In a significant move for Boston sports, minority owner of the Celtics, Steve Pagliuca, has committed to investing $100 million toward a new practice facility for a potential WNBA team in the city. While this investment indicates a serious interest in bringing a women’s professional basketball franchise to Boston, the city currently faces challenges in the expansion process.
In the meantime, Boston hasn’t officially submitted any formal applications for a WNBA team. Now the league’s expansion plans have taken a different direction. They’ve focused on rewarding cities that went the extra mile in the first round of the application process. Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia can’t wait to invite expansion franchises over the next five seasons. In the meantime, Boston will have to bide its turn to be a finalist again in future years.
No applicants from Boston had responded to the call for a team by that deadline. Consequently, cities that did apply are still being actively considered and take precedence over Boston because of their years of progress in the expansion process,” said a WNBA representative. The Celtics’ would-be ownership group has reached out to the league. They’re looking to ensure that Boston is at the front of the line whenever a franchise next becomes available.
As Boston figures out its way forward toward possible expansion, the WNBA has already seen some high-profile, historic changes within its current teams. The Connecticut franchise is historically notable, as it was the first franchise owned by a non-NBA owner and the first to operate in the black. Today, the team trains only at a casino arena or at a local community center. After going a long way last season, Connecticut has struggled this season. With a 5-21 record, they are in dead last in the league’s standings.
The Connecticut team just started contacting season-ticket holders earlier this week. They promised fans that, next year, they too will be old hands at the new venue. This stability couldn’t be further removed from the turmoil the squad was dealt. Most notably, that starting five were broken up by free agency and trades, resulting in their recent fall from grace.
Aside from Pagliuca’s suggested investment, it’s important to mention that expansion teams have been building record-breaking franchise fees. Each of the new franchises has paid a then-record $250 million expansion fee. By contrast, Mark Davis bought the Las Vegas Aces for about $2 million.
Now Boston’s hopes rest on future decisions from league officials. Yet, ultimately, the WNBA Board of Governors continues to hold the final say over any team relocation and league expansion approvals. “Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams,” emphasized the league.
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