New WNBA TV Contract

[Ice Man]

The WBNA's new primary TV contract, signed in conjunction with the NBA, will bring it $200 million per year. The league expects another $60 million from other TV sources, making for a total of $260 million.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2024/wnba-media-rights-deal-1234789726/

That's almost identical to what MLS soccer now gets in TV revenues, and represents a $200 million annual increase over this year's TV revenue of $60 million. To restate the issue, that's an additional $16 million in annual TV revenues per team, which is a very healthy chunk of change indeed for a league with average team salaries of $1.4 million!

[Asianiac_24]

Quite an overpay IMO unless Caitlin Clark and/or Aja Wilson blows up, and there is a Larry Bird/Magic situation.

[cupcakesnake]

Basically quadrupling their broadcasting revenue.

[hermes]

can be reexamined in three years, if needed

[hermes]

so where is all the money going to go?

- how much will make it to player salaries?
- what are teams going to do with their increased shares? i'm guessing charter flights are here to stay now, improved practice facilities?
- what is the league itself doing? do charter flights come out of its pocket? healthcare/pensions/other player benefits?

[Ice Man]

so where is all the money going to go?

- how much will make it to player salaries?
- what are teams going to do with their increased shares? i'm guessing charter flights are here to stay now, improved practice facilities?
- what is the league itself doing? do charter flights come out of its pocket? healthcare/pensions/other player benefits?

Good questions. One answer is that the teams are currently losing money, not just from an accounting basis, but from a cash in/cash out perspective, so ownership will surely look to pocket much of the TV increase, so as to balance its books.

Another answer is yes, charter flights are here to stay. And third, player salaries will surely rise. That's an easy item. If you double them, that's only an additional $1.4 million per team, out of the $16+ million in extra cash. Easy enough to do that.

Finally, I have no idea about other player benefits.

[hermes]

they are planning on looking at the cba next year right? going to be a big push by everyone for all that new money

[cupcakesnake]

they are planning on looking at the cba next year right? going to be a big push by everyone for all that new money

New broadcast deal kicks in in 2025. CBA expires in 2027 but can opt out at the end of this season. That's virtually guaranteed now.

[___Rand___]

The WBNA's new primary TV contract, signed in conjunction with the NBA, will bring it $200 million per year. The league expects another $60 million from other TV sources, making for a total of $260 million.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2024/wnba-media-rights-deal-1234789726/

That's almost identical to what MLS soccer now gets in TV revenues, and represents a $200 million annual increase over this year's TV revenue of $60 million. To restate the issue, that's an additional $16 million in annual TV revenues per team, which is a very healthy chunk of change indeed for a league with average team salaries of $1.4 million!

They are having expansion. So is that going to change the additional revenue per team?

[hermes]

more teams = larger inventory of games

i think tv contracts like this probably have clauses where the total money increases if the number of games goes up. but you'd have to read the fine print for sure.

[rmontro]

Does this make the league profitable? I thought I heard they were losing $50 million a year. They need to pay the players more before they do anything though.

[Dominator83]

All of Clark's peers that like to hate on her, should be thankful she's buttering all their bread.

[MrDollarBills]

The WBNA's new primary TV contract, signed in conjunction with the NBA, will bring it $200 million per year. The league expects another $60 million from other TV sources, making for a total of $260 million.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2024/wnba-media-rights-deal-1234789726/

That's almost identical to what MLS soccer now gets in TV revenues, and represents a $200 million annual increase over this year's TV revenue of $60 million. To restate the issue, that's an additional $16 million in annual TV revenues per team, which is a very healthy chunk of change indeed for a league with average team salaries of $1.4 million!

They are having expansion. So is that going to change the additional revenue per team?

It definitely will that's 24 more salary slots being added.

[MrDollarBills]

Does this make the league profitable? I thought I heard they were losing $50 million a year. They need to pay the players more before they do anything though.

It's a step forward.

The league is trending upwards. This is like when the NBA started to pick up steam in the early 80s.

We have our current crop of veteran stars, and our exciting rookie class

Then, adding two new teams will increase roster spots so that good players can be retained.

After that, we've got the college to pro pipeline in the mix. There are legit stars, possibly superstars on the way.

Enjoy the ride

[MrDollarBills]

I think that the NBA needs to double their annual endowment to the W. Now is the time to start pouring money in

[rmontro]

I think that the NBA needs to double their annual endowment to the W. Now is the time to start pouring money in

I wonder if they ever even thought they would make any money with it.

[___Rand___]

The WBNA's new primary TV contract, signed in conjunction with the NBA, will bring it $200 million per year. The league expects another $60 million from other TV sources, making for a total of $260 million.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2024/wnba-media-rights-deal-1234789726/

That's almost identical to what MLS soccer now gets in TV revenues, and represents a $200 million annual increase over this year's TV revenue of $60 million. To restate the issue, that's an additional $16 million in annual TV revenues per team, which is a very healthy chunk of change indeed for a league with average team salaries of $1.4 million!

They are having expansion. So is that going to change the additional revenue per team?

It definitely will that's 24 more salary slots being added.

Ah ok damn so... that's $200/14 instead of 12. So $14m vs $16m. The league as a whole is expected to lose $50m this year or $4.1m per team. So basically with this media deal, and not knowing the players' revenue split (new CBA coming), the league as a whole should be in the black with the new deal.

[Ghetto Gospel]

They are having expansion. So is that going to change the additional revenue per team?

It definitely will that's 24 more salary slots being added.

Ah ok damn so... that's $200/14 instead of 12. So $14m vs $16m. The league as a whole is expected to lose $50m this year or $4.1m per team. So basically with this media deal, and not knowing the players' revenue split (new CBA coming), the league as a whole should be in the black with the new deal.

in theory that's true but i think that $50m expected to lose number is considerably more than it was in the past and right now the revenue is probably higher than it ever has been.

i'm guessing the league has been pumping money into marketing the teams, players, hiring better talent/decision makers, etc. that it'll be mostly fine whether or not they're in the red or black. the product is growing quickly and this new tv deal shows it. they just need to keep working at it and growing the product.

[___Rand___]

It definitely will that's 24 more salary slots being added.

Ah ok damn so... that's $200/14 instead of 12. So $14m vs $16m. The league as a whole is expected to lose $50m this year or $4.1m per team. So basically with this media deal, and not knowing the players' revenue split (new CBA coming), the league as a whole should be in the black with the new deal.

in theory that's true but i think that $50m expected to lose number is considerably more than it was in the past and right now the revenue is probably higher than it ever has been.

i'm guessing the league has been pumping money into marketing the teams, players, hiring better talent/decision makers, etc. that it'll be mostly fine whether or not they're in the red or black. the product is growing quickly and this new tv deal shows it. they just need to keep working at it and growing the product.

Hey dude your avatar that's one of my fav fishes. Used to have a pair or trio of them. They are so gorgeous. Miss them.

The increased losses probably is due to the charter flights too I'd think. Ticket sales are probably higher so what you're saying is the losses will be lower. Either case, it's going to be good news with the new media deal. Although.... it's going to lock them for 11 years and $200per seems low in 10 years' time.

[Doctor MJ]

The WBNA's new primary TV contract, signed in conjunction with the NBA, will bring it $200 million per year. The league expects another $60 million from other TV sources, making for a total of $260 million.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2024/wnba-media-rights-deal-1234789726/

That's almost identical to what MLS soccer now gets in TV revenues, and represents a $200 million annual increase over this year's TV revenue of $60 million. To restate the issue, that's an additional $16 million in annual TV revenues per team, which is a very healthy chunk of change indeed for a league with average team salaries of $1.4 million!

Awesome!