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USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The WNBA is growing in strength and stature with each passing year. It is the premier professional women’s basketball league in the United States. The league was founded in 1996 to promote women’s basketball and give talented players a chance to compete in a professional environment. The WNBA has produced some iconic players like Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, and Candace Parker in its brief history.
With interest growing in women’s sports quite significantly in recent years, the WNBA is looking to expand the number of teams in the league. The WNBA currently has twelve teams, and an NBA champion wants to bring the action to Oakland.
Warriors interested in Bringing WNBA Franchise to the Bay Area
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The Golden State Warriors have been the most successful NBA franchise in the last decade. Players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and many other great NBA talents have donned their jerseys. Warriors epitomize success in the sports industry. And it is only natural that they want to expand in the growing business of WNBA.
Joe Lacob, who’s the current owner of the Warriors, is all arms open, to welcome WNBA to play in the Warriors’ $1.4 Billion fortress, Chase Center. The last time a women’s basketball team played in the Bay Area was back in 1996. San Jose Lasers played in the American Basketball League and the owner of the team was none other than, Joe Lacob himself. Warriors’ interest in bringing the expansion team to the Bay Area was first reported by Athletics’ Marcus Thompson II. He also reported that the deal is still in the works.
The WNBA expansion team reportedly would be based in Oakland and play games at Chase Centerhttps://t.co/Ly5mRwq4Iz
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) September 27, 2023
The WNBA has grown substantially over the last couple of years. The WNBA had its most-watched regular season in 21 years. Viewership across its national television partners—ABC, CBS, ESPN, and ESPN2—was up 21 percent over the 2022 season.
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WNBA’s Immense Growth
The WNBA has really caught on in the US. Their viewership numbers are constantly going up with each passing season and the general population is more informed about the women’s game than ever before. In fact, The WNBA on ABC averaged 627,000 viewers, making it the most-viewed regular season on ABC in 11 years.
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USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The future also looks exciting for the WNBA and its fans as hyped players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are about to enter the WNBA fold. WNBA Draft 2023 averaged 572,000 viewers on ESPN, up 42 percent over last year and the most-watched WNBA Draft since 2004. Talented women players finally getting the recognition they deserve is truly encouraging to see and long may this continue.
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