Jayson Tatum Joins Effort to Establish WNBA Team in St. Louis
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics superstar and a decorated NBA champion, is stepping into the spotlight with a significant $200 million bid aimed at bringing a new WNBA team to his hometown of St. Louis. This ambitious proposal will see Tatum teaming up with billionaire investors Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. Chaifetz, known for his previous attempts to secure NBA, MLB, and NFL franchises, alongside Hoffman, who manages a minor league hockey team affiliated with the St. Louis Blues, brings a wealth of experience to the venture. One potential venue for the new team is the Chaifetz Arena at St. Louis University, named in honor of Richard Chaifetz himself.
The WNBA is gearing up for expansion, planning to introduce its 16th franchise by 2028. Several cities are vying for this coveted new team, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also involved in a proposal to bring a WNBA team to Kansas City. Notably, the owners of various NBA franchises, including the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers, are all making efforts to secure a team for their respective cities. Meanwhile, superstar Kevin Durant has placed a bid for his alma mater's city, Austin, Texas.
Among the most compelling bids is one from Nashville, Tennessee, championed by WNBA icon Candace Parker, NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, and NHL Predators owner Bill Haslam. Their vision includes naming the franchise the Tennessee Summit, in tribute to the late Pat Summitt, former coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team. Other cities like Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Denver are also in contention for a WNBA team.
St. Louis boasts a rich basketball legacy, having once hosted the St. Louis Hawks from 1956 until 1968 before the franchise relocated to Atlanta. The return of professional women’s basketball would not only bolster the city’s national profile but could also reinvigorate St. Louis's presence in the sports media landscape, significantly diminished since the NFL Rams left the city.
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