The surging popularity of the WNBA has led to the addition of expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, along with growing interest in WNBA betting odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Investors have been willing to part with increasingly large sums to secure a share of WNBA franchises, as team valuations continue to soar.
Who Are the Richest WNBA Owners?
| Rank | Name | Team | Net Worth |
| 1 | Mark Walter | Los Angeles Sparks | $13.3 billion |
| 2 | Joe Tsai | New York Liberty | $13 billion |
| 3 | Tilman J. Fertitta | Connecticut Sun | $11 billion |
| 4 | Mat Ishbia | Phoenix Mercury | $9.1 billion |
| 5 | Larry Gottesdiener | Atlanta Dream | $8 billion |
| 6 | Herb Simon | Indiana Fever | $6.7 billion |
| 7 | Ted Leonsis | Washington Mystics | $3.9 billion |
| 8 | Mark Davis | Las Vegas Aces | $3.3 billion |
| T-9 | Marc Lore | Minnesota Lynx | $3 billion |
| T-9 | Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal | Portland Fire | $3 billion |
| 11 | Larry Tanenbaum | Toronto Tempo | $2.8 billion |
| 12 | Joe Lacob | Golden State Valkyries | $2.3 billion |
| 13 | Bill Cameron | Dallas Wings | $2 billion |
| 14 | Michael Alter | Chicago Sky | $1 billion |
| 15 | Lisa Brummel | Seattle Storm | $300 million |
1. Mark Walter, Los Angeles Sparks: $13.3 billion
Along with owning the Los Angeles Sparks, Mark Walter is also the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. Walter and Steven E. Johnson helped to keep the Sparks in Los Angeles.
2. Joe Tsai, New York Liberty: $13 billion
Joe Tsai’s riches have helped the New York Liberty become perennial basketball betting favourites. Tsai led a group that bought the Liberty from Madison Square Garden Company in 2019.
3. Tilman J. Fertitta, Connecticut Sun: $11 billion
Tilman J. Fertitta, along with being the ambassador to Italy, is the owner of the Connecticut Sun after purchasing the team in March 2026. Fertitta is planning to relocate the Sun to Houston for the 2027 season.
4. Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Mercury: $9.1 billion
Mat Ishbia purchased the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns for $4 billion in 2023. Ishbia and his brother also hold a minority stake in the Chicago White Sox.
5. Larry Gottesdiener, Atlanta Dream: $8 billion
Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery are the owners of the Atlanta Dream. Gottesdiener is the founder of Northland Investment Corporation, a real estate private equity firm.
6. Herb Simon, Indiana Fever: $6.7 billion
Herb Simon owns the Indiana Fever along with his nephew, David. Simon and his brother Mel purchased the Indiana Pacers in 1983.
7. Ted Leonsis, Washington Mystics: $3.9 billion
Ted Leonsis bought the Washington Mystics and the Washington Wizards in 2010. Leonsis made his fortune through a magazine he founded and a PR company he later sold to AOL.
8. Mark Davis, Las Vegas Aces: $3.3 billion
Previously a season-ticket holder and frequently seen at home games, Mark Davis bought the Las Vegas Aces in 2021. Las Vegas has won three titles since Davis bought the team.
T-9. Marc Lore, Minnesota Lynx: $3 billion
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez were involved in a lengthy process to purchase the Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves. Lore and Rodriguez spent three years gradually increasing their stake in the team before taking control.
T-9. Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, Portland Fire: $3 billion
Siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal own the Portland Fire, Sacramento Kings, and Portland Thorns. Their business ventures include swimwear and real estate.
11. Larry Tanenbaum, Toronto Tempo: $2.8 billion
Larry Tanenbaum holds a 20% stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Tanenbaum is involved in several Canadian franchises, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto FC.
Related: Who Are the Owners of the Toronto Tempo?
12. Joe Lacob, Golden State Valkyries: $2.3 billion
Previously an owner of the San Jose Lasers, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber reached an agreement to bring a WNBA team to the Bay Area in 2023. The Golden State Valkyries played their first season in 2025.
13. Bill Cameron, Dallas Wings: $2 billion
Bill Cameron brought the franchise back to Dallas in 2015 after a few years in Tulsa. Cameron has invested $27 million in the Dallas Wings’ new practice facility.
14. Michael Alter, Chicago Sky: $1 billion
Michael Alter has a background in commercial real estate and bought the Chicago Sky back in 2005. Alter has faced criticisms from a Sky minority owner, but he was widely backed by other minority shareholders.
15. Lisa Brummel, Seattle Storm: $300 million
Lisa Brummel is part of Force 10 Hoops LLC, which bought the Seattle Storm in 2008. Sue Bird, Bobby Wagner, and former Microsoft executive Dawn Trudeau are also part of the ownership group.
Who Is the Wealthiest WNBA Owner?
Mark Walter, with a net worth of more than $13 billion, is the wealthiest WNBA owner. Walter owns the Los Angeles Sparks as part of a widespread sports portfolio.
Walter also has stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, Chelsea, and Strasbourg.
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