Other notable stars: Vickie Johnson, Ann Wauters, Sophia Young-Malcolm, Kayla McBride, Jia Perkins, Ruth Riley, Danielle Robinson. In 2016, Verizon became the primary sponsor of the WNBA Finals. 2,$5.6 billion) and the Los Angeles Lakers (No. Franchise journey: The Miracle were part of the Orlando Magic organization and had some real talent in their short stay in Florida. Playoff appearances (record): Nine (24-19) Additional research by Justin Teitelbaum. She joined Penicheiro, the team's No. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Also clouding the leagues expansion plans are the financial positions of current teams. Other than in 2008 and 2012, they've made the playoffs every year since. Theres no better time to invest in womens sports than now. High point: Led by Diggins-Smith, making the playoffs in their second year in Dallas. In mid-January 2022, CAA Icon presented the Sports Authority Board with a report that found solid interest in the initiative. In addition to the $12.3 million that the players receive, another $18 million comes from corporate sponsors. So Dallas has its fate in its hands, and could move up quite a lot in the next few years. In the league, were in big investment mode. Face of the franchise: Becky Hammon (2007-2014) Face of the franchise: Arike Ogunbowale (2019-present) The Sparks were originally based in San Francisco but moved to Los Angeles in 2005. Finally, people are understanding the value of the WNBAand what we offer.. 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. High point: Going from worst to first and winning the 2003 championship. 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. Despite a pandemic thatkept arenas mostly emptyduring the 2020-21 season, the average value ofan NBA franchisehas risen 13%, to $2.48 billion,since Forbes last set of valuations, published in February. Franchise journey: Greatness is invariably accompanied by some luck. Net Worth: $400,000; WNBA Team: Washington Mystics 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. But at only an 83 overall, Thompson is severely underrated in NBA 2K22. Playoff appearances (record): Nine (20-14) 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. I strongly suspect they are worth more than any WNBA team. Face of the franchise: Jackie Stiles (2001-02) How does marketing in the WNBA stack up against the NBA . The buyers, Mark Walter and Todd Boehley, have a path to eventually buying out controlling owner Jerry Buss Family Estate at some point in the future. Championships: None Nolan, Smith, Ford and McWilliams-Franklin, who were still with the Shock in 2009, never moved with the organization. The fact that we were capable of raising $75 million at the league level validates sort of the trajectory of the WNBA, she said. Championships: None Chicago Bulls: $3.3 billion. Only tangentially related, but Atltico Bucaramanga is with around $10 million. They've been part of the Phoenix Suns organization since their inception as one of the eight original franchises, first under owner Jerry Colangelo and then Robert Sarver. During his time in New York, Jordan won two NBA Championships (2000, 2002) and was named MVP of both events. The New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream have all been sold in recent years, but the sales prices for all three franchises are in that range. Other notable stars: Ariel Atkins, Alana Beard, Tina Charles, Natasha Cloud, Chamique Holdsclaw, Ivory Latta, Crystal Langhorne, Emma Meesseman, Murriel Page. The league announced Friday afternoon that it had approved sale of the franchise. Just two years later, WNBA was formed to promote the women's sport and officially had its commencement in 1997. We have all the money here in market in Toronto accessible.. Currently, CAA Icon is putting together its WNBA-specific report that it hopes to present to the league this month. 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. Though that method of valuation is unusual in comparison to how other . 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. Playoff appearances (record): Four (6-9) According to Forbes, the NBA's total revenue in 2010-11 was $3.96 billion. Franchise journey: The Starzz, owned by the Utah Jazz, never caught on in Salt Lake City. The Star made the playoffs in seven of Hammon's eight years with San Antonio. 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. Get the list of all the WNBA Teams along with the wins and losses stats and more on Basketball-Reference.com The Sun haven't broken through for a title yet, but they're a strong contender to challenge for a championship again this year under coach Curt Miller, despite Alyssa Thomas missing the season with an Achilles injury. Expansion has been the hot-button issue of the WNBA through the entirety of Engelberts tenure as commissioner. Former Senator Kelly Loeffler is out as an owner of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. This amounts to a profit margin of 17%. It was none other than the NBA itself who took the initiative of doing this. 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 . The most recent sale of a franchise occurred when Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore agreed to a $1.5 billion deal to buy . 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. Were a very different league when some of those transactions occurred. Regular-season record: 48-48 High point: Taking the 2019 WNBA Finals to a decisive fifth game before falling to Washington. So, if you do the scales, its pretty tough to even fathom that. But the Wings haven't done much yet, losing single-elimination games in their two playoff appearances. The Yankees and Knicks have the same owner: James Dolan. The Stars' struggles in their final years in San Antonio helped lead to consecutive WNBA No. But, fast forward to 2020, and every team in the league was profitable, with average operating income surging to $62 million. Which is the most valuable team in the WNBA? "My wish is that ESPN would drive the push for the WNBA instead of waiting," says Lobo. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. loomis wedding venues. The value of their franchise is $125 million. Alibaba is responsible for around 70% of mail packages in China. Championships: None 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. 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. Regular-season record: 413-340 Here is what every team in the NBA is worth in 2021, according to Sportico: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports, Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports, Sign up for the The Rookie Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. What might the Sky have become with more seasons of these two playing together? Face of the franchise: Alyssa Thomas (2014-present) 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). The 31-year-old female professional basketball player was in 2014 named the ambassador for Special Olympics.. On top of that, Ellena has won two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards (2015 and 2019) and became the first WNBA player to join the 50-40-90 club.She has not played much professionally overseas, only taking part in the regular basketball season in the U.S. The highest-paid NBA players, by comparison, make in excess of $40 . Los Angeles Clippers. Delle Donne missed last season and has been limited to just a few games this season by lingering back issues. Low point: Missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season in 2009. At its largest, the WNBA expanded to 16 teams, but has been at 12 since 2010. There has been a critical error on this website. The league-wide average of $2.2 billion per team in 2021 is a new record for Forbes' valuations. The arena is owned by the city, which would allow for necessary upgrades through tax increment financing. Mike Alter - $1.2 Billion. The base salary for WNBA rookies varies on when (or if) players were selected in the WNBA Draft. 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. 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. The WNBA approved the sale of the . Franchise journey: The Dream are the last expansion franchise to join the WNBA, in 2008. Minnesota Timberwolves: $1.43 billion, 15. They officially were the "Silver Stars" from then through 2013, then just the "Stars" their last four seasons. Low point: After winning the Eastern Conference for the first time in 2010, the Mystics lost their coach and general manager when they wanted to combine those jobs into one. Regular-season record: 143-179 The Tulsa Shock then moved before the 2016 season to Dallas to become the Wings. Plus, help in the form of two consecutive No. Both were in existence for just three seasons before folding. Fawknotson remains optimistic about Nashvilles chances for WNBAexpansion. Regular-season record: 422-390 The Monarchs came close in 2006 but fell in the decisive Game 5 at Detroit. 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. But forward/center Parker would be the No. The Aces are on their second owner in Sin City as Las Vegas Raiders boss Mark Davis bought the team from MGM Resorts International earlier this year. And for the upcoming 2021 season, ESPN has split the difference, dropping to 25 games. Robert Sarver - $800 Million. According to people intimately familiar with these deals who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the implied enterprise value Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will pay for a controlling interest in the Minnesota Timberwolves is $1.6 billion, with the deal expected to happen in three tranches by the end of 2023. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press via Associated Press). 1 draft picks in 2017 (Plum), 2018 (Wilson) and 2019 (Young). Championships: None It is an attempt to not only suss out which cities have a chance to become a future WNBA outpost, but also to understand how much a franchise is worth in a league where team values are hard to ascertain. That history is ancient history, she said. 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: Elena Delle Donne (2015) 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. The league currently gets an average of $2.66 billion a year from Walt Disneys ABC and ESPN and AT&Ts Turner Broadcasting. Even a comparison over a 2019 which we might call a more normal year but we were a different league back then than we are now.. 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. Browns representative declined further comment. Low point: The Fever are in it now -- their fifth consecutive losing season. Regular-season record: 204-251 Our figures include revenue that team owners get from non-NBA events at their arena. Ogunbowale and Mabry, former Notre Dame teammates, have clicked again in the WNBA. 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. Were going to try to change the narrative and change the actual quantitative valuation model, Engelbert said. Regular-season record: 340-444 Two-Way Tie Between Teams. Once again, the franchise is considered the most valuable of any of the NBA's 30 clubs, according to a report from Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes. 4 pick in the 2006 draft, and a trade for Wauters in 2008, and the Stars had the core of their best team, which went 24-10 in 2008. The 6'8" center for the Los Angeles Sparks has been selected to the All-Star team three times. 1 draft pick in 2009 and led Atlanta to the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Seven players from five different teams will earn the WNBA supermax salary of $221,450, per Spotrac. 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. But the Liberty haven't been that far since 2002 and haven't had a winning record since 2017. She has done so by bringing in new investors and partners, expanding media partnerships and a $75 million capital raise announced in February. Those numbers also diverge from what some interested investors believe a team is currently worth. Many WNBA stars work in other countries during the WNBA's off-season because doing so is more lucrative than playing in the U.S. Griner is reportedly earning more than $1 million to play for her . Other notable stars: Rebekkah Brunson, Napheesa Collier, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Katie Smith, Lindsay Whalen. The Milwaukee Bucks are the next richest basketball team in the NBA. How much money do Major League Baseball teams make? Seattle is our top-ranked franchise in part because it consistently has taken best advantage of its good fortune, and also because it has created such a positive, winning culture. They were established in 1968 and play all their home games at Fiserv Forum. But going 3-31 in 2011 in Cambage's rookie season was pretty hellish. Engelbert said that number does not account for the full value of the WNBA, only the league itself. It is just a timing process though. 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. The franchise, led by its ownership group, considered buying a WNBA team twice in recent years, sources said. Low point: Diggins-Smith insisting on a trade before the 2020 season, a year after Cambage had done the same thing. 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. Shortly after losing out on that relocation bid, New Media Sports & Entertainment began putting together another bid this time for an expansion team. On Monday, Sportico released its valuations for every NBA franchise in 2021, and according to their numbers, the three most valuable teams in the league are now worth a combined 15 billion dollars. Toronto Raptors - $2.1 Billion. 2002 Fleer Authentix WNBA brought the concept of serial-numbered Rookie Cards to the league with each getting 2,002 copies. The best player in franchise history, Australia's Penny Taylor, was there for just three seasons before being taken in the dispersal draft by Phoenix, where she played 10 seasons and won three WNBA titles. Face of the franchise: Angel McCoughtry (2009-2019) High point: Finishing first (22-10) in the Eastern Conference in 2001, their best season. Try a week on us. Headquarters for Adidas and Under Armour are in Portland, and Nike is headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., which is just eight miles west of Portland. It was the Sun's third trip to the Finals. New Orleans Pelicans: $1.35 billion. The estimated net worth of Mark Davis, an American businessman and owner of a professional sports team, is $1.9 billion. The WNBA has one of the more flexible business models in sports. The Finals have been played at the conclusion of the regular season and postseason bracket every year since the league's inception in 1997; the championship stage follows a 2-2-1 split format, giving the higher-seeded team a chance to host three games as opposed to just two. It is the fourth-largest media market in the country and the biggest one in which the WNBAdoes not already have a team. And twice, the organization has gotten back-to-back No. But when she has been on the court, it has made all the difference for the Mystics. They also own MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL's Los Angeles Rams. Low point: The franchise folding after going 15-17 in 2002. He came back to New York for one final season in 2009 before announcing his retirement. Through expansion the WNBA is trying to reset the market for how much its franchises are worth. The WNBAhas seen significant growth in viewership over the last five years. 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. With the team winning their first NBA title in the 2018-19 season, which also saw the Raptors host all 12 playoff games, the Raptors saw their financial strength rise by a whopping 25% this . However, she added: Once the WNBAtakes a more definitive approach (to expansion), were confident that there will be an ownership group that comes forward.. 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. Nine players were named to all four of the WNBA's honorary teams named during milestones in the league's history - the All-Decade Team in 2006; Top 15 Players in 2011; Top 20@20 in 2016, and . MVPs: None 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. 8. At the end of the Dreams first season, the Houston Comets the franchise that won the WNBAs first four championships ceased to exist. After all, Dallas is a contemporary team and has a lot of young talent, led by scoring sensation Ogunbowale. Then everything changed in the 2010 season: Cheryl Reeve was hired as head coach, forward Brunson was picked in the Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft and a trade brought point guard Whalen home to Minnesota. If and when we do it, which we are interested in doing, we want to do it right. If on the other hand, if it draws high ratings then more money will be made than if they had played it during week one of the season when people were probably still getting used to the idea of women's basketball and didn't know who they were going to watch play. That season, the Sparks had their fewest wins in franchise history, going 10-24. At this point, despite a lot of success as a franchise, the Dream face a lot of questions. She's now the franchise's general manager, and with six wins last year and five so far this season, could have the No. Regular-season record: 71-113 In 2019, it was $74,349. Now, a Portland entrepreneur is trying to bring a WNBAteam back to the city. 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. Stiles had a strong rookie season but had the first of many major surgeries when it ended and played just 21 more games in the WNBA, all in an injury-plagued 2002 season. Behind LAFC comes Atlanta United ($845 million) and LA Galaxy ($835 million). This is a BETA experience. While WNBA statistics have yet to be revealed, a number of those teams are said to have been supported by NBA ownership. MVPs: Elena Delle Donne (2019) Then Fowles, after seven seasons with the Sky, sat out the start of the 2015 season until she was traded to Minnesota, where she has won two titles. The NBA's Most Valuable Teams 2021-22: New York Knicks Lead A Trio Now Worth Over $5 Billion Each. The NBA has gained undeniable traction over the last decade, at least from a financial standpoint. Golden State Warriors. Its amazing to see it all happening. The New York Knicks are also the most valued franchise among the National Basketball Association's 30 franchises (NBA).