In a move that takes effect for the 2020 WNBA season, the New York Liberty will play home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
In addition to the change in venue, this will also be the first full season under new leadership. Joe Tsai acquired the Liberty in January 2019, and recently purchased Barclays Center and the remaining interest in the Brooklyn Nets, becoming Governor of the team. Immediately following the closing of the transaction, David Levy was named CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center, and President of J Tsai Sports, which operates the Liberty.
“We are committed to the Liberty’s long-term success in New York and relocating the team to Brooklyn will provide the franchise with tremendous opportunity,” said Levy. “With many of our fans based in the five boroughs, moving to Barclays Center will make the Liberty more centrally located, allowing us to bring back the original fan base and attract new supporters. The venue change, along with the first pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, has positioned the team for an exciting future.”
“The New York Liberty are part of the foundation of the W and have many of the most accomplished players and passionate fans since the inaugural season,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Barclays Center is the perfect venue to host New York’s team and showcase world-class women’s basketball. This move is key to driving the league to the next level.”
For the past two seasons, the Liberty played at Westchester County Center, where the capacity was 2,100. The move to Barclays Center will expand the capacity to more than 8,000, with opportunity for growth. This is the fourth home venue in the Liberty’s illustrious history as one of the eight original franchises in the WNBA. The team played in the first-ever WNBA game in 1997 defeating the Los Angeles Sparks and has claimed some of the league’s biggest names, including Becky Hammon, Kym Hampton, Vickie Johnson, Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Sue Wicks.
