Home/WNBA

via Imago

via Imago

Earlier, in a shocking news, 3x WNBA champion, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball, ending her 16-year illustrious career. Known as ‘Ace’, the former Las Vegas Aces superstar took to Instagram and posted a long note announcing her departure from the beautiful game.

She wrote, “I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.” 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Interestingly, in her retirement note, she briefly mentioned owning an NBA or WNBA team, saying, “I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team).” Notably, it’s plausible that she could target the rumored Las Vegas NBA team, given her association with the Aces for the past couple of years.

On the other hand, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James showed their interest in owning the Las Vegas team. Earlier, James publically announced his interest in owning the NBA’s rumored expansion team in Las Vegas. Later, Shaq also talked about following James’ ownership group in Vegas. The ex-Lakers star said, “If there’s ever an NBA team that’s going to come here, I would definitely like to be involved… With LeBron, without LeBron, I just want to be involved.” 

USA Today via Reuters

It is worth mentioning that Parker previously appeared on ‘The Big Podcast’ episode, where Shaq compared the ex-WNBA star with his 3 daughters. He said, “Candace reminds me of all my daughters, they’re beautiful, but they just boss me around.” The big Fella’s parental instinct amused Parker, as she started blushing. Now, it seems like she might have to go against her father figure in Shaq to own an NBA team, possibly in Las Vegas.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Candace Parker, Shaq, and LeBron’s dream is in Adam Silver’s hands

Back in February, NBA commissioner Adam Silver appeared on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’, where he talked about the NBA expansion. However, he made it clear that he wants to focus on the NBA’s media rights at the moment, and then he will solely focus on the expansion. Currently, Silver has 1 more year left on a 9-year $24 billion media deal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

Notably, it makes sense for the NBA to expand a team in Las Vegas. Apart from being a great tourist spot, they already have a successful WNBA franchise, the Aces, who won the last championship. Silver also mentioned a few other names, like Seattle, Vancouver, Nashville, and more, for a possible expansion. Certainly, the future of Shaq, LeBron, and Parker is in the NBA commissioner’s hands. Will we see at least one of them being an NBA owner? let us know in the comments.