The Los Angeles Sparks are building a new practice facility, but some WNBA teams lag behind

Los Angeles Sparks is the latest WNBA The team begins plans to build its own practice facility. For the past two seasons, the Sparks practiced at El Camino College, a community college in Torrance, California.

“We are building more than just a practice facility. We are investing in the future of women's basketball in Los Angeles,” Sparks Governor Eric Holloman said in a statement. “This facility is part of a broader vision to elevate the Los Angeles Sparks as Los Angeles' premier franchise. WNBA And to create an environment where players have all the resources they need to achieve greatness. Los Angeles is a city of champions, and we are determined to bring that winning legacy to Sparks. ”

With this announcement, the Sparks become the third team with plans for their own practice facility in the coming years. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized that team-specific practice facilities are a key priority for expansion teams. These are things that the players themselves have been outspoken about for years.

4 teams with their own practice facilities

of Las Vegas Aces They set the tone for the rest of the league's teams when they announced practice facility. Ahead of the 2023 season, the team built a $40 million, 64,000 square foot facility. Features include two basketball courts, a weight room, training room, film room, players lounge, family room, locker room, hot and cold plunge pools, infrared sauna, cryotherapy, nutrition bar and more.

Aces players speak passionately about the importance of this type of facility.

“For us to have this and go from not having a locker at one point to now having our own headquarters is a sign of the direction we're going and where women's basketball is going. I think it's something to show for it,” said A' JA Wilson. The Athletic As soon as the facility was opened to the public.

of storm in seattle announced its own facility in 2023. It's a $64 million, 50,000 square foot facility called the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance.

of phoenix mercury announced a new $100 million, 58,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in downtown Phoenix during WNBA All-Star weekend.

Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE, Getty Images

of Golden State Valkyries — They are scheduled to join the league next season and will have their own state-of-the-art facilities from the start. The Oakland-based facility spans more than 30,000 square feet.

Three teams share dedicated facilities with NBA team

of indiana fever They share a practice facility with the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where games are also played. The Fever was relocated from the Fieldhouse during renovations from 2000 to 2002. Fever's unique amenities are available within the facility.

of minnesota lynx Share practice facilities minnesota timberwolvesin Mayo Center court. The Lynx were the first WNBA team to have their own designated practice space, including their own court, locker room, and training area. Construction on this facility began in 2014 and has made a huge difference between the Lynx and other WNBA teams over the years.

of washington mystics Practice at MedStar Health Performance Center. This center is a space shared with medical institutions. washington wizards. Players have 24/7 access to the facility and can benefit from NBA resources.

The four WNBA teams are schedule for your practice facility

of Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, and new york liberty By 2026, all companies will have built their own facilities. sparks They join a group of teams currently moving forward with plans, but there is still no timeline for construction of the facility.

of Sky announced They were scheduled to break ground on a brand new $38 million, more than 40,000 square foot performance center in July. It was born after years of practice Saks Recreation CenterPublic facilities that do not belong to Sky.

Meanwhile, the Wings are planning a move from Arlington, Texas to Dallas. Wings CEO Greg Bibb shared that the move comes in conjunction with the team acquiring its own practice facility, but while details were limited, “We're not in the NBA facility that we have there. “We are building a practice facility that is equivalent to that.”

In July, Joe and Clara Wu Tsai announced they would build Liberty's practice facility in Brooklyn. The Liberty are currently using the practice courts at Barclays Center. Although there is only one court, rather than the usual two adjacent courts, the location of this facility is convenient.

Two WNBA teams have no clear plans for their own practice facilities

of atlanta dream and san, connecticut Currently, these are the only two teams that do not have their own practice facilities or plans to build one.

The Suns are currently practicing at the Tribal Practice Facility. Mohegan Community and Government Center Located in Uncasville, Connecticut. Teams do not have exclusive access to this facility, so players are not able to use it throughout the year. The facility also lacks many of the amenities found in dedicated spaces for professional basketball teams. There have been several high-profile instances in which Sun has been removed from the facility for community events. For example, during the first round of the playoffs against the Fever, I had to share the court with a toddler's birthday party.

Atlanta Dream is Core4 Athletic ComplexThis facility was built by former NBA player Paul Millsap. The facility is geared toward professionals, with multiple practice courts, a weight room, and a sauna, but it's not specifically theirs and is about 37 miles from Gateway Center, where the team plays. `