The WNBA is officially having its moment. According to new data from Sportico, franchise valuations across the league have surged by a jaw-dropping 180% over the past year—the largest year-over-year jump ever recorded for a major sports league.
Collectively, the WNBA’s 13 teams are now worth $3.5 billion, with the average team valuation at $269 million—a major leap from just $96 million in 2024. To put it in perspective, not even the NBA has seen this kind of growth in such a short span (its previous record spike was in 2014, post-Steve Ballmer’s Clippers buy).
What’s Driving the Surge?
- TV ratings are up
- Merchandise is flying off shelves
- Attendance is booming
- Revenue has climbed across the board
And at the center of all this momentum? One name you’ll hear over and over again: Caitlin Clark.
Indiana Fever: The Biggest Risers
The Indiana Fever, now led by superstar rookie Caitlin Clark, saw the largest individual team growth—a wild 273% increase, bringing their current valuation to $335 million. The team’s revenue jumped nearly 300% in one season, and their game-day merch sales per fan actually outpaced every single NBA team. Yes, you read that right.
Home game attendance? Over 17,000 fans on average—that’s higher than six NBA teams and three MLB teams last season.
The Valkyries Make a Splash
The WNBA’s newest expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, debuted this year and immediately made history. Backed by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and sharing their arena, the Valkyries became the first WNBA team to sell 10,000+ season tickets in year one. Sportico now values them at a league-topping $500 million—with projected 2025 revenue at $70 million, more than double the highest figure in 2024.
New York Liberty Stays in the Game
The defending champs, the New York Liberty, also saw huge gains. Their valuation jumped 222%, now sitting at $420 million, making them the second-most valuable team in the league.
What This Means for the League
From media rights to merch, everything about the WNBA is scaling fast—and investors are noticing. Sportico’s valuation model factored in real estate assets, revenue, and input from more than 30 insiders across sports finance, team ownership, and law. In short: these aren’t just hype numbers—they’re backed by data and dollars.
The WNBA is no longer just a growth story—it’s a rocket ship. And Caitlin Clark? She might just be its launch button.
