Denver Investors Pursue WNBA Arena for New Expansion Team
As excitement surrounds women's basketball, fans have united at Lady Justice Brewing to cheer on their favorite teams during March Madness. Denver is reportedly among a select group of cities vying for a new WNBA expansion team as the league gears up for growth.
The WNBA is in expansion mode, with the upcoming addition of two teams in Toronto and Portland, set to debut in the 2026 season. The league is now actively seeking a 16th team, with plans for it to join by 2028, leading to intensified competition among potential cities.
Recent reports indicate that nine contenders are in the running, including a consortium from Denver. Previously, sources mentioned that the influential Dimond family is part of the Denver bid. Navin Dimond, founder of Stonebridge Companies, and his daughter Ashley have confirmed their ambition to construct a new arena for the team should their bid succeed.
In addition to the Dimond family, Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta and sponsor of the Denver Nuggets, has also joined the pursuit of the WNBA franchise. His involvement underscores the increasing interest in bringing a professional women's basketball team to the Mile High City.
In August 2023, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert visited Denver, meeting with the office of Mayor Mike Johnston and local investors, including Rob Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial Group. Cohen is also an investor in Denver's new NWSL team, highlighting his commitment to the area’s growing professional sports landscape. However, the specifics of his continued involvement in the WNBA bid remain uncertain.
Securing a franchise could come at a hefty price for Denver, as reported fees for the Toronto and Portland expansion teams have exceeded $100 million each, significantly more than the expansion fee for the Golden State Valkyries in 2023.
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