The WNBA has seen significant growth in attention and revenue this season, but a recent article from the New York Post on October 18 revealed that the league is still experiencing major financial losses. NBA owners, who hold the majority share of the league, are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.
The article mentioned that the WNBA is projected to lose $40 million this season, an improvement from the initial forecast of $50 million. Despite this, it remains a loss for the league.
With the NBA owning nearly 60 percent of the WNBA, some NBA owners are seeking more transparency from NBA commissioner Adam Silver regarding when they can expect a return on their investment in the popular WNBA. New York Knicks owner James Dolan has been advocating for this behind the scenes.
Although the article was published almost two weeks ago, it was only on Tuesday that Silver addressed the concerns raised by the New York Post during an interview with CNBC Sport.
Silver emphasized the integrated nature of the NBA and WNBA business, stating, “We are all one integrated business. So when you say ‘they’, they is us.”
When asked about the accuracy of the article, Silver acknowledged the various points raised and confirmed ongoing discussions with WNBA and NBA team owners to determine the future valuation and operations of the league.
He noted, “It’s very integrated now with the NBA…we’re collectively looking at all those issues, figuring out the right way to operate going forward.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke with Alex Sherman about the WNBA media rights deal, expansion, and the NY Post report of disgruntled NBA owners. (via @CNBC)
“To say the market may be in a different place than it was at the time we were negotiating, we’ll see. There’s still… pic.twitter.com/8H2YP4GCj3
In essence, Silver affirmed that some NBA owners are indeed frustrated with the financial outcome of their WNBA investments.
While he did not express the same level of urgency as portrayed in the article, it is possible that his response was influenced by media training or anticipation of the forthcoming lucrative WNBA media rights deal.
