The WNBA plans to announce a new expansion team in the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, a person with direct knowledge of the addition told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the announcement was made. The news comes just days before the start of the most anticipated WNBA Finals in league history. between Las Vegas and New York on Sunday.
The team will begin play during the 2025 season, giving cities and ownership groups more than 18 months to prepare. The WNBA is also talking with other potential ownership groups about expanding into other cities.
Speculation about an expansion announcement began swirling Tuesday, when the The WNBA released a cryptic message on social media, suggesting there could be news soon. He teased the expansion with another social media post Wednesday morning.
League attempts to capitalize on growth wave of interest in women’s sport. THE The NWSL is growing at a rapid pace; NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman told The Washington Post in May that by 2026, the league expand to 16 teams, doubling their size since its debut in 2012.
In the meantime, Television viewership for the NCAA women’s tournament and the WNBA has soared in recent seasons, with millions of people watch a new generation talented. Before the 2023 World Cup this summer, players welcome increased investment in women’s sport.
In February 2022, Engelbert announced a capital increase of 75 million dollars, then the largest ever recorded in women’s sport. The money was to be used for branding and raising the brand image of the league.
The WNBA has not grown since 2008
It will be the first time in 15 years that the WNBA, now in its 27th season, has expanded. Atlanta was last added in 2008.
Only four franchises remain from the inaugural eight-team league launched in 1997 with financial backing from the NBA: The New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces (originally known as the Utah Starzz, and previously under different ownership). ). A handful of other expansion teams have started and folded over the life of the WNBA.
The Bay Area did not previously have a WNBA team, but was home to the San Jose Lasers, an American Basketball League franchise that was part of the other women’s professional league that lasted only two seasons, from 1996 to 1998.
The Warriors ownership group has been pushing for a WNBA team for years. The Athletic reported on September 26 that a deal was about to be made and, once finalized, would headquarters the team in Oakland – in the Warriors’ practice facility – and would play its games at Chase Center. Golden State owner Joe Lacob helped found the ABL in 1995 and owned the Lasers. The Bay Area is home to women’s college basketball powerhouse Stanford, which won the 2021 NCAA title. In April, the NWSL announced that Bay Area FC would begin play in 2024.
