Newest New York Liberty announcement places extra strain on Connecticut Solar

On Thursday, the New York Liberty introduced that the defending champions could be constructing an $80 million, 75,000 sq. foot state-of-the-art follow facility. The power, which is predicted to open forward of the 2027 season, might be in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and boast a slew of facilities, together with:

New York Liberty

1. Two full follow courts geared up with distant cameras and information monitoring expertise for on-court movie evaluation.
2. An out of doors basketball courtroom that enables for straightforward participant entry to go to and take part in clinics and to work together with the neighborhood.
3. Roof deck participant eating space that includes indoor and out of doors seating with skyline views and personal cooks
4. Two-story energy coaching room that’s each indoor and outdoor and features a cardio balcony deck overlooking the follow courts.
5. Full restoration suite that includes steam, sauna, therapeutic massage rooms, hydrotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, infrared, and red-light remedy.
6. In-house participant hair, nail, and make-up studio
7. Two personal household lounges, together with separate household and nursery areas.

Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones all supplied suggestions within the design course of.

“We’re a player-first group, and investing in well being and wellness has at all times been a precedence for us,” stated Liberty governor Clara Wu Tsai. “The New York Liberty deserve a facility of their very own: one which displays their large expertise, work ethic, and ambition. This facility is an indication of our dedication to the workforce, to town of New York, and to the development of girls’s sports activities.”

The Liberty’s announcement places strain on the Connecticut Solar, different franchises

Jones, who gained Finals MVP with the workforce final yr, praised the Liberty for his or her continued funding within the franchise.

“One of many principal issues that drew me to the New York Liberty group is the extent of funding in us as athletes,” she stated. “We simply gained a championship, and in the identical approach they anticipate us to stage up and step up our sport, our possession group and management continues to lift the bar, and this facility is an ideal instance of that. That is what makes our group nice and why it’s going to proceed to be related because the years go on.”

Jones’ feedback are a reminder that the Liberty’s announcement will put strain on different franchise to comply with swimsuit. The 2021 MVP was beforehand on the Connecticut Solar, however requested a commerce in 2023 and was despatched the Liberty.

Right this moment, the Solar are one of many solely WNBA groups with out a follow facility or official plans to construct one — a actuality that former star gamers like Alyssa Thomas have lamented. Whereas President Jen Rizzotti has expressed her confidence that every one franchises could have their very own amenities by 2028, the fact is that Connecticut nonetheless follow on the Mohegan Neighborhood and Authorities Heart, the place they’re typically deprioritized when different occasions come up.

“It’s regular at this level. I imply, Mohegan has to do higher,” Thomas instructed The Subsequent Hoops after the workforce needed to share their follow facility with a party through the postseason. “We’re knowledgeable workforce. We’re competing for the playoffs. And yeah, to should share your courtroom with a two-year-old[s] party. [It’s] the final word disrespect… We’d like extra, we’d like higher to compete on the highest stage.”

As franchises look to recruit free brokers shifting ahead, what sorts of facilities are provided will undoubtedly be an element. The Liberty, with their elaborate announcement, are serving to set a brand new normal that different franchises must compete with.