On with Kara Swisher The WNBA Is On a Winning Streak. Is It Sustainable?
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Apr 23, 2026 
Clara Wu Tsai, investor and owner of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets, talks about why she bet on the WNBA early. She gets into rebuilding the Liberty, what is driving the boom in women’s sports, and why media rights and expansion could matter more than hype. She also discusses the next CBA and her work closing the sports science data gap for women.
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Why Media Deals Matter More Than Any One Star
- Clara Wu Tsai says WNBA economics depend more on premium media distribution than any single star, even in a star-driven league.
- She ties future growth to TV reach, NCAA pipeline strength, NIL-backed rookies, and promoting rivalries that already arrive with built-in audiences.
How The New CBA Reset WNBA Economics
- Clara Wu Tsai says the new CBA resets WNBA economics with a huge pay jump and revenue sharing that aligns players with owners.
- The salary cap rises from $1.4 million to $7 million, top pay from about $240,000 to $1.4 million, and average salary toward $600,000.
Why WNBA Ownership Is So Complicated
- Clara Wu Tsai says the WNBA's mixed ownership exists because the league needed NBA support and outside capital to survive and grow.
- She frames the tradeoff plainly: when investors share the risk early, they also share the upside once valuations rise.