MGM Resorts Could Be Buyer of WNBA’s San Antonio Stars

By Scott Roeben, on October 15 2017
1 min read 7 comments
Las Vegas

Talk about a mixed metaphor. This one came out of left field, but we’re hearing a rumor MGM Resorts could be the buyer of the WNBA’s San Antonio Stars.

ESPN was the first to report the San Antonio Stars have an agreement in place to relocate to Las Vegas (contingent upon NBA and WNBA approval), but the buyer has eluded the media.

Could it be MGM Resorts is the buyer? A source says “yes.” The source also says the team would play at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Las Vegas Strip.

San Antonia Stars
The Stars originally played in Utah and were called the Starzz, the grammatical equivalent of jazz hands.

Granted, it would be a strange for a casino company to own a professional sports team. But here’s the thing. MGM Resorts has made a concerted effort to shift away from being a “casino company” (declining revenue gave them a nudge) and the company now markets itself as an “entertainment company.”

That’s right, some people actually find sports entertaining.

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren has said he and the company were actively seeking an NBA team. They were only off by one letter. The “w.” Please try and keep up.

The San Antonio Stars had the WNBA’s worst record for the past three seasons, so a buyer could probably get them for a song.

Here’s the announcement about the San Antonio Stars relocation.

Like it or not, Las Vegas is quickly becoming a sports town, and the purchase of a WMBA team by MGM Resorts could keep the rally going.

Update (10/17/17): Our story has been officially confirmed. The move has been approved by the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors, and the team will begin playing in Las Vegas starting in May 2018.