You might have wondered that who owns the teams in WNBA, look no further as we give a descriptive explanation on team ownership in the WNBA and the list of the owners
WNBA is the women’s version of the NBA, a basketball league formed to promote women’s professional basketball landscape in the country of the United States of America. However, the league initially came into existence as a regret. The US women’s basketball was just as successful as their men’s team. They won back to back Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988 before falling short in the 1994 world championships.
Explained How The NBA Owns WNBA Teams And Who Are The New Team Owners
Just two years later, WNBA was formed to promote the women’s sport and officially had its commencement in 1997. It was none other than the NBA itself who took the initiative of doing this. WNBA started with just eight teams which were fully owned by the NBA. The NBA even paired the teams with that of the men’s teams.
A revolution was brought in five years later and the teams were finally allowed outside ownership. A step taken to expand the league and bring more eyes in the sport. With this the teams were allowed to have their separate identity as well and not be associated with the men’s teams.
The new owners were now allowed to step in and bring new cities into the WNBA market like Las Vegas and Connecticut who don’t have an NBA team. With that being said let’s know a bit more about team ownership in WNBA.
Who owns the current WNBA teams?
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever currently share with their NBA brothers Indiana Pacers. They are jointly owned by Herbert Simon, who is also the owner of an real estate investment group. Herbert Simon has a net worth of estimated $3.2 billion.
New York Liberty
Liberty shares it’s ownership with Brooklyn Nets. The co-founder of the Ali Baba group Joseph C Tsai owns the teams from New York. He has a net worth of $10.2 billion.
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics and the Washington Wizards are both owned by Ted Leonsis. He is also the CEO of monumental sports and entertainment. He has a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Phoenix Mercury
The owners of NBA’s Phoenix Suns co-own the Phoenix Mercury. Robert Sarver is the owner of both the Phoenix franchises and has a net worth of $400 million.
Minnesota Lynx
The owners of NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves own Minnesota Lynx. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are the owners of the teams from Minnesota. They boast a combined net worth of $5 billion.
On the other hand the ownership of the Aces, Sparks and also Wings lies in the hands of other pro sporting teams like Raiders, Dodgers and Thunders respectively. The Suns are owned by the Mohegan Sun Casino, an all female group has the ownership of the Storms. Michael Alter owns the Sky and the Dream is owned by a three person group which also includes Rene Montgomery a former WNBA player.