The New York Liberty announce the location of their new practice facility as the champs continue to invest in their present and future.
Since Joe and Clara Wu Tsai purchased the New York Liberty in 2019, they have been working to make the team the very best in the WNBA.
Through investment, institutional support, and bringing in the best players in the world, the seafoam were able to make history and win their first WNBA championship last October 21. And now, they’ve made a new investment that will help their present and future.
On Thursday, the team announced that they will be building a new state-of-the-art practice facility that will debut in 2027, posting a four-minute video on the team website and social media…
The 75,000 square foot facility — slightly larger than the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn — will be built on Newtown Creek overlooking Manhattan’s iconic skyline. Although the Liberty did not specify an address, Norman Oder of Atlantic Yards Report was able to identify the location of the facility as the northern end of Manhattan Avenue, between Ash Street and Newtown Creek, on the site of a former light-bulb factory.
The facility will cost $80 million which will be fully-funded by the Liberty’s ownership group, per the announcement. That’s about $30 million more than HSS which was completed in early 2016.
“We are a player-first organization and investing in health and wellness has always been a priority for us. The New York Liberty deserve a facility of their own: one that reflects their tremendous talent, work ethic, and ambition,” said Clara Wu Tsai, Governor of the New York Liberty. “This facility is a sign of our commitment to the team, to the city of New York, and to the advancement of women’s sports.”
Dedicated practice facilities are new for WNBA teams with the first, opened by the Las Vegas Aces, opening two years ago. Since then, the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury have developed their own and a number of other teams have announced plans.
The Liberty currently practice and train in the small gym off the main entrance to the arena.
Players leading the way
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart all collaborated with leading global design firm, Populous, to provide “insights that are unique to women, optimize player performance and best accommodate their multi-faceted lifestyles,” according to the release, calling it the “first-ever facility designed by players, for players.”
Highlights of the design process include:
- Revolutionary locker room concept – in lieu of traditional lockers, surrounding the player lounge area, each player will have their own private suite, equipped with a full height wardrobe and sneaker storage, a vanity with face-illuminating mirrors and lighting, and a seven-foot daybed for lounging and recovery.
- Two full practice courts equipped with remote cameras and data tracking technology, as well as multi video displays for on-court film review.
- Outdoor basketball court that allows for easy player access to visit and participate in clinics and to interact with the community. The Liberty are committed to growing the Brooklyn Basketball program that they and the Brooklyn Nets together support, empowering the next generation of young girls and boys.
- Roof deck player dining area featuring indoor and outdoor seating with skyline views and in-house private chefs to provide an elevated dining experience.
- Indoor and outdoor two-story strength training room allowing players and the team’s performance staff to create dynamic programming through its uniquely crafted, spacious layout including a cardio balcony deck overlooking the practice courts.
- Full recovery suite featuring steam, sauna, massage rooms and a range of the latest in rehab and recovery technologies, including hydrotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, infrared, and red-light therapy.
- In-house player hair, nail, and makeup studio ensuring players can book appointments amidst their busy schedules.
- Two private family lounges including separate family and nursery areas.
“I am grateful to be a part of an organization who recognizes the power of investment in their players, and ensures we have everything we need to be at top of our game at all times,” said Ionescu, “It was amazing to sit down with Populous and walk through what is most important to us as athletes to be successful in all aspects of our lives. This facility is a massive next step for the New York Liberty.”
Populous specializes in sports facilities and has been the lead architect on the UBS Arena in Elmont, the Sphere in Las Vegas and the Venetian in Macao, China, where the Nets will play the Suns in two preseason next October.
“One of the main things that drew me to the New York Liberty organization is the level of investment in us as athletes. We just won a championship, and in the same way they expect us to level up and step up our game, our ownership group and leadership continues to raise the bar, and this facility is a perfect example of that. This is what makes our organization great and why it will continue to be relevant as the years go on,” added Jones.
“The Liberty made this facility a true player-led endeavor, incorporating our insights to help us be our best, while strengthening our bond as a team and with the New York community,” said Breanna Stewart, Liberty forward. “As a mom, I’m especially grateful for the family rooms—it means everything to know my family is cared for while I stay locked in on my craft.”
Additional key Liberty practice facility features will include a rooftop patio and lounge area, a broadcast and podcast studio, a dedicated media workroom, and three floors of office space for the Liberty’s growing front office staff. As a dedication to its fan base, the Liberty will also build a fan-facing immersive experience, hospitality, and a retail storefront.
Latest investment by the Tsais
The facility is the latest by Joe and Clara Wu Tsai. In October, the parent company for the Liberty, Nets and Barclays Center announced a five-year, $100 million plan to “enhance fan experience” at the 12-year-old arena.
At the time, BSE announced that future projects covered by the plan include creating a communal gathering space and improved food and beverage offerings on the upper concourse as well as upgrading and adding to existing premium spaces in the arena, upgrading arena entrances, and finishing off with a state of the art new centerhung, aka overhead scoreboard and sound system.
Details on that are expected soon.
Less specific are plans for creating an “ccosystem” around Barclays that according to BSE Global CEO Sam Zussman, could eventually include a hotel, conference center etc. According to Zussman, the Lakers investment in LA Live built around Cryto.com arena.