Even Caitlin Clark Can’t Save The WNBA 🤮

[Wagerallsports]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1847631201206751694

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark cause the WNBA to lose $40 million​

They reduced $12million from the expected losses, originally estimated at $52million

For most people, the arrival of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to the WNBA, meant that the quality of the sport increased, and they are not wrong, it did. However, The New York Post claimed that the league is about to suffer a $40million loss in this 2024 season

Irreparable losses​

Since this two superstars joined the league, we have seen great results, transformed into sell-out crowds, increased merchandise sales and boosted TV audience numbers. For example, ESPN saw a 170% increase in viewership, and there were over 100 more sold-out gamescompared to the previous year.

Then, why is the league still facing significant losses? Well, they were expecting losses of $52million at the beginning of the season, but they have been reduced this figures to $40million thanks to the impact of Caitlin and Angel. Despite this, the WNBA is still not generating enough revenue to turn a profit. The league, however, is awaiting a $2.2billion media rights deal to kick in during the 2026 season. Numbers still do not add up.

A league executive told to the New York Post: "WNBA owes the NBA so much we won't see any windfall for years."

Now that Indiana Fever, led by Clark, are eliminated from the playoffs and Chicago Sky suffered Angel Reese's unfortunate injury, the immediate future of the league does not seem promising.

The WNBA is hoping for more players like these two to help the league eventually gain independence from the NBA. It is difficult but not impossible.

 

[Wagerallsports]

Time for the NBA to cut their losses with this league

Nothing is going to change

Even if Caitlin brought it down another $20 million next year, which is highly unlikely, they are still losing a fortune

 

[Archie]

I think the huge TV deal coming will cover the 40-50 million deficits, quite easily.

The WNBA will earn an estimated $2.2 billion as part of the NBA’s multi-year deals with NBC, Amazon and Disney for broadcasting rights, according to multiple outlets, more than tripling the value of the league’s media rights amid increased demand for women’s basketball.

WNBA Secures $2.2 Billion TV Deal—And Could Earn More

The new deal is part of a $75 billion media rights contract recently negotiated by the NBA.

www.forbes.com

 

[Archie]

they took losses EVERY year for almost 3 full decades for reasons other than business. why would they drop it right before the huge TV contract kicks in and they can even make money?

expansion franchise fees coming soon too

 

[Wagerallsports]

they took losses EVERY year for almost 3 full decades for reasons other than business. why would they drop it right before the huge TV contract kicks in and they can even make money?

expansion franchise fees coming soon too

They have always lost money because only a small minority watch & support it

The WNBA’s version of Michael Jordan could only cut 12 Mil off of the huge deficit

You are right, they aren’t about to shut the league down

Not because they think they are on their way to making money

But because they fear the backlash & sexist accusations

 

[Archie]

they are on their way to making money though.

 

[lekidecincinnati]

play in bikinis

 

[Archie]

WNBA jerseys on Fanatics as of the July All-Star break were those of Clark and the Chicago Sky's Angel Reese.

The WNBA and its retail partners do not publicly disclose dollar figures for total merchandise sales.

See: Nike has a $28 million decision to make with its Caitlin Clark shoe: Design it for women or make it unisex?

Game viewership

The WNBA set viewership records in nearly every category this year.

WNBA games on ESPN averaged 1.2 million viewers per broadcast, a 170% increase from last season.

WNBA playoff ratings are up 142% compared to the 2023 playoff, with games averaging 970,000 viewers as of Oct. 14.

The jump in WNBA Finals viewership may be even more impressive than the numbers suggest, as some games have aired at the same time as hugely popular NFL games.

In addition, WNBA League Pass - a subscription service for fans to watch out-of-market games - saw a 366% increase in paid subscribers from 2023, the league said.

Total Revenue

Like most sports leagues, a large portion of the WNBA's revenue comes from its broadcast TV deals (though the exact percentages are unknown). Because the WNBA's TV deal from 2023 to 2024 remained unchanged, its total TV revenue was not drastically different.

But that will soon change, as the WNBA will make at least $200 million in revenue annually over the next 11 seasons from its new combined broadcast deal with the NBA, which begins after the 2025-26 season. That is a significant increase from the WNBA's previous TV deal, which paid it $60 million

 

[Archie]

wnba had an extra 25 million in expenses this year, just due to the newly introduced air travel

 

[Wagerallsports]

Next season will be crucial as Caitlin will still be a hot item

But in year 3, unless she somehow wins the championship, interest in her may start to cool down

That will tell the tale

All of this still lies with one Superwoman

Remarkable actually

 

[jjgold]

Clark should start her own league with backers will eliminate wnba

 

[charliebrown]

Bet the lynx game 5

 

[quantumleap]

They don't need to make money. They can suck off the billions of dollars the NBA makes.

 

[fiftycint]

They don't need to make money. They can suck off the billions of dollars the NBA makes.

THIS

 

[jjgold]

Big issue wrong time of year

Summer in not basketball season and many people away, etc

Clark only one that sells out games

 

[Brock Landers]

Couldn't give a rats ass about women's basketball

Nothing will ever change that

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

WNBA is more of a charity than a business.

 

[Wagerallsports]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848180346631729178

 

[Wagerallsports]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1848358783551996214

 

[KVB]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1847631201206751694

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark cause the WNBA to lose $40 million​

They reduced $12million from the expected losses, originally estimated at $52million

For most people, the arrival of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to the WNBA, meant that the quality of the sport increased, and they are not wrong, it did. However, The New York Post claimed that the league is about to suffer a $40million loss in this 2024 season

Irreparable losses​

Since this two superstars joined the league, we have seen great results, transformed into sell-out crowds, increased merchandise sales and boosted TV audience numbers. For example, ESPN saw a 170% increase in viewership, and there were over 100 more sold-out gamescompared to the previous year.

Then, why is the league still facing significant losses? Well, they were expecting losses of $52million at the beginning of the season, but they have been reduced this figures to $40million thanks to the impact of Caitlin and Angel. Despite this, the WNBA is still not generating enough revenue to turn a profit. The league, however, is awaiting a $2.2billion media rights deal to kick in during the 2026 season. Numbers still do not add up.

A league executive told to the New York Post: "WNBA owes the NBA so much we won't see any windfall for years."

Now that Indiana Fever, led by Clark, are eliminated from the playoffs and Chicago Sky suffered Angel Reese's unfortunate injury, the immediate future of the league does not seem promising.

The WNBA is hoping for more players like these two to help the league eventually gain independence from the NBA. It is difficult but not impossible.

LMAO this is not a negative, bruh.

They figure two players reduced the expected loss by 12 million?

That's 23%.

With just two players.

They are on they're way to profitability.The opportunity for growth here is enormous.

Get into some private equity here to invest in the parent companies and the league.

Do you have any idea how much investement has gone into the WNBA?

Do you have any idea how many professional athletes are investing in WNBA onwership?

Common man.