https://www.mediaite.com/sports/wnba...ty-report/amp/
WNBA On Track to Lose Roughly $50 Million This Year, Despite Explosion in Popularity: Report
AHMAD AUSTIN JR. JUN 13, 2024 12:19 PM
WNBA Draft
Adam Hunger/AP
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Although the WNBA is experiencing a level of exposure not seen since its inception, the league is expected to lose $50 million this season.
In a report from The Washington Post, a number of sources talked about the NBA’s next media rights deal and how the WNBA factors into it. According to them, some potential bidders have not assigned figures to the WNBA specifically, meaning the league’s rising popularity may not be much of a factor in how much money it receives in the deal.
While some sources within the league hope to one day have media deals separate from the NBA, others pointed to the benefits of partnering with the NBA — like sharing resources, cross-promoting, and using the NBA’s massive fanbase to help grow the WNBA’s.
Revenue is also an integral part of the conversation. As noted in the report, NBA commissioner
Adam Silver revealed in 2018 that the WNBA lost an average of $10 million each year since it began. That figure, according to two sources, will rise to around $50 million this year.
It’s not explicitly revealed why the WNBA will operate at a bigger loss this year, but the inclusion of charter flights may be a factor. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said it would cost each of the twelve teams $25 million a year, though many around the league weren’t sure who signed off on the expense.
Still, several media executives predict the WNBA’s media rights revenue will triple in the new deal."
Holy shit. I think this league may just be ran by completely incompetent people.