Oakland Arena was "abandoned by the Warriors two years ago and has been COVID-quiet for the past 15 months," but it is "about to spring back to life," according to Scott Ostler of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Two Oakland development groups are "vying to bring a WNBA team to the area, either an expansion team or a relocated team." Arena administrator Joint Powers Authority Exec Dir Henry Gardner said that the arena is "ready to rock right now." He said coming out of the pandemic, "We are booking events, lots of them, big events, at the arena." Ostler notes when the Warriors moved to S.F., there was talk that Oakland Arena "might become a white elephant, as top arena acts and events flocked to Chase Center." Gardner said, “Our venue is very well known nationally, and many of these artists are returning. And we didn’t build a $100 billion facility, so our prices are far more competitive.” Ostler notes ultimate ownership of the site where Oakland Arena and RingCentral Coliseum sit "is up in the air," as the A’s have an agreement to "purchase a 50% share from Alameda County, and at least three groups are bidding for the other half." Gardner said that he has "indications that the arena will stay." Two of the groups bidding for the Coliseum site said that Oakland Arena "figures into their plans" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/24).
