A couple of days ago, the WNBA teased a video on social media alluding to a new team franchise joining the League.
As soon as the video was posted, the comments rolled in with speculation of a new team being added and where that team would be headquartered. From “Toronto would love to have a WNBA team,” to “Bring the Shock back to Detroit,” the news was clearly met with excitement and anticipation.
The post’s caption simply said, “10.5,” which led many to believe the news would be revealed on the 5th. Well, yesterday came, and with it came the big reveal. The WNBA is coming to the Bay Area!
The seven-time NBA Champion, Golden State Warriors, have been awarded a WNBA expansion team that will begin play in the 2025 season. Announced by WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, the new team will be owned and operated by Warriors Co-Executive Chairman, Joe Lacob, and Co-Executive Chairman, Peter Guber. The team is expected to play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco while Golden State’s Oakland Facility will serve as the team’s HQ, housing a world-class practice facility and front office.
“The Bay Area is the perfect market for a WNBA team, and we are thrilled this opportunity has finally come to fruition,” said Warriors Co-Executive Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob. “We have been interested in a WNBA franchise for several years, due in part to the rich history of women’s basketball in the Bay Area, and believe now is the ideal time to execute that vision and build upon the legacy. The WNBA continues to solidify itself as the preeminent women’s professional basketball league, and we look forward to supporting the best women’s basketball players in the world and our team starting in 2025.”
The growing popularity of the WNBA and its franchises has been quite refreshing to witness firsthand. The League’s expansion, in my opinion, negates the dated assumption that “nobody watches the WNBA.” Clearly, WE DO!
