Report: WNBA franchise could be headed to the Bay Area
Sep 27, 2023, 1:30 PM
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: A general view of the exterior of the Chase Center before the Golden State Warriors played against the Sacramento Kings in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
If the latest reports pan out, the WNBA could return to Northern California.
Unfortunately, not as north as some people in Sacramento would like.
According to The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II, the Golden State Warriors “are close to bringing a WNBA franchise to the Bay Area.” If a deal is secured, Thompson writes the team would play at the Chase Center and would be headquartered in Oakland.
Thompson notes an announcement could come in October, presumably after the conclusion of the WNBA Finals.
Currently, the WNBA consists of 12 teams. The league has not had an expansion team since 2008 when the Atlanta Dream was added. In 2018, the San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas and changed their name to Aces. At its height, the league had 16 teams, one of which being the Sacramento Monarchs.
The Monarchs won a championship in 2005 but unfortunately were out of the league by 2009.
Warriors close to bringing an expansion WNBA team to the Bay, per multiple sources.
Deal isn’t done but if Warriors get the nod, the W franchise will be based in Oakland and play games at Chase Center. https://t.co/fRaRsIUvbr pic.twitter.com/2aTJnWTXUx
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) September 27, 2023
Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
