‘Changing Very Rapidly’ – WNBA Owner Predicts Women’s Sports Will Match Men’s Team Valuations

September 15, 2026

There has been plenty of discussion over the last few days around Cathy Engelbert’s impact on the WNBA since she became commissioner.

During her tenure, league viewership has reportedly climbed by roughly 454%, while attendance has also grown significantly since 2019. Now, a WNBA team owner has offered a wider look at how quickly women’s sports are developing and where they could eventually go financially.

On Tuesday, at the Front Office Sports-presented Asset Class conference in Portland, Portland Fire and Thorns co-owner Alex Bhathal discussed the changing business landscape around women’s sports.

According to Bhathal, the gap between men’s and women’s sports is changing rapidly, with women’s sports continuing to attract more attention from fans, businesses, and investors. PFSN