Prime Highlights
- Industry leaders urged investors to go beyond funding and actively support the growth of women’s sports through engagement and long-term commitment.
- Despite rising popularity and strong momentum, experts highlighted the need to address pay gaps and ensure fair opportunities across the sector.
Key Facts
- Women’s sports revenue in the U.S. grew 4.5 times between 2022 and 2024 and is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2030.
- Global women’s sports are expected to generate at least $2.35 billion in 2025, reflecting a 25% increase from the previous year.
Background:
Investors in women’s sports must go beyond simply writing checks and instead take an active role in building the ecosystem, speakers said at the Investing in Women’s Sports Symposium held in New York on Thursday.
About 150 investors and sports executives gathered at the inaugural event, organized by How Women Invest, to discuss the rapid growth and remaining gaps in the sector. Even though more people are watching and following women’s sports, sometimes as much as or more than men’s, experts say unequal pay and ownership gaps are still major challenges.
Lorine Pendleton, founder of 125 Ventures, pointed to the sharp pay gap between top draft picks. She said she was shocked to learn that Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, earns a base salary of just over $76,000, while the top NBA draft pick reportedly makes about $12 million in his first year. “Worth is a microcosm of society, and women are paid on an unequal basis,” Pendleton said during a panel discussion.
Melissa Bradley, general partner at BEA Venture Fund, said women, especially Black women, rarely share in the financial returns generated by sports. Revenue in U.S. women’s sports grew 4.5 times from 2022 to 2024 and could reach $2.5 billion in value for rightsholders by 2030, according to McKinsey. Deloitte estimates that global women’s elite sports revenue will reach at least $2.35 billion in 2025, up 25% from the previous year.
Despite the strong outlook, speakers described the sector as still “nascent.” They urged investors to stay engaged beyond capital commitments. Bradley said investors must show visible support, such as attending games and promoting teams, rather than acting like hedge funds seeking quick control.
At the same time, private equity firms have stepped in. Sixth Street owns a majority stake in Bay FC, and The Carlyle Group controls Seattle Reign FC. Monarch Collective has invested in Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, while Ariel Investments backs Denver Summit FC.
“The men are moving in. Private equity is moving in,” Pendleton said. “Now is our time.”
