The WNBA recently confirmed that the Golden State Warriors, renowned for their success in the NBA, have been approved as an expansion franchise, set to debut in the 2025 season. The addition of the Bay Area franchise marks the first expansion of the WNBA since 2008 when the Atlanta Dream joined the league, and is a testament to the league's growing popularity and the demand for women's professional basketball.
ICYMI: After announcing a new Bay Area team on Thursday, the WNBA is also still in the process of adding a second expansion franchise in Portland.
More ⤵️https://t.co/rvwKpYEc9x— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 6, 2023
The Warriors, who ranked first in Forbes' recent NBA valuations at a staggering $7 billion, are determined to replicate their NBA success in the WNBA. The organization, led by Warriors chairman Joe Lacob, is committed to not only winning but also fostering the growth of women's basketball. Lacob expressed, "We're going to bring all of our resources. We can put this machine to work, and we're going to do that." This commitment is poised to make the Bay Area a prominent hub for women's basketball.
The new team will play its home games at the Chase Center in San Francisco, and the franchise will be headquartered in Oakland, California, a nod to the Warriors' former facility location. This strategic choice capitalizes on the Bay Area's passionate basketball fan base; interest in the team skyrocketed immediately after the announcement. The Warriors began accepting deposits for season tickets for the new team, receiving a staggering 2,000 deposits in just the first five hours.
WNBA Expansion‼️‼️ 2025 LOADING…
GoldenState x WNBA 🔥🔥🔥#WNBATwitter #WNBAExpansion pic.twitter.com/UHuG3ijApN— Her Moment Network (@realhermoment) October 5, 2023
Lacob has ambitious plans for the new franchise, envisioning it as a revenue leader in the WNBA. He stated,
"I believe we'll have the No. 1 revenue of any WNBA team."
With the backing of the Warriors' business structure and the state-of-the-art Chase Center as their home court, these aspirations seem well within reach. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert also expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled about expanding to the Bay Area and bringing the WNBA to a region with passionate basketball fans and a strong history of supporting women’s basketball."
For Joe Lacob, this expansion venture represents a full-circle moment that took nearly 25 years to materialize. His passion for women's basketball, combined with the Warriors' vast resources and commitment to success, bodes well for the future of the Bay Area's WNBA franchise. As they prepare to step onto the court in 2025, the Golden State Warriors are poised to make a significant impact in the world of women's sports.
