Report: WNBA franchise could be headed to the Bay Area

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

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