RebKell's Junkie Boards

[stever]

http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/WNBA-team-on-Warriors-radar-once-new-arena-is-12380331.php#photo-14587922

[myrtle]

Hopefully the Cow Palace is not really in the mix. That would be beyond gross. The facility is ancient and you can't get there on BART so it's just shooting yourself in the foot. I don't know how Chase is configured but it seems like it would be better to just close off part of the seating if they're worried about lack of audience.

I guess Civic would be ok to start with, then move up to Chase if they get enough fans, or at least use it for 'big' games like vs LA.

But at least they're talking about it.

_________________
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if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
- Amanda Gorman

[toad455]

It's very good it's being talked about. Don't see why they can't play at Chase Arena. Even at 50% capacity would be good for them.

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[Randy]

If they aren't locked into Chase Arena, no reason they couldn't get a team before it is ready. I don't buy that they are too busy building the new arena.

[ClayK]

Both the Cow Palace and the Civic Auditorium are horrible venues for basketball because of the design and age of the arenas.

When Rick Welts, the president, was hesitant about a WNBA playing at Chase, that was not good news. San Francisco itself (as opposed to the Bay Area) has always had an arena problem, and not just for sports, and given the major traffic issues that have gotten worse in recent years, getting there is an issue. (We live about 25 miles from SF, and drove into the City to visit two museums and go to lunch. We left about 3:20, and it took 90 minutes to get home. We could have driven to Sacramento with time to spare in the same amount of time.)

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Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā

[Richyyy]

If the owners of the new arena also owned the new team, it would seem bizarre to rent out somewhere else to play. Practically every arena can curtain off a top tier of seats to reduce capacity to something more suitable if necessary.

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Independent WNBA coverage: http://www.wnbalien.com/

[PRballer]

I had no idea about Azzi being such a cog here for a franchise or that she was involved in the 2010 discussion about the Monarchs...

[Randy]

Starting to wonder if Lacob is really that serious about a WNBA team. This Lacob wants into the WNBA story has been around for since at least 2012. Since then 2 teams have been sold and now a 3rd is available. Also, seems like it is taking a really long time to get that new arena built. We built two big stadiums in the past year or two.

https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2012/10/4/3453280/golden-state-warriors-wnba-bay-area-kirk-lacob

[myrtle]

[tfan]

[awhom111]

The expectation that there would be a WNBA team was the reason that I was in favor of this arena and much more in favor of their original location, which was more accessible. That said, we definitely need an arena because we have to be the biggest city in the United States if not the entire world that does not have an arena (the Cow Palace is technically just outside city limits).

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is actually an auditorium so it really can't host modern day basketball. Even after renovations, War Memorial is essentially a gymnasium so that's out of the question even though it would be very convenient for me. The new arena would generally be an hour each way for me from this side of the city. As myrtle mentioned about space and politics, I am actually still shocked that this arena is likely to be built. Every inch of this city that can legally accommodate housing is being earmarked for that.

I wonder if this is possibly a setup for Lacob and some different ownership group eventually setting up outside the city. Cal could probably use any money and rent out Haas while Maples seems less likely. Both of those places will probably be closer to a larger portion of the potential fanbase. The new arena location is not particularly accessible to people coming from outside the city which is important since a relatively large percentage of residents are not really into sports or any kind. The Giants draw heavily from outside the city and the 49ers did too, which is why there was basically no outrage when they moved.

Remember that Lacob is only a part of the ownership group of the Warriors even though he is the public face. Other owners may not be as enthusiastic as him, especially with the uncertainty of upcoming costs for construction, which will almost certainly be above estimates and luxury tax for the Warriors. It is not as toxic a situation as Vivek Ranadive has with the rest of the Kings' ownership group, which is probably an obstacle for a WNBA in Sacramento in the near future, but any disagreement is likely to slow talk of a new for a while.

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https://wbasketballblog.com/author/awhom111/

[josephkramer44]

[ClayK]

From my perspective, there is no doubt that the Warriors are all-in for their new arena. They have patiently navigated the treacherous waters of San Francisco politics, dropped their original site and settled on one more acceptable to the powers that be, and have never publicly wavered from their commitment.

And should the arena be built, as awhom points out, it will be the only arena in SF and thus positioned to do well in the competition with Oracle (Oakland) and SAP (San Jose).

That said, the complexity of the process -- not to mention the construction itself -- will take up a lot of administrative time and energy, and that's the ostensible reason for not pursuing a WNBA team. And when Welts said the new arena might not be suitable to the WNBA, to me that was a major red flag because that seemed like the most likely justification for the Warriors to buy a team.

In short, I don't see Joe Lacob as the white knight, at least right now.

_________________
Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā

[Nixtreefan]

Really don't care where they play as long as they get a team here

[toad455]

[Nixtreefan]

I will drink to that Could make the Houston games also.

[Shades]

Will the Warriors arena situation be significantly different than what is happening with MSG?

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Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

[ClayK]

[calbearman76]

The situation in the Bay Area has some similarities to New York, but more differences. The big similarity is the lack of a suitable sized (10,000-12,000 seat facility.) But the much bigger difference is the way people move around. Californians are, for the most part, slaves to their cars.

I actually believe the ideal facility for a WNBA team would be the Oracle Arena, where the Warriors currently play. It is conveniently located along freeway access for drivers in the East Bay and towards San Jose. It also has a BART station. And once Chase opens Oracle will seriously need dates to be filled. They can block off the top level and have a reasonable sized arena. The only issue is whether Oakland and Lacob have seriously bruised feelings over the Warriors leaving.

[ClayK]

[tfan]

Wikipedia only says the Warriors arena is privately financed. It also says that there will be office and retail space as part of the project so I don't know if the Warriors are the owners.

This will be the first NBA arena with "broad use" of Personal Seat Licenses (the Toronto Raptors have PSLs for a small number of seats). The Warriors are putting in a stipulation that the PSL's cannot be sold for a profit in the future.But you get your money back in 30 years if you hang onto them. That PSL refund may signify that the Warriors are the arena owners.

[Randy]

Personal Seat Licenses. I guess it is a sign that a team or sport has reached the pinnacle of success - they can charge a fan twice to see the same game. At some point, fans should wake up and realize the view is really better in your living room with a big screen TV (which will cost a lot less than Season Tickets+PSL.)

[myrtle]

[ClayK]

[ArtBest23]