21 years after the league’s inception, the Madison Square Garden Company plans to sell the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
It was announced on Tuesday that the New York Liberty are being sold by the Madison Square Garden Company.
The Madison Square Garden Company Announces Intention to Sell New York Liberty
Full Release: https://t.co/nSP1Hz3m9x pic.twitter.com/gzAbdloOHo— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) November 14, 2017
The Garden is actively looking for a buyer who will take over team operations immediately.
“We have been a strong and vocal advocate for the Liberty and the WNBA since the beginning. As the last original owner, I am proud of how far the league has come, and the role we have played in its growth,” MSG executive chairman/CEO and New York Knicks owner James Dolan said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision for us, which we made after carefully assessing the needs of our business. We are confident that new ownership can build on the foundation we established over these last 21 years, and steward this incredible franchise into an even more successful future.”
The Liberty, one of the eight original WNBA franchises, have played at MSG since 1997. They have made the playoffs 15 times and won four conference championships, but haven’t won a WNBA title in 21 seasons.
“The Liberty is a WNBA original with a history of great players and fans,” Lisa Borders, WNBA president, said in a statement, via Mike Rose of Newsday. “We thank MSG for its 21 seasons supporting the growth of women’s basketball and appreciate its dedication to find a new ownership group to build on the team’s successes for many seasons to come.”
It is unknown whether the Liberty will stay in New York or not. If someone who isn’t affiliated with the NBA buys the Liberty, then the WNBA will have 12 independent teams.
