Yes, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has a significant ownership stake in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), though the ownership structure is somewhat complex and has evolved over time.
Here's a breakdown:
Initial Ownership: The WNBA was founded by the NBA in 1996, and initially, the NBA collectively owned all the WNBA teams and the league itself.
Shift in 2002: Towards the end of 2002, the NBA began to sell the WNBA teams, either to their NBA counterparts in the same city or to independent third-party owners. This led to some teams relocating or even folding if new owners couldn't be found.
Current Ownership Structure: Today, the WNBA's ownership is a three-tiered structure:
The NBA itself owns 42% of the WNBA league.
The owners of the individual WNBA teams collectively own another 42% of the league. It's important to note that several WNBA franchises are also owned by individuals or groups who own NBA teams (e.g., the Indiana Fever's owner also owns the Pacers).
The remaining 16% belongs to a consortium of outside investors who participated in a $75 million capital raise in 2022.
This group includes prominent names like Nike, Michael Dell, and others.
In essence: While there are independent WNBA team owners and outside investors, the NBA retains a very significant and influential ownership share in the WNBA. This relationship means the NBA's Board of Governors often has ultimate authority on major league decisions, including aspects that affect player compensation and the league's overall direction.
