The WNBA will soon call the Bay Area home, but where will their fans go?

Witness the passionate commitment of Bay Area’s WNBA fans as they search for a sports bar where they can cheer for their favorite teams. Unlike Golden State Warriors fans, who have no trouble finding like-minded NBA enthusiasts, WNBA fans face challenges in locating a gathering spot to watch games, as they are a minority within the population.

Elyse Widin, one of the dedicated fans, expressed frustration at the need for the community to organize itself, highlighting the difficulties faced in finding a bar that would even turn on closed captions to provide a better viewing experience. With no home team to rally behind, these fans yearn for a specific “hub” that can foster a sense of camaraderie and support for women’s basketball.

Hopes for a change in this scenario have been ignited by the recent announcement of an expansion team that will make its way to the Bay Area by 2025. Fans like Widin anticipate the emergence of a space where they can come together, vocalize their love for women’s sports, and create a stronger community.

Notably, the Bay Area has produced two top WNBA stars: Sabrina Ionescu, born in Walnut Creek, and Chelsea Gray, hailing from Hayward. The upcoming WNBA team in the Bay Area, scheduled to practice in Oakland and play games at the Chase Center in San Francisco, aligns with the region’s growing investment in women’s sports. In fact, dedicated women’s sports bars have already gained popularity in cities like Portland, Seattle, and the Twin Cities.

While a specific hub for Bay Area WNBA fans is yet to materialize, some sports bars are stepping in to fill the void. Rickey’s Sports Lounge in San Leandro, for instance, has received calls from patrons specifically inquiring about broadcasting WNBA games. The owner, Ramonn Smith, envisions the bar becoming a go-to destination for East Bay fans as the expansion team’s inaugural season approaches.

For Dana Harrell, a basketball enthusiast from Oakland, the desire for a strong WNBA presence in the region stems from the hope that it will inspire his young daughter to pursue the sport she loves. Elisabeth Long, another fan from Oakland, identifies the challenges faced by WNBA fans, including the fragmentation caused by multiple streaming apps and subscription services. Long believes that the lack of resources for WNBA fans may be attributed to the league’s predominantly Black and queer female composition.

Nevertheless, as excitement and support continue to grow around the future Bay Area team, Long envisions a common space where the local community, especially LGBTQ fans, can come together to celebrate women’s basketball. She emphasizes the importance of investing not only in the team but also in efforts to build a strong community around it.

With the upcoming arrival of a WNBA team in the Bay Area, the hope is that a dedicated hub for passionate WNBA fans will finally emerge, serving as a gathering place before and after games. The dedication and enthusiasm of these fans are undeniable, and with the right investments and support, the future of women’s basketball in the Bay Area looks bright.