Former WNBA star Renee Montgomery saw the potential in the Atlanta Dream long before the franchise’s value skyrocketed. Now, her decision to invest in the team is paying off as the WNBA franchise reaches a reported $280 million valuation in 2026, up from the $7 million to $10 million purchase price when Montgomery joined its ownership group in 2021.
Investment Pays Off
Montgomery, who retired from professional basketball in 2021, became part of an investment group led by real estate investor Larry Gottesdiener in Februrary 2021. Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to become an owner and executive of a WNBA franchise. It has not been made public how large her investment is. She currently serves as the Dream’s vice president and has taken on responsibilities beyond the basketball court.
Montgomery was drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in 2009 after playing at the University of Connecticut. During her career, she played 364 games across several teams, including the Connecticut Sun, Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, and Dream. She retired in 2021.
Montgomery’s total career earnings from playing in the WNBA are estimated to be $300,000 over her 11-season career, from 2009 to 2019, according to Spotrac. Her net worth is estimated at about $3 million to $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Montgomery said the transition from player to executive has been an educational experience, requiring her to learn the business side of professional basketball while working alongside her fellow owners.
“We saw the potential,” she told Front Office Sports recently. “We saw like the city is a character in itself. We felt like we wanted to tap in more.”
The Atlanta Dream’s valuation rose from a reported $10 million in 2021 to $280 million in 2026. That represents a 2,700% increase in the team’s estimated value. The dramatic increase appears to reflect a combination of factors, including the WNBA’s surging popularity, growing investor interest and soaring expansion fees, rather than any single development.
