A WNBA Team Finally Comes to the Bay Area

In a momentous announcement for the women's basketball community, the Bay Area is finally getting its long-awaited WNBA team, thanks to the involvement of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. The Bay has been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced, with play set to begin in the 2025 season. This marks the first franchise addition to the WNBA since 2008. The team does not yet have a name.

This new team's ownership will fall under Warriors ownership under CEO Joe Lacob and Co-Executive Chairman Peter Guber. Basketball fans and new viewers alike can look forward to thrilling games at San Francisco's Chase Center, the state-of-the-art arena that's home to Warriors games and big-name concerts. Furthermore, the former Oakland Facility, which was the home of the Warriors between 1997 and 2019, will be revitalized as the WNBA team's headquarters, inclusive of a state-of-the-art practice facility.

The Bay Area has long been an empty spot for the WNBA, with its passionate sports fanbase that's always looking to root for a team. With the modern success of the WNBA with the help of star-studded teams like the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, it's natural to begin expanding the league into other big markets. California has a rich basketball history, in both professional and college athletics.

California already has one WNBA franchise, the Los Angeles Spark, a storied franchise in the league's history. The new team in the City by the Bay will look to make an immediate impact to match their cross-state rivals.

The Golden State Warriors, one of the NBA's most successful franchises in the past decade, aim to replicate their NBA success in the WNBA. Lacob boldly promised a WNBA championship within the first five years of this new franchise. If their NBA track record is anything to go by, this is a promise that might well be fulfilled and Bay Area fans will have more success to cheer for alongside the dominant Warriors and San Francisco 49ers.

As the Bay Area gears up to welcome its WNBA team, it's a great time to look for fun things to do around the city. WNBA games, like Warriors games, will be big events in the city. There are so many great things to do in San Francisco and historic neighborhoods to visit. The entire Bay Area is a vibrant location, perfect for a new sports franchise looking to set up roots and be an enticing part of people's entertainment diets.