[Source](https://theathletic.com/4902855/2023/09/26/warriors-wnba-bay-area/?source=emp_shared_article)
>The Golden State Warriors are close to bringing a WNBA franchise to the Bay Area, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the deal.
>The deal is not completed, sources stressed, as several details still need to be worked out. But if finalized, the franchise will play its games at Chase Center and be headquartered in Oakland at the team’s practice facility, which the organization still owns and uses to maintain a presence in the community. An announcement could come as soon as early October.
>Owning a WNBA franchise would be a full circle moment for Warriors owner Joe Lacob, who has long been a supporter of American women’s basketball. A pioneer even. He was integral in the establishment of the American Basketball League, which started play in the fall of 1996. Lacob was owner of the San Jose Lasers, led by Stanford star Jennifer Azzi and Sheri Sam. But the WNBA started playing in June of 1997. By December of 1998, the ABL folded. That was the last time the Bay Area had a women’s professional team.
> The WNBA has been talking about expansion for the last couple of years. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in May that she would like to add one or two teams by 2025. The Bay Area is a natural for expansion consideration because of the women’s basketball fervor in these parts.
>The Warriors have the capital, a new arena and the reputation. Using the Chase Center for the new WNBA team is a major appeal as it allows the ownership group year-round control of scheduling the arena. When a deal is reached, it must still be approved by the WNBA Board of Governors.
On a somewhat related/unrelated note, based on the WNBA-focused people I follow, I believe there’s a possibility that Denver will be another city to get a WNBA team (but that’s not exactly confirmed)
by NokCha_
19 Comments
Is there enough fan base and or financial upside to expansion for a wnba team? I thought they weren’t doing good last few years.
What’s the female version of a Warrior
WNBA FANS ARE HYPED!!! ALL 8 OF THEM
First and most important, awesome.
Second, they do realize Oakland is absolutely cursed for sport teams right? How long before they too go to Vegas?
West Warriors, East Raptors as expansion teams? Toronto game turn out was packed
Even the WNBA wants nothing to do with the coliseum site they should really knock down oracle arena and redevelop the whole thing at this point.
Finally, I’ve never understood why we haven’t had one. I’d love to get into the WNBA more but I don’t like picking teams for no reason to root for.
A league losing money is expanding, I’m not hating it’s just funny lol
Aces will wash
This would be such good timing with Steph still there for some cross promotion, and the 24/25 draft class is supposed to be stacked with big names although that also depends on who will stay for another year.
If warriors is for the men’s team, the women’s team is Amazons?
We’re playing fast and loose with the term “franchise”.
pretty solid spot for women’s ball over here
The WNBA is expanding and isn’t bringing the Comets back? Lame.
Golden State Valkyries
Don’t call them the San Francisco Heroines.
The Silicon Valley Amazons
when are the monarchs coming back
Holy shit let’s go, I’ve honestly had a hard time connecting to WNBA teams cause there’s none here, I’m super excited about this