Through the years, the WNBA has typically been seen as subordinate to the NBA, however current tendencies counsel a really completely different image. From a enterprise perspective, typically, the NBA remains to be unmatched. The craze, consideration, and the cash round it are exponential in comparison with what the WNBA presently generates. But regardless of that, the current workforce valuation figures of the W and the income it generates set up a metric that even outdid the NBA for the primary time in its historical past, prompting the followers to react.
Sportico not too long ago revealed the value-to-revenue multiplier for all the most important leagues on their social media. It locations the W on the prime of the charts with a 13.6 a number of for its common workforce worth of $427M and income of $31.5M. It’s increased than the NBA, which ranks the game at 13.5, with a mean workforce worth of $5.1B and income of $408M. And notably, it’s even increased than leagues just like the NFL (10.3) and NWSL (9.8)
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The excessive value-to-revenue multiplier is a results of the excessive surge within the workforce’s valuation this yr. Based on reviews, the league has seen a 59% surge in common valuation from final yr and a 300% enhance from 2024. Main drivers on this regard embrace the , which noticed a surge of $350M since final season’s valuation. They’re presently valued at $850 million.
The following most precious francise occur to be the at a whopping $600 million. Then, we now have the cherished at $560 million adopted by at $425 million. isn’t behind with $420 million.
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Main components, together with better ticket gross sales, elevated enterprise in equipment, and the appearance of main sponsorships, have led to it.
By way of the NBA, although, the groups’ valuations is perhaps enormous, however the income they generate can be fairly substantial. And naturally, with so many groups, a bigger broadcasting income stream, and extra video games, the NBA’s income is increased, finally leading to a decrease value-to-revenue multiplier than the WNBA. It’s undoubtedly a significant silver lining within the historical past of the W and clearly displays that the league is simply trending in direction of a constructive route.
However the hoops group isn’t shopping for all of it, as they take a look at the detailed nuances so as to add weight to the truth that it does set up a transparent level in a WNBA-NBA comparability.
Followers Level to the WNBA’s Losses to Counter NBA Comparisons
“lol 😂 learn this chart the way you need however isn’t the flex you assume it’s!!!” wrote a fan.
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“Excessive a number of on tiny income isn’t the flex this chart thinks it’s,” acknowledged one other.
To raised perceive the common value-to-revenue a number of, it’s essential to acknowledge that the value-to-revenue multiplier isn’t simply primarily based on the income any league presently generates. In that facet, the NBA, after all, overtakes the WNBA. However this metric displays how the house owners see the ceiling of those WNBA groups sooner or later.
Within the case of W, that’s precisely what’s going down. With the developments that it has proven lately, the valuation has grown considerably regardless of the income being handful, leading to a better value-to-revenue multiplier. This worth shouldn’t be unnoticed in any respect, although, as a result of it’s what bankers use as nicely to find out a sports activities workforce’s worth, and a better worth on this metric additionally signifies that increasingly buyers need to get into the league, as per Sportico.
Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks firstly of the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Necessary Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Photos
“That’s cute. How a lot cash does the league lose yearly once more?” questioned one other.
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“huh? it loses cash and is supported by a free NBA hand out…so one thing aint mathing,” chimed in one other.
Now, from a revenue perspective, there’s little question that the NBA is in a unique league, and the W comes nowhere shut. As an illustration, within the final season alone, the NBA earned over $14B in revenue, which isn’t even sensible within the , given its income streams and alternatives. Moreover, the WNBA, being a comparatively new league, will, after all, take a while to achieve the same footing.
Secondly, it’s well-known that the WNBA has constantly confronted losses through the years. A couple of years again, Adam Silver claimed that the W had misplaced round $10M yearly since its formation, with reviews suggesting the determine rose to round $40M in 2024. It’s true that the league is constantly making strides on this regard, signing a $2.2B broadcasting deal, however in historic context, it hasn’t been a perennially profit-making one. And has been immensely aided by the NBA via monetary subsidiaries and different frameworks, which the feedback clearly identified.
“Meaning it’s over-valued,” summed up one other.
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It could be a bit harsh to say, however that isn’t the clear image. As an illustration, the WNBA is immensely thriving in its personal house. Stadiums are being stuffed extra constantly, and the broadcasting panorama and income are additionally slowly altering with the brand new $2.2M deal. As an illustration, within the 2026 season alone, we will probably be seeing all of Indiana Fever’s video games on nationwide tv. Because of this, the valuation of the groups has constantly elevated, as seen in
The house owners are additionally fairly content material with the valuation of their groups since their preliminary funding within the foray. “I’m unsure I ever thought we’d be on the magnitude that we’re at right this moment,” Seattle Storm part-owner Lisa Brummel mentioned. “Nevertheless it doesn’t change something about the best way we take into consideration our enterprise. We nonetheless love being within the enterprise we’re in, and we run it the best way we run it as a result of we imagine there may be unimaginable upside
On account of this profitability, the league is attracting increasingly businessmen to become involved. As an illustration, Texas businessman Tilman Fertitta purchased the for $350M (about $50M above its present worth) to become involved within the league. Thus, all of this proves that the league isn’t simply overvalued however is now getting the right worth compared to its potential.
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