NBA owners are reportedly frustrated with the WNBA’s lack of financial returns

The WNBA has experienced a massive boom this season, generating an unprecedented amount of attention and fascination for the entire sport of women’s basketball.

However, that doesn’t mean the league is making money. In fact, far from it; An Oct. 18 New York Post article suggests the league’s majority investors aren’t happy with it.

“While the WNBA has sold-out crowds for the finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, the league’s owners will not recoup their investment for the foreseeable future, sources familiar with the situation said,” it said Article.

“The NBA owns almost 60 percent of the league.”

The article later said: “This season, the WNBA will lose $40 million, slightly more than the $50 million projected by several media outlets months ago, but still a loss, according to sources.”

This financial loss ultimately puts a strain on the pockets of the owners of the various NBA franchises.

The New York Post later stated, “The WNBA will also expand its regular season and playoff schedule to generate more revenue.” This adds interesting context to recent announcements made by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert regarding the future changes the league has made.

The most alarming aspect of the article was when the article’s authors, Josh Josman and Brian Lewis, wrote: “Some NBA owners want more transparency from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about when they will see a return of the suddenly popular WNBA.”

“New York Knicks owner James Dolan pushed Silver behind the scenes,” the article continued.

The WNBA will likely continue to grow in popularity – and ultimately revenue – as global icons Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese advance their careers and college superstars like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins enter professional sports in the coming years.

And that revenue can’t come soon enough for NBA owners.