The Richest Women’s Sports Teams are setting new records as investment, sponsorships, and fan support continue to grow. This ranking highlights the top 10 most valuable WNBA and NWSL franchises in 2026 based on publicly reported valuations. Learn what drives their rising franchise values and long-term business success, and why women’s sports have become one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports business.
Women’s sports have never been bigger. More fans are watching games, brands are signing larger sponsorship deals, and investors are paying record prices to own teams. As a result, franchise values have climbed across women’s basketball and soccer.
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams show how quickly the industry is growing. These clubs are not just winning games. They are building valuable businesses through ticket sales, media rights, sponsorships, and loyal fan bases.
According to Deloitte, global revenue from elite women’s sports is expected to exceed $3 billion in 2026, showing how fast the market is expanding.
In this guide, you’ll find the 10 richest women’s sports teams based on the latest publicly reported franchise valuations in 2026, along with the reasons behind their financial success.
Quick Ranking: Top 10 Richest Women’s Sports Teams
| Rank | Team | League | 2026 Franchise Value |
| 1 | Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | $850 million |
| 2 | New York Liberty | WNBA | $600 million |
| 3 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | $560 million |
| 4 | Seattle Storm | WNBA | $425 million |
| 5 | Phoenix Mercury | WNBA | $420 million |
| 6 | Angel City FC | NWSL | $335 million |
| 7 | Las Vegas Aces | WNBA | $330 million |
| 8 | Kansas City Current | NWSL | $315 million |
| 9 | Bay FC | NWSL | $208 million |
| 10 | Washington Spirit | NWSL | $196 million |
(Methodology: This ranking uses the latest publicly reported franchise valuations available in 2026. Teams from the WNBA and NWSL are included because reliable standalone franchise values were publicly available for these leagues.)
What Makes Women’s Sports Teams So Valuable?
Several factors determine a team’s value. Winning championships is only one part of the story. Investors also look at revenue, fan support, media deals, and long-term growth.
Today, the Richest Women’s Sports Teams benefit from:
- Bigger television and streaming deals
- Record attendance at games
- Premium sponsorship agreements
- Strong merchandise sales
- Modern stadiums and training facilities
- Wealthy ownership groups investing for the future
These factors help teams earn more money while increasing their long-term value.
10. Washington Spirit
- League: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Owners: Michele Kang
- 2026 Franchise Value: $196 million
The Washington Spirit completes this list thanks to strong investment and smart leadership. Businesswoman Michele Kang has transformed the club since taking over.
She invested in player development, training facilities, and the overall fan experience. The Spirit also became one of the NWSL’s most recognized clubs after winning the 2021 NWSL Championship and staying competitive in the seasons that followed.
These efforts have helped the team earn a place among the richest women’s sports teams, while continued sponsorship growth and a loyal fan base around Washington, D.C., have strengthened its long-term value.
9. Bay FC
- League: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Owners: Sixth Street, Legends, and founding investors
- 2026 Franchise Value: $208 million
Bay FC entered the NWSL in 2024, but it has already become one of the league’s biggest business success stories because it reached a high valuation only a short time after joining the league.
Unlike many expansion clubs, Bay FC launched with strong financial backing and a clear growth plan. The club benefits from its location in Northern California, where technology companies and major brands create strong sponsorship opportunities.
8. Kansas City Current
- League: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Owners: Angie Long, Chris Long
- 2026 Franchise Value: $315 million
Kansas City Current have changed what success looks like in women’s soccer.
The club opened the world’s first stadium built specifically for a professional women’s soccer team. That move boosted ticket sales, premium seating revenue, and sponsorship interest.
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams often invest in facilities before they see financial rewards. Kansas City Current followed that path and quickly became one of the league’s most valuable clubs.
According to Reuters, citing Sportico, average NWSL franchise values increased by 77% compared with 2024. Strong investment and growing fan demand helped drive this rise.
7. Las Vegas Aces
- League: WNBA
- Owner: Mark Davis
- 2026 Franchise Value: $330 million
Winning creates value, and few teams have proved that better than the Las Vegas Aces.
Back-to-back WNBA championships turned the Aces into one of the league’s biggest brands. The team’s success increased attendance, television exposure, merchandise sales, and sponsorship opportunities.
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams usually combine strong ownership with great on-court results. The Aces have done exactly that while playing in one of the world’s biggest entertainment cities.
6. Angel City FC
- League: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Owners: Willow Bay and Bob Iger
- 2026 Franchise Value: $335 million
Angel City FC has become one of the most talked-about clubs in women’s sports.
From day one, the team attracted celebrity investors, national sponsors, and sellout crowds. Brands quickly saw the club as a premium marketing partner because of its strong fan engagement and presence in Los Angeles.
According to Reuters, women’s sports sponsorship spending grew by 32.7% in 2025, helping increase franchise values across major leagues.
5. Phoenix Mercury
- League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Owner: Mat Ishbia
- 2026 Franchise Value: $420 million
The Phoenix Mercury have been one of the WNBA’s biggest names for many years. Championships, star players, and a loyal fan base have helped the team stay among the league’s most valuable franchises.
The club has also benefited from new investment under owner Mat Ishbia. Better facilities, stronger marketing, and continued fan support have helped the team grow its business. Today, the Richest Women’s Sports Teams include the Mercury because they continue to attract sponsors, television audiences, and strong ticket sales.
4. Seattle Storm
- League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Owners: Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder, and Dawn Trudeau
- 2026 Franchise Value: $425 million
Seattle Storm have built one of the strongest brands in women’s basketball.
The franchise has won multiple WNBA championships while maintaining one of the league’s most loyal fan bases. Strong leadership and smart business decisions have helped the club grow both on and off the court.
Unlike many teams, the Seattle Storm are independently owned by a group focused entirely on women’s basketball. That long-term approach has helped them stay among the Richest Women’s Sports Teams in the world.
3. Indiana Fever
- League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Owner: Herb Simon
- 2026 Franchise Value: $560 million
The Indiana Fever have seen one of the fastest rises in franchise value.
The arrival of young stars, sold-out games, and record television audiences have transformed the team into one of the WNBA’s biggest attractions. Merchandise sales have also reached new highs as more fans follow the club.
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams often benefit from strong player appeal, and the Indiana Fever are a perfect example. Growing national attention has helped increase sponsorship deals and overall franchise value in a short time.
2. New York Liberty
- League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Owners: Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai
- 2026 Franchise Value: $600 million
New York Liberty have become one of the biggest business success stories in women’s sports.
Playing in one of the world’s largest media markets gives the team access to premium sponsors and national exposure. Investment from Joe and Clara Wu Tsai has strengthened every part of the organization, from player facilities to marketing.
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams continue to benefit from larger television audiences, and the Liberty have been at the center of that growth. Their success on the court has matched their business performance, helping the franchise reach a record valuation.
1. Golden State Valkyries
- League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- Owner: Joe Lacob and Peter Guber (Golden State Warriors ownership group)
- 2026 Franchise Value: $850 million
Golden State Valkyries are the most valuable women’s sports team in 2026.
Although the franchise is new, it entered the league with one major advantage. It shares ownership with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, one of the world’s most successful sports organizations.
The team benefits from Chase Center, a large fan base, experienced leadership, and strong corporate partnerships. Even before playing its first season, demand for season tickets and sponsorships showed the strength of the brand.
At the top of the Richest Women’s Sports Teams ranking, the Valkyries prove that investor confidence in women’s sports has reached a new level.
Why Are Women’s Sports Team Values Rising So Fast?
The value of women’s sports teams has increased because more people are watching, attending games, and supporting their favorite clubs.
Several trends are driving this growth:
- Bigger national and international media rights deals
- Higher attendance across major leagues
- More sponsorships from global brands
- Better merchandise sales
- Increased investment from business leaders and athletes
These changes have created new revenue streams and stronger long-term business opportunities. As a result, the Richest Women’s Sports Teams continue to set new records each year.
According to Deloitte, elite women’s sports are expected to generate more than $3 billion in global revenue in 2026, showing that the industry is moving into a new phase of commercial growth.
Conclusion
The Richest Women’s Sports Teams show how far women’s sports have come. Strong fan support, smart ownership, and growing commercial opportunities have helped these teams reach record franchise values.
This growth is not limited to one league or one country. Basketball and soccer teams continue to attract larger audiences, bigger sponsors, and new investors every year. If current trends continue, today’s record valuations may look small in just a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the richest women’s sports team in 2026?
Golden State Valkyries are the richest women’s sports team in 2026, with a reported franchise value of $850 million.
Which league has the most valuable women’s teams?
The WNBA has the highest-valued women’s teams, with six of the top ten franchises in this ranking.
Why are women’s sports teams’ values increasing?
Growing TV audiences, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, and investor interest have pushed franchise values higher.
How are sports team valuations calculated?
Experts look at revenue, sponsorships, media rights, attendance, ownership, market size, and future growth potential.
Which women’s soccer team has the highest franchise value?
Angel City FC is the highest-valued women’s soccer team in this ranking, with a reported franchise value of $335 million.
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