The Aces’ estimated group valuation has skyrocketed by an astounding 15,400 p.c since Raiders proprietor Mark Davis bought the WNBA franchise 4 years in the past.
The Las Vegas franchise is estimated to be value $310 million, in line with Forbes, which launched its first WNBA group valuation checklist Monday. Davis bought the Aces in 2021 for $2 million from MGM Resorts Worldwide.
He has been rewarded with WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023 underneath coach Becky Hammon and star participant A’ja Wilson, a three-time league MVP.
Davis has closely invested within the group, together with constructing the primary coaching facility solely for a WNBA group. The $40 million, 64,000-square-foot Henderson facility opened in 2023 and led to different WNBA groups constructing or planning to assemble comparable amenities.
The Aces are No. 4 on Forbes’ checklist, trailing the New York Liberty ($400 million), Indiana Fever ($370 million) and Seattle Storm ($330 million).
The typical worth of the 12 groups included in Forbes’ itemizing was $272 million. The growth Golden State Valkyries weren’t included within the preliminary rankings as a result of 2025 is their first 12 months within the league.
Forbes, which has launched valuations for years for NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB franchises, reviewed WNBA transaction knowledge and spoke with dozens of insiders, together with group and league executives, house owners and funding bankers, to develop the estimated valuations for the primary time.
Forbes wrote that the large enhance in group values is the results of a number of elements, together with a brand new TV broadcast rights deal, the shortage of WNBA franchises and the Caitlin Clark impact, which has generated extra hype, sponsorships and eyes on the league.
The Aces are estimated to have generated $22 million in income final season, in line with Forbes.
The group introduced a partnership with BetMGM this month, making it the primary within the WNBA to signal a cope with the sports activities betting arm of MGM Resorts.
The Aces even have one of many WNBA’s most marketable gamers in Wilson, whose first signature shoe from Nike went on sale this 12 months. She has appeared in a number of commercials, been featured as a canopy athlete for the favored NBA 2K online game franchise and struck a multiyear cope with Gatorade.
Forbes’ 2024 NFL valuation listed the Raiders at No. 7 at $6.7 billion. Their worth has jumped by $5.3 billion since 2015, the 12 months earlier than Las Vegas relocation talks started.
Forbes’ actual time web value tracker lists Davis at $2.5 billion, the 1,485th richest particular person on this planet, as of Monday.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Observe @mickakers on X.
