Liberty Notebook: Chris DeMarco, players talk fine tuning offense, team’s $600 million valuation & more

“Just find more rhythm,” DeMarco said he hopes to accomplish on Sunday. “There’s certain combinations we’ll look at, but I think it’s all part of training camp. You know, we’ve been playing against each other. We obviously have our practice squad we’re playing against but a chance for us to come together and play against a different opponent who’s also organized.”

THE $600 MILLION TEAM

The rich keep getting richer.

The Liberty rank second in Sportico’s annual WNBA franchise valuation with the publication revealing the franchise being worth a whopping $600 million.

The mark puts the franchise behind the Golden State Valkyries, who are worth $850 million.

The Liberty’s 2026 valuation is a jump from the reported $450 million valuation in 2025.

“It’s kind of a testament to us, this organization, the fans, our owners, and the investment that they continue to put in to the product that they see on the court. It takes a lot of people for that to happen, so I’m not surprised,” said Ionescu.

The Indiana Fever ($560 million), Seattle Storm ($425 million) and Phoenix Mercury ($420 million) round out the top five valuations.

“I think it’s definitely important,” said Betnijah Laney-Hamilton when asked if franchise valuations are numbers players look forward to. “I wouldn’t say that it’s something that’s like on my mind as we’re going out there [to play], but it’s something that’s definitely important to just know that you know that we are valuable.”

PRACTICE NOTES

DeMarco expects Sabally to get her first preseason action on Sunday. The head coach will consult with his performance staff before deciding how many minutes the star will play.

He said Sabally’s previous absence is “part of the process” with the team building her up.

Allen hasn’t been a full participant in practice yet, but “she’s getting there,” DeMarco said. The veteran is out for Sunday’s matchup in Connecticut.

Laney-Hamilton was limited during the practice session open to media on Friday.

“Just making sure we’re saying on top of everything, you know, as I’m getting back out there and practicing…” she said.

Star Jonquel Jones was absent from practice Friday because “she wasn’t feeling well,” per DeMarco.

MAKING CUTS

On Thursday, the Liberty announced the team’s first round of cuts: guards Ashely Owusu and Ny’Ceara Pryor.

Pryor, a former Texas A&M guard, went 0-for-4 while totaling three rebounds, five assists, four steals in three turnovers in 24 minutes last week.

Ex-Nittany Lion Owusu also went 0-for-4 while recording three rebounds and one assist.

The cuts were the first of the DeMarco era and the team is expected to make another round by next week.

“At the end of the day, it’s a front office thing. I am part of it,” the head coach said. “I think it’s really important to understand that for a lot of these players, like coming into camp like this is their dream to be in this situation, and this is ultimately where they want to play and be at. And we understand that. Both were very young players, and both have bright futures, and I think both are WNBA players. Just for me as a coach like I’ve been honest from the start about what we’re looking for, and I’m also honest about where they can get to as players.”