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…
