A WNBA team has been sold – no, not THAT WNBA team.
While the WNBA family waits and sees if Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler will or will not sell the Atlanta Dream, another transaction involving a W team has been complete.
Mark Davis, the owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders has completed a deal to purchase the Las Vegas Aces from MGM Resorts International. The deal is pending approval by the WNBA’s Board of Governors.
The following was announced by the @LVAces pic.twitter.com/pSO1Cwu2SO
— WNBA (@WNBA) January 14, 2021
We look forward to continuing our enthusiastic support of the Las Vegas Aces and basketball in Las Vegas. https://t.co/90deRefWal pic.twitter.com/DRN5AzO2to
— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) January 14, 2021
Three years ago, MGM Resorts International purchased the San Antonio Stars and moved the team from the Alamo City to Las Vegas.
The relocated franchise then debuted a new identity – the Las Vegas Aces in a much-ballyhooed press conference that was pure Las Vegas.
Introducing the Las Vegas Aces! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/Fu6rhtwi0H
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 11, 2017
We’re going ALL IN on the @WNBA! Welcome home, @LVACES. #LVACES pic.twitter.com/C7rMohHzx7
— Mandalay Bay Resort (@MandalayBay) December 11, 2017
Get ready to watch the @LVAces work! #WatchMeWork
🗣 @WNBAPrez pic.twitter.com/fLN7osFAbH
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 11, 2017
Since then, the Aces have been a team on the rise. With former New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer at the helm and an all-star cast of characters that includes 2018 first overall draft pick (and last season’s MVP) A’ja Wilson, Liz Cambage and Angel McCoughtry, Las Vegas has gone from the doldrums of the latter Stars years to one of the best teams in the WNBA.
The Aces nearly made the playoffs in 2018 after an eight-win season in 2017 in its last season in San Antonio. Las Vegas then traded for Cambage prior to the 2019 season and advanced to the semifinals with the Washington Mystics.
This helped in those efforts. Hide your eyes, Chicago Sky fans.
On this day: @LVAces faced the @chicagosky in the second round of the 2019 #WNBAPlayoffs.
With 5 seconds remaining, @dearicamarie drilled a game-winning 3 from 35 feet away 😱
The “Hamby Heave” has gone down as one of the most memorable moments in #WNBA history. pic.twitter.com/pIM2NZl9Ol
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 15, 2020
The Aces, last season in the bubble at IMG Academy, made it to the Finals with the Seattle Storm.
Las Vegas also hosted the 2019 All-Star Game at Mandalay Bay Events Center – one where we at Beyond The W were all over.
From Downtown Las Vegas!@kaymac_2123 | #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Hfexccs0Up
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 27, 2019
Our forever mood@ecambage | #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/u5lfkH10NP
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 27, 2019
Team Wilson poured in a #WNBAAllStar record 21 threes today! 😮👏@ATT #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/0fVvKp0Mqg
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 27, 2019
.@EWeezy_For3eezy caps off her incredible game with a three to seal the deal! 💰 @ATT #WNBAAllStar
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/aQ5MKWoaCY
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 27, 2019
