Two prominent NBA franchises saw ownership changes this year, which is pretty significant. Meanwhile, the WNBA is gaining traction, prompting plans for more expansion teams in the near future.
The impact of Hurricane Milton on Tropicana Field was quite severe, leading the Rays to play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training site for the New York Yankees, until 2025. This situation will likely hinge on what the new owner decides about the team’s future.
As for U.S. women’s professional soccer, its growth further underscores its influence, especially looking ahead to 2025.
Major NBA Ownership Change
In June, the Bass family struck a deal with Guggenheim Partners’ CEO Mark Walter to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers, valued at around $10 billion—the highest ever for a pro sports team in the U.S. Although Walter took majority ownership, the Bass family still holds a minority stake. Jeanie Buss will continue to represent the Lakers on the NBA’s Board of Governors.
The arrangement also included a commitment that allowed Bass to oversee the team’s daily operations for “at least several years,” according to ESPN.
Then, in August, the NBA Board of Governors backed a group led by Bill Chisholm to acquire the Boston Celtics, valued at about $6.1 billion. Amid these changes, the Celtics are expected to capture their franchise-record 18th NBA championship in 2024, outpacing the Lakers historically.
MLB Ownership Transfer
Patrick Zalopski, a real estate mogul, led an investment group that was given the green light to take over the Rays after Stu Sternberg indicated he wanted to sell. This deal closed in September for approximately $1.7 billion.
NWSL Expansion Plans
In January, Robert Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial, led an investment group that agreed on expansion fees for the NWSL, paving the way for Denver to have its inaugural NWSL team, named the Denver Summit, set to debut in 2026. Additionally, another expansion team, the Boston Legacy, will join in the same year.
Fast forward to November, the NWSL revealed Atlanta would gain its 17th franchise, slated to launch in 2028. Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, will lead ownership for this new team. He expressed gratitude towards NWSL leaders for making it possible, saying he’s eager to see the team in action.
WNBA Teams Coming Soon
New teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are on track to join the WNBA, pushing the league’s total to 18 by 2030.
Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group has been designated as the owner for the Cleveland team, set to tip off in 2028. As for the Connecticut Sun, minority owner Steve Pagliuca, also involved with the Celtics, has an agreement aiming to relocate the franchise to Boston.
However, WNBA leadership clarified that such decisions must go through the league’s board, not individual teams.
Having acquired the Sun back in 2003, the Mohegan Tribe successfully moved the team from Florida to Connecticut. Currently, several options regarding the franchise’s future are under consideration, including potential buyouts or moves to different cities.
