The WNBAs Profit Struggles: Has the League Ever Turned a Profit?

Well now, if you ask me, has the WNBA ever made a profit, I gotta say, it’s been a long, bumpy road for them gals. I remember when they first started back in ’96, folks thought it’d be a sure thing, like how they think every new idea’s gonna work out. But here we are, and it’s still a bit of a struggle.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the WNBA’s a lot bigger than it was when it first started. They’ve had some real fine players, like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, and now, Caitlin Clark’s getting folks excited. And lord knows, people are paying more attention to them ladies on the court than ever before. TV ratings are up, and more folks are filling them seats in the arenas. But, even though things are looking better, the WNBA ain’t quite made a profit yet. They’ve been around almost 30 years, and every year they’re still facing them same old struggles, trying to turn a dollar.

The league, bless its heart, has raised some money over the years. In 2022, they managed to get $75 million from investors like Nike and even Condoleezza Rice. That’s a lotta cash for sure. But raising money and actually turning a profit are two different things. The WNBA’s been struggling with that for years, and folks still keep on sayin’ that the players aren’t gettin’ paid enough for all the hard work they do out there on the court. Some players have even been pushin’ for higher salaries, but that’s a tough one, since the league has to figure out how to make ends meet itself.

You see, they ain’t making money the way other big sports leagues are. Look at the NFL or the NBA—they’ve got tons of cash flowing in, from ticket sales, TV deals, and big sponsorships. The WNBA, though, it’s just not there yet. Despite the rise in popularity, it’s still a challenge to make a profit.

One thing they got goin’ for them though is that the WNBA’s revenue has been growin’. From 2019 to 2023, it doubled from $100 million to $200 million, and that’s somethin’. That shows the league’s headed in the right direction, but they’re still a long way from being in the black. In fact, they’re still expected to lose around $40 million in 2024. Even with all the talent and the growing fanbase, the league’s still far from turning a profit.

But, hold on now, things could change. With the new rookie class coming in 2024, including Caitlin Clark, people are even more excited about the future of the WNBA. There’s talk that the league might hit new revenue records this year. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll get closer to that break-even point, or even better, start makin’ a profit. But, just like everything else in life, it’s gonna take time, and a lot of hard work.

So, to answer your question, no, the WNBA ain’t never made a profit. But there’s hope, and with more people watchin’ and more folks interested in these ladies’ games, the future’s lookin’ a little brighter. Maybe one day, they’ll finally be able to say they made a profit. But until then, they’ll keep on playin’ and raisin’ that money however they can.

Some facts about the WNBA’s financial history: