Trying to fill a niche for women’s basketball fans, a Fort Collins group is exploring the idea of bringing a WNBA team to Denver for the 2008 season.
Triple Crown Sports said Thursday it has received permission from the women’s league, which is sponsored by the NBA, to pursue a team. According to Triple Crown CEO David King, the group has secured $11 million of the $15 million needed for franchise fees and operating capital. They have until Sept. 15 to get the full amount secured, but King says “we are well on our way.”
“There is still the possibility not to make it, but we’re very optimistic,” King said. “The league is very good at assuring people who are attempting things can deliver the goods.”
The WNBA had 14 teams last season and played a 34-game schedule from mid-May to mid-August. Triple Crown owned the Colorado Chill, which played three seasons (2004-06) in the now-defunct NWBL, and also owns and operates the women’s NIT.
King said the Pepsi Center would host most of the home games, with a few in another area venue, likely the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland.
“The shared home-court concept is unusual, but could really fit,” King said. “If we need the ability to go to 10,000, 11,000 or 12,000, we have that at the Pepsi Center. The league is supportive of the concept.”
King says the women’s basketball history at Colorado and Colorado State, plus the success of the Chill, helped solidify the idea to bring in the country’s best players.
“We’ve seen some good basketball,” King said. “But the talent in the WNBA is incredible.”
David Krause can be reached at 303-954-1893 or dkrause@denverpost.com.
