Picture a hushed boardroom as titans of industry negotiate over a prized basketball franchise. The Las Vegas Aces, once a modest WNBA team, have transformed into a powerhouse, both athletically and financially. But who are the architects behind this ascent?
From clandestine boardroom dealings to billionaire power plays, the story of the Las Vegas Aces’ ownership reads like a high-stakes thriller.
Whether courtside hushed whispers about the next investment-fueled boardrooms at NFL sidelines or championship parades transform the Las Vegas Strip, one truth endures: the Las Vegas Aces are more than a team—they’re a testament to the growing power and profitability of women’s professional sports.
The Makers of Las Vegas Aces’ Million-Dollar Brand
The franchise’s roots stretch back to 1997 as the Utah Starzz, one of the WNBA’s eight charter teams. Struggling on the court and at the gate, the Starzz relocated to San Antonio in 2003 under Spurs Sports & Entertainment, rebranding as the Silver Stars.
Despite moments of promise, most notably a 2008 playoff run, the team’s fortunes plateaued. In 2017, MGM Resorts acquired Starzz, which was renamed as the San Antonio Stars in 2014. MGM then transplanted the franchise to Las Vegas, christening them the Aces and laying the groundwork for a rapid resurgence.
The rebranded Aces quickly found a fervent fanbase. In January 2021, MGM agreed to sell the team to Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, pending league approval. The NBA & WNBA Board of Governors gave the green light on February 12, 2021.
Though official terms remained undisclosed, multiple outlets report Davis purchased the franchise for a mere $2 million—a figure that has since yielded an astonishing 6,900% return as the team’s valuation soared. According to Forbes, Davis himself stands with a net worth of over $2.5 billion. Hence, it wouldn’t be remiss to say that he bought the Aces for chump change.
I’ve seen many people talk about how Mark Davis got a great deal by buying the Las Vegas Aces for $2 million.
And he did — but Davis also invested heavily in the franchise, spending $40 million to build the first-ever practice facility exclusively used by a WNBA team.
•… pic.twitter.com/lIzQ3QtMHV
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 29, 2024
In March 2023, Davis unveiled a surprise co-investor: seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Drawn by courtside thrills in May 2022, Brady acquired a minority interest in the reigning WNBA champions, enhancing the Aces’ celebrity cachet and spotlighting women’s sports in mainstream media.
Though the exact percentage remains private, Brady’s involvement underscores a growing trend of high-profile athletes investing in women’s professional leagues.
Under Davis’s stewardship, the Aces have been transformed. In April 2023, the organization opened a state-of-the-art, 64,000-square-foot training facility in Henderson. It included hydrotherapy pools, a lecture hall, and on-site daycare.
Additionally, former six-time WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon was signed as head coach in December 2021, replacing Bill Laimbeer. Hammon also earned the title of the league’s second-highest-paid coach and fueling back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
THE LAS VEGAS ACES REPEAT AS CHAMPS!
THE FIRST REPEAT CHAMPIONS SINCE THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS IN 2001 AND 2002! pic.twitter.com/JWxbIUXmWO
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 19, 2023
Aces Crowned the Most Valuable Team in the WNBA
Sportico‘s 2024 analyses revealed the Las Vegas Aces atop all WNBA franchises with an estimated worth of $140 million, outpacing the league average of $96 million.
According to Sports Illustrated, their $17.8 million in 2023 revenue was the highest in the league, driven by sold-out crowds, lucrative sponsorships, and rising media rights fees. Collectively, WNBA teams now command $1.16 billion in value, signaling an era of rapid financial growth for women’s sports.
Furthermore, the Aces sold out their entire 8,600 ticket packages before the 2024 season, becoming the first and only team to do so in the WNBA’s storied history.
Yet even dynasties face adversity. On May 25 ET, the Aces (2-2) landed in Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena to meet the Storm (3-1) and endured a harsh lesson. Seattle exploded for a 34-point first quarter, building leads as large as 22 by the end of halftime in a 102–82 victory.
Nneka Ogwumike poured in 23 points, while Erica Wheeler’s season-high 21 and seven assists cemented the rout. For the Aces, MVP A’ja Wilson managed 15 points, while Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd added 14 points each. But the early deficit proved insurmountable.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the Aces stand at the nexus of sport and spectacle. With elite talent on the court, a billionaire owner and a GOAT-turned-co-investor, and a best-in-class facility, the franchise is poised to redefine profitability and prestige in the WNBA.
The Aces now head to face the Los Angeles Sparks on May 30, aiming for their next win.
