued team is the defending champion New York Liberty, which grew by 222% in valuation �� the second-largest gain over the last year �� and is valued at $420 million.

But the largest growth seen by a single franchise was seen by the Indiana Fever.

The Fever, led by superstar point guard Caitlin Clark, grew by 273%, ranking third overall with a $335 million valuation.

Clark’s arrival in Indianapolis in 2024 has made the Fever must-watch basketball. Sportico estimates that the team generated $34 million in revenue last season �� nearly a 300% increase year-on-year �� and their gameday merchandise sales per person were higher than any NBA team.

The Fever’s average of more than 17,000 home fans for games last season was more than six NBA teams this season and three MLB teams in 2024.

Sportico says it calculated its valuations through conversations with more than 30 people involved with the league, including bankers, lawyers, investors, consultants, team executives and owners. The totals include real estate assets tied to the franchises and are in line with each team’s revenues based on publicly available information and financial records.

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WNBA franchises increased in value by an average of 180% since last year, setting a record

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