Valkyries top Sportico's WNBA team values

The expansion Golden State Valkyries are the top-valued team in the WNBA at $500 million, nearly double the average franchise valuation, Sportico reported Tuesday.

It's been a solid investment for the owners of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, who agreed in October 2023 to pay a $50 million expansion fee to own the WNBA franchise.

The value of WNBA teams has grown rapidly, based on Sportico's statistics. The average team worth is $269 million, which represents a 180 percent increase over 2024.

Taken together, WNBA franchises are worth a collective $3.5 billion, which also includes ownership of facilities such as practice gyms, per Sportico.

Second on the list of valuation is the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at $420 million.

The Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever had the largest jump, increasing in value to $335 million -- up 273 percent over 2024 -- to sit in third place.

One-third of the way through their first season, the Valkyries are 7-6, which is good for sixth place in the WNBA, one win better than Clark's Fever.