Fresh off signing the largest contract in NBA history, valued at $315 million, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is making headlines with his ambitious plan to bring a WNBA franchise to his hometown of St. Louis.
Tatum’s vision for the franchise is rooted in his commitment to creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
To bolster his bid, Tatum has teamed up with prominent St. Louis business leaders Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. Their proposed home court would be the state-of-the-art Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University, providing an capable venue for what could become a new cornerstone of St. Louis sports culture. Per Sportico:
Tatum has informally agreed to invest in the team should it come to fruition and contribute behind the scenes to the group’s pitch, both to other potential big-name investors and the league itself, according to sources involved with the bid…
The bid does not yet have a formal structure, but the prospective ownership group is being co-led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman.
The timing of Tatum’s initiative is particularly significant, as recent changes in WNBA regulations now allow NBA players to take ownership stakes in teams. While numerous cities are vying for a WNBA expansion team, St. Louis stands our, due to its proven track record of supporting professional sports.
