Brooklyn Nets minority owner Joe Tsai recently purchased the team from James Dolan.
New York Liberty has a new team owner heading into the 2019 WNBA season.
The NBA Board of Governors and league unanimously approved the new franchise purchase. An investment group led by Brooklyn Nets minority owner Joe Tsai recently obtained the WNBA team.
“We are fortunate to welcome Joe Tsai to the WNBA family at a pivotal time for our league,” said WNBA interim president Mark Tatum said in a press release. We thank Jim Dolan and The Madison Square Garden Company for their incredible support of the WNBA over the past 22 years. And for their commitment to finding the right owner for the Liberty. As active participants in the New York community, Joe and his team are very well-positioned to take the Liberty to exciting new heights.”
.@WNBA Announces Sale of New York Liberty to Joe Tsai
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/jZUpPbFrou#ShowUp🗽 pic.twitter.com/PvQCfRtD89— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) January 23, 2019
So for the 2019 regular season, Liberty will continue to play in New York. But, the home arena will remain at the Westchester County Center. However, the players will play in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for Comm-UNITY Day to celebrate community, diversity, and inclusion.
“It is an honor and a privilege to join the Liberty and WNBA families,” said Mr. Tsai. “As one of New York’s proudest franchises, the Liberty has played a vital role in New York City over the past 22 years.”
Previous Liberty franchise owner James Dolan put the team up for sale back in November 2017. However, several potential deals fell through for different reasons.
“As the proud owner of the Liberty for the past 22 years, we are pleased that Joe Tsai will now guide the franchise with a commitment to serving its loyal and passionate fans in New York,” said Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Madison Square Garden Company. “We will always be Liberty fans and extend Joe and the entire WNBA our best wishes for future success.”
