With record-shattering revenue, investors see a slam dunk in women's sports leagues
A growing number of stakeholders focused on professional women's leagues in the United States are driving a surge in popularity among players and fans—and drawing the attention of investors helping to propel teams to new heights.
Wealth Enhancement analyzed team valuation data from Sportico on leagues—including the National Women's Soccer League and the Women's National Basketball Association—to illustrate the impact increased ticket sales, sponsorship deals, investments, and star players has had on historically marginalized women's sports leagues.
The two leagues are relatively young and were launched decades after their male counterparts. The NBA officially came into existence in 1949 after two men's leagues formed years earlier merged into one. It wasn't until almost 50 years later in 1996 when the NBA board approved the formation of the WNBA.
That same year, men's Major League Soccer kicked off its first season in the U.S., trailing the long-established leagues of European countries. It wasn't until 2012 when the National Women's Soccer League was formed and played its first season with just eight clubs, an evolution of existing women's leagues dating back to 2001.
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