I was surprised that the pod treated the Shock bid like a forgone conclusion. There is one expansion slot (2028) available and 10+ cities bid for it. WNBA is focusing on sustainable growth and if Detroit's bid isn't selected there's no telling when the next expansion round would be.
I don't buy the "sustainable growth" thing by anyone when the dollars start ramping up. It almost ALWAYS goes out the door, in business they want the bucks in.
The thing about the WNBA is that the dollars aren't necessarily there. Would love the Shock back, but these bids for the next expansion are speculatory bets on the future of the league, not an investment in a product churning out money.
It's not just a WNBA thing, many of the biggest soccer teams operate in the red as well. Manchester United is one of the biggest sports brands on earth and they lost about $140m last year
Comments
1. Not price out potential fan base.
2. Create rowdy, intimate arena atmosphere by blacking out all/part of upper ring.
… Maybe the hype will be so big that they’ll fill LCA, but why not take small steps to long term success.
Jer / @saintsdw.bsky.social thoughts?