NETS owner Joseph Tsai enjoys the game between the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. AFP
NEW YORK — The New York Liberty have a new owner and get to keep their NBA ties.
An investment group led by Brooklyn Nets minority owner Joseph Tsai bought the Liberty, the WNBA announced Wednesday.
Tsai, co-founder of the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, bought a 49 percent interest in the Nets in April.
“We are fortunate to welcome Joe Tsai to the WNBA family at a pivotal time for our league,” WNBA interim president Mark Tatum said in a statement.
“As active participants in the New York community, Joe and his team are very well-positioned to take the Liberty to exciting new heights.”
The team will continue to play most of its home games at the Westchester County Center this year.
The Liberty will play one game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, the home of the Nets, as a Comm-UNITY Day celebrating community, diversity and inclusion.
“The Liberty and WNBA exemplify what it means to compete at the highest level, serve as role models in the local community, and bring greater opportunities to female athletes,” Tsai said.
“Our goal is to continue this important work and help bring the WNBA into its next phase of growth.”
Previous Liberty owner James Dolan put the team up for sale in November 2017. There had been several potential buyers and a few were close to a purchase, but the deals fell through for various reasons.
“As the proud owner of the Liberty for the past 22 years, we are pleased that Joe Tsai will now guide the franchise with a commitment to serving its loyal and passionate fans in New York,” Dolan said.
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