The WNBA announced that a new expansion team will be coming to San Francisco in 2025. The team will play at the Chase Center and be operated by Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and the Warriors organization. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed the news in a press conference at the Chase Center, accompanied by Mayor London Breed, Lacob, and Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer.
Lacob expressed confidence in the team's success, stating that they will win a WNBA championship within the first five years.
The team may be named "Golden State" like the Warriors or have a different name. The WNBA is expected to add another expansion team in 2025 as well. While the team will play at the Chase Center, its headquarters will be in Oakland, following a similar model to the Warriors' men's team. San Francisco is also being considered as the host city for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which could serve as a promotional event for the new WNBA team. The WNBA Finals are set to begin on Sunday, October 8, featuring the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty.
