Maryland congressman shows supports for potential WNBA franchise in Baltimore

U.S. Rep. Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D-Md.) “believes in the potential” of the Baltimore region hosting a potential WNBA franchise, according to Kyle Goon of the BALTIMORE BANNER. Baltimore “showed its voracious appetite for basketball” in May, when fans “sold out” the 11,183-seat CFG Bank Arena for a matchup between the Mystics and the Fever, even without G Caitlin Clark playing. Olszewski said, “We know that the WNBA in particular is exploding right now.” He added, “Baltimore has a storied history of basketball, whether it’s [Basketball HOFer] Carmelo Anthony or [Sky F] Angel Reese — and you put that all together, and Baltimore is a basketball town. As the W considers expansion, I don’t see any reason why Baltimore shouldn’t be at the top of that list moving forward.” Goon noted what would “need to happen” for a Baltimore WNBA team is a rich owner, a long-term home, and “tireless” civic advocacy. He noted the recently renovated CFG Arena is a “concert-focused” venue that is “more equipped to turn around one-offs for the WNBA or college basketball than a full schedule of 22 home games among its 60-some annual concert dates.” He wrote because Baltimore does not have an NBA team, a “pro-caliber facility would likely have to be built” (BALTIMORE BANNER, 7/31).