Having the worst record in the league has not stopped the Dallas Wings from becoming the most valuable team in the WNBA.
According to Front Office Sports, the Wings, currently tied for last place in the WNBA standings with a 6-19 record, have emerged as the team with the highest valuation after recent moves. The Texas-based team is valued at $208 million after two investors (Jed Kaplan and Randy Eisenman) recently purchased a 1% stake at $2.08 million. Based on the numbers posted earlier this year, that figure places the Wings as the top-valued team.
Sportico posted estimates for each WNBA team in June. The media outlet estimated that the current WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, were on top with $140 million. The Seattle Storm was in second with an estimated worth of $135 million, and the New York Liberty was right behind them with $130 million.
The Sports Journal reported that recent moves by the Wings, listed as being worth $75 million in June, were able to surpass that total based on several factors. The team plans to move into a new arena after the city of Dallas provided it with a $19 million cash incentive. The city wants the Wings to be the primary tenant of a renovated Memorial Auditorium that will open in 2026. There is a proposed practice facility, gains in attendance and sponsorships this season, an expected new local television contract, and the WNBA’s proposed over $2.2 billion media rights deal.
“I would say the value of anything is what the market’s willing to pay,” said Bibb, the Wings’ president, CEO, and partner. “I can make a compelling case for why that $208 million number is justifiable.
“Certainly, we’re not talking about a business that’s stagnating … it’s quite the opposite. What we are doing today is going to be significantly outpaced by what we do tomorrow.”
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