Sporticast 461: Golden State Is the WNBA's Most Valuable Team
The Golden State Valkyries debuted at the top of the rankings with a worth $500 million—or 10 times what the franchise paid in expansion fees in October 2023. Golden State benefits from its affiliation with the NBA's Warriors and San Francisco's Chase Center, but the new team has also quickly built a business all its own, buoyed by new season ticket holders (and high-paying floor seat guests).
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With franchises rising, expansion fees are too. Cleveland could pay $250 million to join the league starting in the 2028 season. Scott and Kurt also discuss what the latest team valuations mean for ongoing collective bargaining discussions with players. In particular, Scott reflects on the comparison to NBA battles of the '90s—and one specific star who could be playing a Michael Jordanesque role for the women today. NBA affiliation has benefited W teams amid recent growth, giving franchises more ability to harness a boom in interest. New media partners in the coming years will further establish the league's position in the American sports firmament. The popularity of college basketball has contributed to the WNBA's success as well. Is it only a matter of time before GSV's new position atop the league's financial charts is challenged?
The hosts also touch on an NHL head coach taking a minority stake in hockey equipment company CCM, plus a big day for the Sporticast's Focus Group of One.
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