The WNBA Finals are ramping up between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries, but regardless of who is crowned champion at the end of the season, the Valkyries have already won a major milestone for women’s sports. This month the Valkyries became the first women’s professional sports franchise to exceed $100 million in annual revenue.
According to Fox Sports, the second-year WNBA expansion team is no stranger to breaking barriers.
The Valkyries are also the first WNBA team to average 18,000 attendees per game, selling out their season tickets and packing the Chase Center for every game.
Related: Game Changers: The Golden State Valkyries Hire WNBA’s First Asian American Head Coach
On the road to breaking the $100 million barrier, the Valkyries boasted a sponsorship portfolio of over 40 brands
“What we know about our fan base in women’s sports, and specifically around the Valkyries, is they want us to be really good stewards,” Valkyries’ team president Jess Smith told Ministry of Sport. “They want us to be powerful and unapologetic.”
When the Valkyries owners purchased the franchise license in 2023, it cost them $50 million. Now, the team is valued at $1 billion and breaking revenue records. The meteoric rise of the team is changing the narrative about the value of women’s sports and expansion teams in general.
“Honestly, it’s from the leaders up top. Top to bottom they really believe in what women’s sport is and what the Valkyries can do and can be. And I think from that belief, it extends. When you speak from the heart, you reach the heart and they’re constantly speaking of what they believe that we can become, of who we are,” said Miela Sowah, WNBA rookie guard and former player at Duke University. “When the people at the top will lead by example and are giving everything they’ve got, then the team follows that. And then the community’s jumped on board and followed as well. They give their heart and soul at each game.”
