Engelbert and El-Erian Discuss Future of Sports on Sportico Show
In the latest episode of Sportico Sports Business Presented by Genius Sports, two influential figures in the sports industry, Cathy Engelbert and Mohamed A. El-Erian, shared their insights on the evolving landscape of sports.
Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, talked about the league’s rapid growth, the impact of star player Caitlin Clark, future collective bargaining agreements, and the challenge of balancing higher player salaries with sustainability.
El-Erian, president of Queens’ College, Cambridge, and chief economic advisor at Allianz, spoke about the resilience of the sports economy, the rising valuations of sports franchises, and why women’s sports are becoming a hot investment.
YES Network’s Bob Lorenz hosted, while Sportico Editor-in-Chief Scott Soshnick handled the interviews. If you want more details, check out the full article on Sportico Sports Business here.
The WNBA’s Hyper-Growth Phase
Table of Contents
Cathy Engelbert has led the WNBA into a period of wild growth. She calls it a hyper-growth mode, pointing to big jumps in viewership and merchandise sales.
New media deals have also helped the league reach more fans than ever before. It’s not just the numbers—it feels like a whole new era for the WNBA.
Triple Digit Increases in Viewership and Merch Sales
Engelbert didn’t hold back about the league’s growth, mentioning triple digit increases in viewership and merchandise sales. It’s a clear sign that more people are tuning in and buying in.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
One big reason for this surge? The Caitlin Clark effect. Clark’s star power has drawn a huge fan base, lifting the league’s visibility and appeal.
Engelbert said the WNBA’s planning and investments have put it in a good spot to take advantage of moments like this.
Future Collective Bargaining Agreements
With all this growth, the upcoming collective bargaining agreements (CBA) matter more than ever. Engelbert said she’s focused on balancing better player pay with keeping the league sustainable for the long haul.
Balancing Higher Player Salaries with Sustainability
She stressed the need for a business model that works long-term. Returning value to players is key, but not if it risks the league’s financial health.
The Resilience of the Sports Economy
Mohamed A. El-Erian offered his take on the sports economy and why it keeps bouncing back. He believes sports fans show inelastic demand—they stick with sports no matter what the economy is doing.
This loyal audience, plus constant innovation, keeps the sports industry strong.
Inelastic Demand and Captive Consumer Base
El-Erian said fans’ unwavering support creates a stable market. Even when times get tough, the industry keeps rolling.
Continued Innovation in Sports
Innovation keeps fans interested. El-Erian pointed out that new ways of presenting and experiencing sports help keep audiences invested.
Increased Franchise Valuations
Sports franchise values have shot up lately. El-Erian explained that limited supply and high demand drive these numbers.
Limited Supply and High Demand
There just aren’t that many franchises, especially in big leagues like the NFL. That scarcity makes them even more valuable to buyers.
Investment Potential in Women’s Sports
El-Erian also touched on why women’s sports are finally getting noticed by investors. Women’s teams were undervalued for years, but now people are catching on.
This new interest is pushing women’s sports franchise values higher at a rapid pace.
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Conclusion
Cathy Engelbert and Mohamed A. El-Erian have shared some sharp insights about the sports industry. Their perspectives really show just how much this space keeps changing.
The WNBA’s current surge, fueled by smart investments and rising stars like Caitlin Clark, makes you wonder why it took so long for women’s sports to get this kind of attention. There’s a sense that women’s leagues are finally being recognized as valuable assets.
At the same time, sports franchises keep climbing in value. The whole sports economy seems to bounce back, no matter what gets thrown at it.
If you want to dig into the details, check out the original article on *Sportico Sports Business* [here](https://www.sportico.com/business/sports/2025/engelbert-el-erian-sportico-sports-business-1234867441/).