The New York Liberty has officially become the world’s most valuable women’s sports team.

Valued at $450 million following the sale of a minority stake, the Liberty didn’t just top the charts, they are now the gold standard.

This figure is the result of years of planning, investment, and strategic repositioning that turned a WNBA franchise into a culturally and commercially elite property.

“I’ve been in this league for a really long time, and it’s just great to see the evolution,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said before Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Sky.

“Everyone is pushing for excellence, and it does start at the top. It starts with ownership,” she said. “We’ve got the best owners in the WNBA and they’re going to keep pushing for us to keep growing, us and collectively as a league.”

The minority stake deal, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by ESPN, is more than a headline. It’s a signal to the wider market.

The valuation eclipses the likes of:

• Angel City FC ($250M)
• Chelsea FC Women ($265M, based on Alexis Ohanian’s recent 10% acquisition for £20M)

The Liberty’s number is built on fundamentals:

• 890% increase in season ticket memberships
• 130% year-on-year rise in merchandise sales
• Sell-out games. Elevated social engagement.
• A media profile that rivals top-tier men’s teams.

There’s also a new 75,000-square-foot training facility in the works, set to open in 2027, with two courts, strength and recovery zones, and wellness suites.

Not bad for a franchise delegated to playing their home games outside of the city in Westchester county back in 2018.