Kevin Durant and Fran Harris Lead Effort to Bring WNBA to Austin

Kevin Durant and Fran Harris Lead Effort to Bring WNBA to Austin

November 12, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

Effort to Bring WNBA to Austin

Fran Harris, a former Texas Longhorns star and WNBA player, is leading the effort to bring a WNBA expansion franchise to Austin, Texas. Harris, who led the women’s basketball team to its first and only national championship in 1986, has been working on Austin’s submission packet and raising capital to position the city as a suitable location for the WNBA.

Fran Harris’s Involvement:

  • Background: Harris was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year in the 1984-85 season and was team MVP of the 1985-86 squad, which became the first women’s college basketball team to go undefeated and win the NCAA title[4].
  • Current Efforts: Harris has been raising funds and working on Austin’s bid to join the WNBA, highlighting the city’s advantages such as location, corporate partners, and community support for women’s basketball[4].

Austin’s Potential:

  • Community Support: Austin has shown support for women’s basketball through dedicated fan groups and sell-out games hosted by local teams like the University of Texas women’s basketball team[4].
  • Local Sports Growth: The city has experienced growth in professional sports, particularly with Austin FC’s success in MLS and the Spurs expanding their presence in the area through sold-out games at the Moody Center[4].

Challenges:

  • Financial Considerations: The expansion fee is expected to be around $200 million, and Harris is actively seeking investors to cover this cost[4].

Kevin Durant’s Involvement

Kevin Durant is potentially part of an ownership group pursuing a WNBA expansion team in Austin. His involvement could bring significant star power and financial backing to the city’s bid for a WNBA franchise[3].

Summary

Fran Harris is leading an effort to bring the WNBA to Austin, leveraging her basketball background and community support to prepare the city for consideration. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is also involved in the potential ownership of an Austin WNBA team, adding another strong influencer to the bid.

Key Points

  • Fran Harris’s Campaign: Harris is actively working on Austin’s bid for a WNBA team, emphasizing the city’s strengths and securing financial support.
  • Kevin Durant’s Potential Involvement: Kevin Durant is potentially part of an ownership group looking to bring a WNBA team to Austin, contributing star power and financial resources.

This balanced effort between Harris’s community outreach and potential investment from Kevin Durant positions Austin as a strong candidate for an eventual WNBA expansion.