The WNBA is set to expand its league from the current 13 teams to 15 by 2026, capitalizing on the rising popularity of women’s basketball and the increasing fan demand for more franchises. Among the potential markets for these new teams, Kansas City has emerged as a prime contender, thanks to the involvement of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With a portfolio already encompassing stakes in several professional sports teams, Patrick Mahomes has expressed a strong desire to bring a WNBA team to Kansas City by partnering with his Current ownership group. This group has already invested heavily in local sports franchises, and Patrick Mahomes is now eyeing this WNBA expansion as a way to deepen his impact on Kansas City’s sports culture and continue his commitment to promoting women’s sports.
The WNBA’s expansion is driven by impressive recent growth. The league saw a 21% increase in regular-season viewership in 2023, with games on ABC, ESPN, and CBS averaging 563,000 viewers, the highest in 15 years. Attendance has also surged, with the 2023 season marking a 16% increase year-over-year. The league’s increasing visibility and fan engagement signal a growing appetite for women’s sports, which makes expansion not only feasible but also strategically advantageous. Adding two more teams by 2026 would provide a broader platform for athletes, generate new revenue streams for the league, and open opportunities for regional markets that previously lacked a WNBA presence.
Patrick Mahomes, known off the field for his savvy business sense, sees this expansion as an opportunity to bring professional women’s basketball to Kansas City; a city with a strong sports fanbase. His interest in adding a WNBA team to Kansas City is part of a larger investment strategy he’s been building with his Current ownership group, which includes stakes in multiple high-profile teams across various sports leagues. Among their holdings, Patrick Mahomes and his group are co-owners of the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Launched with his wife, Brittany Mahomes, in 2021, the Kansas City Current has quickly become one of the premier women’s soccer franchises in the U.S., with substantial investments in its facilities. The team recently unveiled a $117 million stadium dedicated exclusively to women’s soccer, making it the first purpose-built stadium for a women’s team. This commitment not only elevated the Kansas City Current’s profile but also demonstrated Patrick Mahomes’s dedication to women’s sports and the growth of Kansas City as a sports hub.
In addition to the Kansas City Current, Patrick Mahomes’s Current investment group holds equity stakes in other teams, such as Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is a valuation of around $590 million as of 2023, reflects Patrick Mahomes’s strategic positioning in Kansas City sports. By diversifying across different leagues, Patrick Mahomes has established a multi-sport presence, leveraging Kansas City’s vibrant sports community to support the development of local franchises. Other investments by Patrick Mahomes’s Current investment group include the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as a 2023 investment in the Alpine Formula 1 team, reportedly worth $218 million for a 24% share, valuing the entire F1 team at over $900 million dollars.
Financially, Patrick Mahomes’s investments reflect his commitment to both the Kansas City sports scene and the wider landscape of professional sports. While Patrick Mahomes’s exact financial commitment to the Kansas City Current has not been disclosed, it’s clear that his involvement has significantly elevated the team’s value. Major NWSL teams have seen a sharp rise in valuation, with top franchises like Angel City FC valued at approximately $100 million. Given Patrick Mahomes’s influence, the Kansas City Current could achieve similar valuation growth, especially with investments in facilities that provide a world-class experience for players and fans alike.
For a WNBA franchise, the expected buy-in cost for new teams ranges between $15 million and $20 million, which represents an accessible entry point relative to the valuations seen in other major leagues. Comparatively, this investment is significantly lower than that for teams in the NBA, NFL, or even MLS, making the WNBA an attractive prospect for investors looking to tap into the growing market for women’s sports. The WNBA has also benefited from high-profile investments recently, including Joe Tsai’s BSE Global who owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty. These strategic investments have not only increased franchise values but also amplified the reach and impact of the WNBA.
Patrick Mahomes’s investment group is uniquely suited to provide financial stability, strategic planning, and marketing reach for a new Kansas City WNBA team. Given Patrick Mahomes’s estimated net worth of around $90 million dollars and his lucrative 10-year $450 million dollar contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, he has ample resources to leverage for his investments. Patrick Mahomes’s involvement in multiple sports has allowed him to cultivate a business network that could attract additional sponsorships, media partnerships, and merchandising opportunities for a potential WNBA franchise. Kansas City’s diverse population of over 2.2 million people provides a substantial local market, and Patrick Mahomes’s celebrity status could draw even more fans from across the country, further enhancing the franchise’s financial viability.
Kansas City’s established fanbase has already shown strong support for women’s sports, as evidenced by the popularity of the Kansas City Current. By bringing a WNBA team to Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes’s ownership group would create new job opportunities, enhance the city’s profile as a sports destination, and contribute to the local economy through increased tourism and associated businesses. A WNBA team could also inspire a new generation of athletes, creating pathways for young women in Kansas City and beyond to pursue basketball professionally.
The potential for a WNBA franchise in Kansas City represents more than just another sports investment for Patrick Mahomes; it’s a chance to build on his legacy in Kansas City and make a broader impact in women’s sports. Given the success of the Kansas City Current and his expanding investments, Patrick Mahomes is seen as an ideal ambassador for this initiative. His experience with managing and growing sports franchises, coupled with his hands-on involvement with the Kansas City Current, positions him as an influential force capable of driving success for a WNBA team.
As the WNBA prepares for its next phase of expansion, Patrick Mahomes’s involvement brings excitement and credibility to Kansas City’s bid. The synergy between his existing ownership group, which includes diverse investments across multiple sports, and the city’s passionate sports culture could create a compelling case for the WNBA to bring a team to Kansas City. This potential WNBA franchise would not only enhance the city’s status as a multi-sport hub but also cement Patrick Mahomes’s reputation as a forward-thinking investor dedicated to uplifting women’s sports. For fans, athletes, and the city of Kansas City, the prospect of Patrick Mahomes leading a WNBA team is a thrilling development that could transform the sports landscape and inspire future generations.
Mahomes: K.C. WNBA expansion bid ‘next logical step’ for Current ownership group