According to multiple sources, it is reported that the New York Liberty will stay in the NYC area and will call the Westchester County Center their new home. The 5,000-seat arena is a quick drive from the team training facility, close to downtown White Plains, and accessible by train or car. It is also already home to Knicks G-League franchise, the Westchester Knicks.
Just weeks ago, guard Shavonte Zealous provided a glimpse into the team’s future when she posted on social media that the team will remain in New York regardless of ownership (the post has since been taken down). That narrowed down the list of potential new homes to Westchester, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, or Prudential Center in Newark (where they played for three seasons while MSG underwent renovations). Her post also served as the only piece of information that most have heard since MSG announced they were selling the franchise this past fall.
The reasons behind their choice to use this facility can be for a number of reasons. For one, it probaby will save the league a ton of money when it comes to rent, because it is no secret that the cost of renting any of the major arenas (especially in New York City) per game can be astronomical. Another reason could be the approach used by some teams like the Dallas Wings, where playing in a smaller space means more sold-out crowds and a more intimate setting for their fans.
There is still no word yet on who the new owner(s) will be, but surely this info can serve as a sigh of relief for their core fans in the tri-state area. Hopefully the front office will make an official announcement VERY soon.
Story developing…..
UPDATE
After our story was originally posted, further information has since been released. The Associated Press confirmed through MSG executives that the Liberty will continue to be owned and operated by MSG this season while they continue to shop the team. Most of their games will be played at the Westchester County Center, and a few will take place at MSG. “While we have had numerous interested parties, we are going to continue to operate the team until we identify the right new owner to steward this valuable New York franchise,” MSG president Andy Lustgarten told the Associated Press. “We will have more to share soon.”
