• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 15, 2025

$2M Cash Injection Sends WNBA’s Worst Team to League-Leading Valuation

  • The team’s valuation has surged more than $100 million since the spring. 
  • It comes weeks after Angel City FC became women’s sports’ most valuable franchise.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA’s worst team may be, at least temporarily, its most valuable.

The Dallas Wings, tied for last in the league at 6–19, are now valued at $208 million after two investors bought a 1% stake in the team at $2.08 million. That surpasses every team’s listed value from Sportico’s published estimates earlier this year.

Greg Bibb, the team’s CEO and part-owner, sold the stake to Jed Kaplan and Randy Eisenman.

“I would say the value of anything is what the market’s willing to pay,” Bibb told Sports Business Journal. “I can make a compelling case for why that $208 million number is justifiable.”

Kaplan is no stranger to basketball, as he is a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and previously owned the Erie BayHawks and Iowa Energy in the NBA’s G League. Eisenman founded a local hedge fund. 

The investment comes amid a wave of off-the-court momentum for the franchise. The city of Dallas gave the Wings a $19 million incentive to move from their current arena—College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington—to a renovated downtown Memorial Coliseum in 2026. Memorial Coliseum has a capacity of 8,500 fans compared to CPC, which seats just over 6,000 fans. And, in April, Bibb told D Magazine, “We’re creating a practice facility that is on par with any NBA facility out there.” 

Sportico’s June valuations had the Wings at $75 million, 11th in the 12-team league.

BSE Global, the parent company of the Nets and Liberty, recently got an investment from the Koch family that values the company at $6 billion. The New York Post reported in June that the stake valued the Liberty at “roughly” $200 million. Sportico’s estimates had the Liberty at $130 million, just behind the $140 million Las Vegas Aces and $135 million Seattle Storm.

Those numbers may be already outdated with the league’s new $2.2 billion media-rights deals.

The Wings’ valuation surge comes less than a month after Angel City FC of the NWSL became the most valuable women’s sports franchise in the country after a $120 million investment by Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, valued the team at $250 million. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Don Garber

NASL Trial Could Get in Underbelly of American Soccer

NASL alleges an illegal conspiracy between MLS and U.S. Soccer.
Mar 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta smiles during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center.

Cubs, Mavs, Rockets Owners Co-Hosting Trump Reception With Zuckerberg

Owners of three sports teams are teaming up for an inauguration party.
The United States Capitol during the certification of votes by Congress making Donald Trump president on Jan. 6, 2025.

U.S. House Passes Ban on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

The bill would apply to all educational levels, from kindergarten to college.
Jan 5, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.

Why NBA Trade Season Is About to Pick Up

Eligible players include Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey and Nets center Nic Claxton.

Featured Today

Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
January 3, 2025

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
The Rock and Army officials

Army, UFL Say $11 Million Marketing Saga With The Rock Is Resolved

“We have great relationships still with the Army,” the UFL president says.
January 13, 2025

PWHL ‘Takeover Tour’ Sets Attendance Record in Denver

The league aims to expand to eight teams for the 2025–2026 season.
Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) dribbles the ball against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.
January 13, 2025

WNBA Free Agency Is Nigh, but CBA Uncertainty Raises Huge Questions

Players can officially sign deals Feb. 1.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
January 10, 2025

Australian Open Begins With Record Prize Money—and Doping Drama

Another record purse, doping fears loom large over 2025’s first tennis major.
LA Rams
January 9, 2025

NFL Moves Rams Playoff Game to Arizona With L.A. Fires Burning

The Rams had sent players home early from practice on Thursday.
January 9, 2025

Air Quality Issues Loom Over NFL Playoffs Amid Los Angeles Fires

The Chargers already changed practice plans Wednesday due to poor air quality.
Bay Club golfer Shane Lowry, left, celebrates a putt with Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg, right, during a golf match against the New York Gulf Club at SoFi Center, the home of TGL, the interactive golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on January 7, 2025 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
January 9, 2025

TGL’s First Match Drew Nearly a Million Viewers on ESPN: What It..

The new indoor golf league founded by Tiger Woods debuted Tuesday night.