WNBAs Liberty set world record for womens sports team with new $450M valuation
The Liberty’s valuation has set a new global benchmark as momentum around women’s sports continues to soar.A recent round of capital raising from a group of investors put the franchise valuation at a record $450 million, a source confirmed to The Post on Thursday.Based on previous publicized team valuations, this makes the Liberty the highest valued franchise in the WNBA.It’s also believed that the defending champion Liberty now are the highest valued women’s sports franchise in the world.
The Chelsea women’s soccer team recently sold equity at a $326 million valuation.The WNBA’s Dallas Wings previously brought on investors at a $208 million valuation.The exact number of Liberty ownership shares sold isn’t clear.
The Athletic reported the percentage was in the “mid-teens.” It’s also unclear how many investors are part of this recent move. The sale is still subject to the approval of the WNBA’s board of governors, a panel of the league’s majority team owners.The Post reported in June 2024 that the Liberty were valued at roughly $200 million, meaning the valuation has more than doubled in the past yearThe Liberty are expected to use the new capital to help fund their new 75,000 square-foot practice facility in Brooklyn, which is projected to open in 2027. Plans for the new training center were unveiled in March.The Liberty described it as the WNBA’s first facility that was “designed by players for players.” Not only will it feature things one would expect, such as two regulation-sized practice courts, a recovery wing and a massive strength training room, but it also will have private suites for each player as opposed to a traditional locker room and a hair and makeup studio.Clara Wu Tsai, who bought the team with her husband, Joe, in 2019, has not been shy about her lofty ambition to make the Liberty the first women’s sports franchise valued at $1 billion within the next 10 years.
She’s nearly halfway there based on this recent...