Investors Turn to Smaller Sports Leagues as NFL and NBA Ownership Costs Rise
Investors unable to afford high-priced NFL and NBA ownership stakes are turning to smaller leagues like the NWSL and WNBA, driving up their valuations. This trend has led to a bidding war for teams in these leagues, with expansion fees increasing significantly over recent years. The NWSL's expansion fees have risen from $2 million in 2022 to $205 million for a new Columbus franchise.
Topics: NWSL expansion sports investments team ownership valuation growth