The defending WNBA champions are getting some new digs.
The New York Liberty have announced plans to build an $80 million practice facility projected to open in 2027. The training center, in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood, will be fully funded by the Liberty’s ownership group led by Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai. The couple, who bought the team in 2019, also own the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets along with the National Lacrosse League’s San Diego Seals and Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
Populous, a design practice specializing in pro sports facilities, collaborated with current Liberty players like Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart to create an environment that they believe prioritizes player performance and women-specific needs. The 75,000-square foot facility, which includes an in-house hair and makeup studio, will come equipped with private family lounges, a rooftop patio and other amenities.
The Liberty are the latest WNBA team to announce plans to build a standalone training facility. It’s part of an ongoing facility arms race as teams aim to lure free agents. The Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever have all announced plans for new practice facilities, while the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury have recently opened new training centers. Last month, Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti told Sportico that “there isn’t an owner in this league that doesn’t think that they will need a dedicated practice facility within the next two to three years to have a W team.”
The facilities race coincides with a pivotal time in the league as it ushers in an unprecedented wave of investment. Meanwhile, negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement need to be done before the 2026 season to avoid a work stoppage. Facilities are vital for future success as many All-Stars around the league, including Ionescu, are to set become free agents next year—right when the current CBA expires and the W sees an injection of new TV and sponsorship dollars.
The Tsai family has been at the forefront of player issues, with Joe Tsai has publicly campaigning for better travel accommodations for players. In 2022, the Liberty were fined a record $500,000 for chartering flights to away games, with the league citing competitive advantage. Last year, the WNBA phased in league-wide charter flights at an expected cost of roughly $25 million across two seasons.