Jayson Tatum is aiming to bring professional women’s basketball to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Tatum has backed a substantial bid to establish a WNBA franchise in the city as part of a possible league expansion. While his choice of St. Louis is understandable given his roots, it also stirred up an interesting debate of whether he should be more interested in getting a team to Boston. Regardless, the Jayson Tatum WNBA bid shows that he is dedicated to his hometown.
NBA Star Backs Substantial Bid For WNBA Expansion Team
Tatum WNBA Investment
The WNBA has been exploring expansion options for years, with new teams set to join the league in Golden State, Toronto, and Portland by 2026. A sixteenth team could be added as early as 2028.
Jayson Tatum is interested in placing a $200 million bid to have a WNBA team in St. Louis (per @Essence). 🔥
“Tatum has reportedly set his sights on a $200 million bid to bring a WNBA franchise to St. Louis – a decision that could reshape the landscape of women’s professional… pic.twitter.com/EHrdzYYsJS
— WNBACentral (@WNBACentral_) November 12, 2024
For Tatum, bringing a WNBA franchise to St. Louis is more than a business move. It’s a chance to give back to the community that he grew up in. Although he isn’t able to speak on the deal formally, Sportico’s Jacob Feldman reported,
“Tatum has informally agreed to invest in the team should it come to fruition and contribute behind the scenes to the group’s pitch, both to other potential big-name investors and the league itself, according to sources involved with the bid.”
St. Louis is a strong contender alongside other cities like Charlotte, Houston, and Miami. Tatum’s involvement, in collaboration with prominent investors such as Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman, strengthens St. Louis’s bid. Tatum is giving it a prominent advocate in an NBA superstar with deep ties to the city.
WNBA Expansion
The WNBA is riding a wave of increasing popularity. Attendance and viewership numbers are reaching new heights, partly due to the addition of new stars like Caitlin Clark. Arenas across the league are reporting increased capacity and record sellouts, signaling a demand for more teams and wider access to the league. The WNBA expansion aligns with this momentum.
Tatum’s bid could end up making history if it goes through. He would be the first active NBA player to own part of a WNBA franchise. His offer is enabled by a recent WNBA rule change allowing NBA players to invest directly in WNBA teams. This bid could pave the way for other NBA stars to support women’s sports through similar investments.
The Tatum WNBA Bid Shows Hometown Pride
St. Louis has a special significance to Tatum. The potential Tatum WNBA investment proposal is an ode to his past, as St. Louis is where he grew up before making his way to Duke and the NBA. Establishing a franchise there could tap into the city’s existing sports culture, which already supports teams in MLB, NHL and MLS.
If the WNBA expansion continues and Tatum’s bid wins, the city would gain its first major women’s professional sports team. The WNBA would also gain an advocate and partner in one of the NBA’s most influential players. Whether the new team ultimately takes root in St. Louis or somewhere else, Tatum’s willingness to support women’s basketball at this level speaks volumes.
