Regular-season record: 143-179 MVPs: None This is the perfect time, she said. One person familiar with running a WNBA team and how its finances work said that breaking even is usually the goal for a franchise. Low point: Going 14-20 in 2012, their seventh consecutive season missing the playoffs with a losing record since the franchise launched in 2006. Only tangentially related, but Atltico Bucaramanga is with around $10 million. For the first time, there are three NBAfranchisesworthmore than$5 billion:theNew York Knicks (No. Other notable stars: Kahleah Copper, Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Candice Dupree, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker, Cheyenne Parker, Epiphanny Prince, Allie Quigley, Tamera Young. With the "face of the franchise" category, we list the years she was with that team, which is not necessarily how long she was (or still is) in the WNBA. 4 min read. Three original franchises are still in the same place in 2021: the Los Angeles Sparks, the New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury, although the Liberty are now in Brooklyn instead of Manhattan. 8. Franchise journey: They made four playoff appearances in their seven seasons, but the Rockers were gone before they really had a chance to make an impact. The WNBAs capital raise, she said, is further indication that now is the time to get involved with the league. Every team . Face of the franchise: Elena Delle Donne (2017-present) Championships: None 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. And if we can do that, were gonna get a great next round of media deals.. Championships: None Other notable stars: Iziane Castro Marques, Erika de Souza, Armintie Harrington, Tiffany Hayes, Sancho Lyttle, Courtney Williams, Elizabeth Williams. The global financial crisis of 2007-08 took a toll on the WNBA, which lost Charlotte in January 2007, Houston in December 2008 and Sacramento in December 2009. Get Forbes daily top headlines delivered straight to your inboxfor news on the worlds most important entrepreneurs and superstars, expert career advice and success secrets. Best players: Diamond DeShields, Candace Parker, Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot. Memphis Grizzlies: $1.36 billion. In 2011, they won the draft lottery, which brought UConn superstar Moore as the No. Championships: None 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. High point: Stiles, on the heels of a magical run to the Final Four with Missouri State, winning WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2001 -- yes, over Seattle's Lauren Jackson, which really shouldn't have happened. In addition to the $12.3 million that the players receive, another $18 million comes from corporate sponsors. We have the eyeballs locked in. The Lynx resembled their parent organization, the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, in lack of success. So I think our newest data is our capital raise and the huge, huge commitment we got from that investor group.. The Milwaukee Bucks are the next richest basketball team in the NBA. It was none other than the NBA itself who took the initiative of doing this. We recognize how important sport is to girls and women in Toronto and across Canada, and are eager to support organizations and initiatives which have the possibility to transform lives, MLSE said in a statement. Playoff appearances (record): Eight (30-19) Ticket sales and sponsorships are large revenue drivers. AASEG has spent the past year developing a proposal for the league. Nashville Municipal Auditorium seats only 8,000, but it currently only hosts home events for the Nashville Roller Girls on a monthly basis so scheduling would be easier than at Bridgestone. Over that span, the league has made changes to sustain the WNBA as both a sports league and a profession for womens basketball players. Bird has been a key factor for all four titles and is a primary icon of the WNBA. Theprivate equity firmalsobought just under 5%of the Golden State Warriorsat a$5.5 billion valuation in April, thehigh-water markfor a minority stake and 17% above our last estimate. Other notable stars: Alana Beard, Tamecka Dixon, Chelsea Gray, Mwadi Mabika, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Kristi Toliver. The Chicago Sky are owned by Joe and Michael Birch. Playoff appearances (record): Six (8-14) The WNBA has one of the more flexible business models in sports. Owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers, their last season was the summer that LeBron James was the No. but the NHL's Washington Capitals, two arena football teams, a WNBA team and Capital One Arena. 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. Powers, who won a title with the Washington Mystics in 2019, recently signed a new contract to join the Minnesota Lynx. Just as he cited the old American Football League in explaining why he chose to make Becky Hammon the leagues first million-dollar salaried coach, he used it to explain the need for more revenue. WNBA career stats leaders: Elena Delle Donne in free throw percentage (93.9) and offensive rating (124.85) The Knicks receive most of their revenue from selling tickets ($97 million) and some amount from basketball licensing ($25 million). The top cumulative contracts are four-year deals worth $899,480. The Raptors are worth a reported $2.74 billion making them the country's most valued sports franchise. Considering they've already reached the Finals and had an MVP, the building blocks to long-term success are in place. Toronto Raptors - $2.1 Billion. 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. And on senior night, No. Theres no better time to invest in womens sports than now. Two-Way Tie Between Teams. The oldest player is 28-year-old Thornton. If you look at the NFL, were getting $10.1 billion a year for television and the WNBA is getting $30 million a year. WNBA career stats leaders: Sylvia Fowles in rebounds (3,640), rebounding average (9.81) and field goal percentage (59.6) The estimated net worth of Mark Davis, an American businessman and owner of a professional sports team, is $1.9 billion. The most recent sale of a franchise occurred when Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore agreed to a $1.5 billion deal to buy . According to Forbes, the NBA's total revenue in 2010-11 was $3.96 billion. There was definite fan interest and a good relationship between the Spurs and Stars. Here Are The Top-10 Most Valuable NBA Teams In 2020. Regular-season record: 224-200 From a 1983 agreement to cap payrolls, NBA Players are guaranteed at least 53% of league revenue. It is the fourth-largest media market in the country and the biggest one in which the WNBAdoes not already have a team. The organization did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes. Face of the franchise: Sheryl Swoopes (1997-2007) The incoming WNBA team would be able to play at either the Moda Center, where the Blazers play, or Veterans Coliseum, a 12,000-seat arena next to the Moda Center. The WNBA has whittled its list to 10 to 12 cities, Engelbert said, after it began with 100 possible locations for its new franchises. Golden State Warriors. Davis owns the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders and has been a proponent of spending more . Elena Delle Donne - $221,450. The WNBA has produced an average net loss of $10M per year. The Hornets moved to New Orleans after the 2001-02 NBA season, but the Sting stayed put. Championships: None Browns interest has support from the city and from the NBA team. When the Shock started 0-10 in 2002, former Detroit Pistons star Bill Laimbeer came in as head coach, which began a massive turnaround. The arena is owned by the city, which would allow for necessary upgrades through tax increment financing. Other notable stars: Vickie Johnson, Ann Wauters, Sophia Young-Malcolm, Kayla McBride, Jia Perkins, Ruth Riley, Danielle Robinson. Regular-season record: 87-99 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. Several sources said few WNBA teams are currently profitable. Vandersloot to New York, the rise of superteams and a Liberty-Aces WNBA Finals? While the Fire lasted just three seasons, the surge in women's basketball's popularity in the state thanks to the success of the Oregon and Oregon State women's programs in recent years makes Portland a place many think the WNBA should reconsider someday. If the WNBA paid out the same revenue split as the NBA (50-50 . From 2007-2013, the Sparks were owned first by Gemini Basketball and then Williams Group Holdings, but there was concern in late 2013/early 2014 that the franchise might move when Williams opted out of ownership. When the WNBA was first established in 1996, it had only two other major sponsors besides Nike: Coca-Cola and McDonald's. 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. Golden State Warriors: $4.7 billion. Face of the franchise: Seimone Augustus (2006-2019) Portland has shown consistently that were at the top of the list in supporting womens franchises and events, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said. Playoff appearances (record): 20 (47-43) 28. Secondly, in order to get the players more money, we obviously need more revenue. Face of the franchise: Angel McCoughtry (2009-2019) Rookie Wire took a look at the NBA through games played on Sunday and ranked each team from worst to first. Visit ESPN to view 2022 WNBA stat leaders. These are usually only available during the off-season since there is no collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players association like there is with the NBA so salaries cannot be discussed ahead of time. The average price of a ticket is just over $100. Playoff appearances (record): 15 (27-36) Low point: Losing the 2012 Eastern finals to Indiana, after which coach Mike Thibault was fired and went to Washington. Face of the franchise: Tamika Catchings (2002-2016) Regular-season record: 241-149 The Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks produced the most income in the NBA, with 474 million US dollars and 421 million US dollars, respectively. An unlucky injury for Tennessee star Catchings -- she tore her ACL, which prematurely ended her senior season -- was fortuitous for the Fever. The Comets were so crucial a part of the early WNBA and left such an impression that it's still sometimes hard to believe they've been gone for more than a decade. Basically, everything that could go wrong did go wrong for six mostly downbeat seasons. Since the Knicks haven't posted their financial statements online like most other teams, they were given an exemption by Forbes to be able to calculate their value. Regular-season record: 60-68 Its amazing to see it all happening. 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. has raised $75 million from more than two dozen investors in a bid to revamp its business model as players call for expansion, higher salaries and better benefits. Among the new owners is former Dream star Renee Montgomery, who retired to fight for social justice. Delle Donne, wanting to be closer to her Delaware home, pushed for a trade to Washington after the 2016 season and has won a title with the Mystics. MVPs: Elena Delle Donne (2015) Which is the most valuable team in the NBA? Face of the franchise: Deanna Nolan (2001-2009) The franchise took momentum with them to Texas, having had winning records in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and making the playoffs in their last two seasons in Utah. Now, a Portland entrepreneur is trying to bring a WNBAteam back to the city. Championships: Four (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) Playoff appearances (record): Two (2-5) Value: $2.75 billion. And the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz were in the Western Conference. Regular-season record: 204-251 Playoff appearances (record): Two (5-8) By years end, a new location will be named and expansion projections will include expansion draft projections as the league prepares to welcome another market, a new team and even more talent. 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. Cambage's selection as the face of the franchise is ironic. Heres a look at the six markets that seem the most prepared and probable to be on the short list for WNBAexpansion: During the fall of 2019, the Nashville Sports Authority board commissioned CAA Icon a consulting firm that works with venue owners and operations, professional sports franchises and sports leagues to conduct market research on the viability of and interest in a professional womens sports team in the city. MVPs: None The Forbes estimate does not include sales or sponsorship revenue which both teams enjoy, but instead focuses on the actual value of the Knicks' ownership interest. He also finished first or second in the MVP voting on eight other occasions. 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. But forward/center Parker would be the No. So, if you do the scales, its pretty tough to even fathom that. Then COVID hit. MVPs: Tina Charles (2012) The Birch family also has interests in MLB's Chicago Cubs and MLS' Chicago Fire. The next two seasons, Washington went 11-57. All figures are in U.S. dollars based on the average U.S.-Canada exchange rates during the 2020-21 season. She was also named one of the WNBA's top 20 players as part of the . In 2003, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority paid $10 million as an expansion fee for the Connecticut Sun, according to an SEC filing. The brothers also own NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, and before that, had an interest in the Indianapolis Pacers of the NBA. WNBA career stats leaders: Margo Dydek in blocks (877) and block percentage (8.99); Jennifer Azzi in 3-point field goal percentage (45.8) Three have been with single-digit victory totals, and they're closing in on the fourth. 1 draft pick in 2009 and led Atlanta to the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The NBA's Most Valuable Teams 2021-22: New York Knicks Lead A Trio Now Worth Over $5 Billion Each. They also own MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL's Los Angeles Rams. The deal occurred only after the NBA asked several league owners to step in to take over the franchise because it had languished on the market for more than 14 months, sources said. 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). Engelbert wouldnt confirm the expansion value, but she told The Athletic that fee sounds low, based on recent transactions and revenue multiples average revenue of a WNBA franchise if you take it on a multiple it would be higher than what you described. A second league source seconded Engelberts point. The lowest of . Mark Davis bought the Aces from MGM last year for a little over $2 million. 9 UConn (26-5) eked out a 60-51 win over Xavier, a team that is 7-22 on the season and 0-20 in conference play. Other notable stars: Essence Carson, Shameka Christon, Becky Hammon, Vickie Johnson, Rebecca Lobo, Betnijah Laney, Tari Phillips, Cappie Pondexter, Crystal Robinson, Tina Charles, Sue Wicks. Face of the franchise: A'ja Wilson (2018-present) Ticket sales account for $50 million, or more than 83 percent of the WNBA's overall revenue. Championships: None 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 . High point: Taking the 2019 WNBA Finals to a decisive fifth game before falling to Washington. He came back to New York for one final season in 2009 before announcing his retirement. In the last seven years of the Shock's existence in Detroit, they reached the playoffs each season, got to the WNBA Finals four times and won three titles. As the WNBA looks to grow, Lacob and the Warriors are interested in bringing a team to San Francisco, whether thats an expansion team or even an existing one. Other notable stars: Janeth Arcain, Kim Perrot, Michelle Snow, Tina Thompson. The Ducks peaked at the No. Florida grad Jones gets credit as the only player who was with the Rockers start to finish. What you need to know about the Chicago Sky. 2 picks: Fowles (in 2008) and Delle Donne (2013). Were going to try to change the narrative and change the actual quantitative valuation model, Engelbert said. Explained How The NBA Owns WNBA Teams And Who Are The New Team Owners. Alibaba is responsible for around 70% of mail packages in China. Others who had been with the 2009 Shock but did go to Tulsa -- such as Plenette Pierson, Shavonte Zellous and Kara Braxton -- were traded during that first season by coach/general manager Nolan Richardson. Abrahams said the WNBA has given the checkmark to all the infrastructure plans submitted by New Media Sports & Entertainment, including an arena (though, he wouldnt say which Toronto arena). Regular-season record: 390-397 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. Her fandom is not just performative. Houston would win just four more playoff games from 2001-2008 before folding after two seasons under owner Hilton Koch, who had bought the team from Alexander. Very successful.. Figures in USD $6200M for a 5-year period, so for the 2023 season this is USD $1240M for the League, $124M per team, $16.7M per match) Note that this is only the revenue from the sale of media rights to broadcasters. WNBA career stats leaders: Diana Taurasi in points (9,161), field goals made/attempted (2,887 of 6,703), 3-point field goals made/attempted (1,203 of 3,286) and free throws made/attempted (2,184 of 2,508) Regular-season record: 490-323 The current record-holder for most points scored in a WNBA game - an astonishing 53 points! When you think about NBA teams or MLB teams, NFL teams, people paid for what the value is, not necessarily what they are worth in that moment. And for the upcoming 2021 season, ESPN has split the difference, dropping to 25 games. MVPs: Tamika Catchings (2011) During that time, Taurasi joined the team, and she led the Mercury to their breakthrough championship in 2007. We always bet on Nashville. 3,$5.5 billion). It may come as a surprise to learn that the two highest profile owners in the sport don't make the cut. Teams cannot rely on a large national media rights deal. 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. High point: Winning the franchise's fourth title in 2020 during a pandemic-shortened season in an unprecedented "bubble" location in Florida. The Storm launched soon after the demise of the Seattle Reign of the short-lived ABL, so there was already a professional women's basketball audience in place. "I wish we . One of the most storied franchises in WNBA history, the Liberty began play as one of the WNBA's eight original teams and took part in the league's inaugural game, defeating the Los Angeles . Before Joe Lacob bought the Golden State Warriors, he was an investor in the American Basketball League, a competitor to the WNBA in the late 1990s. Former Senator Kelly Loeffler is out as an owner of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. Low point: Going 17-51 over their last two seasons and then folding in January 2007 after 10 seasons in Charlotte. Low point: The franchise folded during the height of the global financial crisis, after the 2008 season. That's when Sparks LA Sports, which included Laker legend Magic Johnson, stepped in to buy the team. Sykes said, In my opinion, the WNBA saved our democracy, then asked Ogwumike what could be done to get more people involved and interested in the WNBA. MVPs: None Take, for example, the New York Knicks. The league billed the raise as the biggest ever for a "women's sports property." It includes a roster of A-list investors from the basketball community, as . It has a rabid basketball fan base, with love for not only the 76ers but five local college teams. The Miracle's potential wasn't fully realized in four years in Orlando, but it blossomed when the Sun -- led by players like McWilliams-Franklin, Sales and Douglas -- made back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005. High point: Going from worst to first and winning the 2003 championship. Local access to one or all of those companies could allow for a more fluid partnership between the businesses and players, potentially leading to endorsement deals that could help increase player pay outside of raising salaries through the collective bargaining agreement. Championships: Three (2007, 2009, 2014) 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) MVPs: None We have been actively exploring this for a long time, Lacob told the San Francisco Chronicle last year. Our figures include revenue that team owners get from non-NBA events at their arena. Other notable stars: Elena Baranova, Debbie Black, Sandy Brondello, Betty Lennox, Ruth Riley. Franchise journey: The Dream are the last expansion franchise to join the WNBA, in 2008. The coronavirus pandemic may have caused NBA owners to take a hit on gate revenues throughout 2020 and into the new season, but NBA franchise values continue to climb nonetheless. Face of the franchise: Courtney Vandersloot (2011-present) standings, wnba, wnba standings, women's basketball, records, table . Boston Celtics: $3.2 . . (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press via Associated Press). New York made the first championship game (before the Finals became a series) in 1997, and then appeared in the Finals three more times. Franchise journey: Madison Square Garden was a pretty special place with a likable and successful Liberty team in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Help Accessibility Other, smaller pieces of teams where the buyers obtained no path toward control also changed hands at prices above our last edition of NBA valuations. Abrahams declined to specify which franchise, but the Dream were the only franchise available to buy in that window. We'll never know, but Chicago has had a different kind of dynamic duo in guards -- and spouses -- Vandersloot and Quigley. For the 2016-17 season, Forbes reported, NBA revenue was $7.4 billion. Delle Donne missed last season and has been limited to just a few games this season by lingering back issues. In 2009, the Detroit Shock sold for approximately $5 million, based on legal documents filed by its then-owners. High point: Making the WNBA Finals in 2020 in the team's third season in Las Vegas. Adding international commercial travel to league scheduling would only exacerbate the problem. Two years later, Michael Alter reportedly paid $10 million for an expansion team in Chicago. Thibault is now in his ninth season with Washington, which also traded for Delle Donne before the 2017 season. That was a rough 4-30 season, but McCoughtry was the No. As popular as the Liberty have been with their fans, they never seemed to mean as much to James Dolan, even though he owned them from their inception. 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. And were also looking at our current WNBA franchise cities and comparing what lessons weve learned and whats worked and not worked over the last 25 years.