Triple Crown Sports to pursue WNBA team
March 16, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Colorado Chill News Release
Triple Crown Sports is in negotiations with the WNBA to field a team beginning in the 2008 season.
Triple Crown Sports, the Fort Collins-based sports marketing company, announced their pursuit of a WNBA team at a 2pm press conference today at Triple Crown Sports national headquarters, 3930 Automation Way, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Triple Crown Sports is the owner of the Colorado Chill. The Chill played three seasons (2004-2006) in the NWBL, a women's professional league, until withdrawing last year because of league instability. Triple Crown has been exploring the opportunity to continue their involvement in women's basketball since that time.
"We have a continued and passionate interest in the ownership and development of women's professional basketball in Colorado," said David King, CEO of Triple Crown Sports. "We would love to anchor an ownership group in the WNBA."
It is the intent of TCS to lead the ownership group functioning as the managing general partner. King is in discussions with key Colorado venues
King will continue discussions with the WNBA including exploring possible venues for the team such as the Budweiser Events Center, the Pepsi Center, and other Denver metro facilities. A dual home host site format with two venues sharing a combination of games is also a possibility.
"Pepsi Center would be able to host a number of games during the summer of 2008 and beyond. Everyone at Kroenke Sports is excited about the possibility of hosting the Colorado Chill and the WNBA for these dates in Denver," said Paul Andrews, Executive Vice President, Kroenke Sports Enterprises.
The Budweiser Events Center was the home court for the Colorado Chill for three years. "We are very excited about the possibility of the return of the Colorado Chill, especially in the WNBA. It would be a tremendous enhancement to this sports region as well as a great addition to our current schedule at the Budweiser Events Center. While there are challenges to making this work in our current business model, we will collectively look at every angle and opportunity to bring this franchise to Colorado," said Jay Hardy, Director of The Ranch.
In its 3-year history, the Chill garnered 3 regular season titles and 2 championship titles. The 2006 Chill roster included 5 current WNBA players including Becky Hammon (New York Liberty), Ruth Riley (San Antonio Silver Stars), Jamie Carey (Connecticut Sun), Katie Cronin (Chicago Sky), and Adrian Williams (Sacramento Monarchs).
"The thought of there being a WNBA team in Colorado is very exciting! I've always loved Colorado, and hold a special place in my heart for all the women's basketball fans and the people that I've come to know and love in the Colorado area," said Becky Hammon, former Colorado Chill Player and current WNBA New York Liberty player. "It's an ideal place for a women's professional basketball team because of the many fans of the game that call Colorado home."
Triple Crown Sports is a nation-wide sports marketing company. In its 21st year, Triple Crown strives to provide high quality, destination events for grassroots sports such as baseball, fastpitch and slowpitch softball. Specific to women's basketball, the company owns and operates the Preseason and Postseason WNIT (Women's National Invitation Tournament).
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from March 16, 2007
- Triple Crown Sports to pursue WNBA team - Colorado Chill
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