The WNBA is moving fast. Franchise values are climbing, TV deals are growing, and fans are showing up in bigger numbers than ever. Teams are investing back into their players, building practice complexes that match the league’s rise. Indiana is putting $78 million into a new home for Caitlin Clark and the Fever, but Los Angeles just raised the stakes.
This week, the Los Angeles Sparks announced a $150 million practice facility in El Segundo, California. The project is the largest single investment in women’s professional sports for a team facility. For a franchise that has trained in a rotation of gyms over the years, it’s a landmark shift.
“We’re building a place where Sparks players can be at their best on and off the court,” said managing partner Eric Holoman. He called it a commitment not only to athletes but to the city of Los Angeles and the fans who have supported the team for decades.
A Statement for the Brink Era
The announcement arrives just as Cameron Brink prepares for her return from an ACL injury that ended her rookie season after 15 games. The No. 2 overall pick in 2024 has spent more than a year rehabbing and is expected to play limited minutes as she regains strength.
The Sparks’ new facility will feature two WNBA courts, hydrotherapy pools, recovery and spa suites, nap rooms, and training areas designed with natural light. Family lounges and community spaces are also part of the plan, signaling a focus on lifestyle as well as performance. For players like Brink and teammate Kelsey Plum, the upgrade represents stability and long-term investment.
In a league where free agents increasingly weigh amenities alongside contracts, Los Angeles now has a powerful advantage. Teams without dedicated facilities, like Chicago, have already faced challenges keeping top players. The Sparks are making sure they don’t fall behind again.
Part of a Bigger WNBA Surge
Los Angeles isn’t the only franchise building. The Dallas Wings have a $55 million complex in the works, though construction delays have slowed progress. The New York Liberty, recently valued at $450 million after a minority stake sale, are planning their own new site in Brooklyn.
All of this comes as the WNBA prepares for a blockbuster $2.2 billion media rights deal beginning in 2026 with ESPN, Amazon, and NBCUniversal. With more money flowing into the league than ever before, investment in infrastructure is becoming the new standard.
For the Sparks, the $150 million facility is more than a practice space. It’s a message: with Brink returning to the floor and a new home on the horizon, Los Angeles plans to lead the league into its next era.
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