When the WNBA offseason first commenced after the Minnesota Lynx won their fourth championship in seven years, there was much talk about what would dominate the offseason conversation.
Of course, trades, players heading overseas, and other business items on the WNBA’s agenda would be in the Monday morning watercooler talk, but no one until a few days ago expected we would be talking about the sale and relocation of a team.
Yet, that is what seems about to happen to the San Antonio Stars as they are being rumored by multiple outlets to be on the move out of the Alamo City and to Sin City – Las Vegas.
One of the players to share their thoughts on the upcoming move was Moriah Jefferson who posted this on her Instagram account.
Another was Dearica Hamby, who posted this on Twitter.
I’m so sorry San Antonio. ? loved every min of being there. Thank you for the unwavering support regardless of any situation.
— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) October 13, 2017
There was also this from Sequoia Holmes, who notably played her collegiate basketball at UNLV.
THANK YOU @SAStars & @spurs organizations for the resurgence of my WNBA career! & To the BEST FANS ever?, thank you for believing in me⭐️❤️ pic.twitter.com/jvmC3BHcRS
— SEQUOIA HOLMES (@S_Holmes17) October 15, 2017
As well as this from Sydney Colson, who hoped despite how heartbroken Stars fans may be that the fanbase in San Antonio would still support them in Las Vegas.
So grateful that the @SAStars gave me my way back into the W! I’ll miss the fans, love, & support in SA! Y’all root for us in Las Vegas!?❤️
— Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) October 14, 2017
In this phone interview that was conducted after the news became public, Kelsey Plum who is currently playing overseas in Turkey said she was stunned by the news of the Stars’ move.
I think everyone was shocked. Moriah [Jefferson] asked if we would all still be together.
That will happen. And Plum also sees an advantage of the move personally given her ties to Southern California.
My family and friends can get to more games. Getting to Texas wasn’t the easiest thing for them. Now, it’s a short flight or drive for them to come watch.
Since the initial news broke that the Stars would be on the move to Nevada, a flurry of news has become known about the move – including a report that Bill Laimbeer, currently the head coach of the New York Liberty, would assume the same post with the Las Vegas team.
Laimbeer will also be the team’s general manager in addition to head coach. Katie Smith, who was an assistant under Laimbeer, will be promoted to head coach of the Liberty.
As for Vickie Johnson, who would be leaving her post as Stars’ head coach upon the announcement of Laimbeer’s arrival, she expressed her heartbreak as she felt last season would have been a positive building block to establishing the Stars as contenders.
I felt like we laid the foundation this season, and I thought the only thing that was going to happen for the Stars is to go up and win championship after championship. I thought that this year was a building year to greatness.
Johnson has been involved with the Stars since the mid portion of the last decade as a player. As far as her future plans are concerned, she did hint that she was interested in the coaching vacancy left by Michael Cooper with the Atlanta Dream who are expecting Angel McCoughtry to return in 2018 from her one-year absence.
Atlanta is open and I’ll put my name in that hat. Hopefully that will pan out for me. I’m a teacher and I want these kids to be successful, be their best and develop as great players. I love this league. I love the W.
In addition to that news, information also became known about who the rumored purchaser could be of the Stars.
MGM Resorts could be buyer of #WNBA’s San Antonio Stars (Vital Vegas) https://t.co/dlzFNjLuq0
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) October 15, 2017
As was pointed out by ESPNW’s Mechelle Voepel…
MGM Resorts International has been the “rumor mill” leader since news of Stars sale broke. Company owns MGM Grand Garden Arena and … https://t.co/9Z9FxzN3ia
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) October 16, 2017
is 50% owner of T-Mobile Arena, w/Anschutz Entertainment Group owning other 50%. MGMRI also industry leader in diversity hires, initiatives.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) October 16, 2017
Involvement with WNBA would seem in line with other interests/initiatives of MGMRI.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) October 16, 2017
If it is T-Mobile Arena that will be the new venue to play home to the Stars, that would mean it would be home to an NHL team –the Golden Knights – as well as a WNBA franchise.
A similar setup could be on its way to Seattle with KeyArena – the Seattle Storm’s home venue – on the verge of being approved for a $660 million renovation by OakView Group and Tim Leiweke (who has connections to Madison Square Garden) to attract, first, the NHL and then the NBA.
Meaning in addition to the WNBA, it may not be long before the NBA has both Las Vegas and Seattle on its respective doppler radars.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
