The owners of the WNBA have approved Tom Brady’s bid to acquire a part of a team at the WNBA. This made him the first NFL icon to enter the realm of women’s professional basketball. This is a huge step forward not only for Brady but also for the WNBA, showcasing the developing synergy between sports stars and women’s basketball.
The WNBA is also preparing for a big transition as it looks to grow, marking an important point in the league’s history. This big transition has the WNBA star Angel Reese excited.
Angel Reese is excited for what’s next in the WNBA
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Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been an outspoken supporter of expansion. She has been?highlighting the league’s goal to give more chances for athletes while also creating a more vibrant and competitive environment. The league now allows a maximum of 144 players between its 12 clubs, with some teams limited to 11 players owing to wage ceiling limits. With no comparable to the NBA’s G-League, rookies have few?opportunities to gain team places. This?makes?it a very?difficult road for budding talent.
Only a small percentage of players, 32.5% will participate in more than 10 games in their second year, underscoring the need for more teams. Engelbert, on the other hand, has remained steadfast in her dedication to a methodical expansion process. She recognizes the necessity of finding proper ownership groups, adequate stadiums, and supporting towns. Since that is more important than just growing the number of teams. Hence, her growth ambition strengthens the league’s base while elevating the level of women’s basketball.
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So, the WNBA social media page put up a video hinting at an expansion of their division. The video has been captioned with the number “10.5“, which could indicate a date, like October 5th. This video was shared by WNBA star Angel Reese on her Instagram Stories with the caption, “yes yes yes“. This shows how excited she is about the expansion of the league and to face some new opponents. And as the WNBA expands, NFL star Tom Brady recently purchased an ownership stake in the WNBA team, Las Vegas Aces.
Retired NFL star making moves in the WNBA
Tom Brady’s participation with the Aces was originally revealed on March 23rd, 2022. That is when he declared that he had purchased a minority stake in the team. Initially, the specifics of the transaction were undisclosed.
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However, it was widely assumed that league approval would be a formality due to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s favorable reaction to the acquisition. Brady’s involvement in the WNBA is more than a financial transaction; it demonstrates his sincere love of women’s sports.
Throughout his career, he achieved an impressive feat of winning seven Super Bowls. That has cemented his status as a legendary figure in the NFL. Six of them with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recalls warmly his early exposure to women’s athletics, when he used to watch his elder sisters’ games, believing them to be the finest athletes in the family. Their accomplishments inspired him, and he developed a lifetime respect for women’s sports as a result.
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Las Vegas Aces prepares for the next championship against New York Liberty, aiming to replicate previous success. The inclusion of Tom Brady in the Aces family has given an extra layer of excitement and expectation to the team’s journey. This new chapter in the WNBA’s history demonstrates the league’s growing recognition and potential for even greater success.
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