Austin, known for its live music and burgeoning tech scene, could soon be making waves in the world of women's professional basketball as the city enters the arena to secure a WNBA expansion team. Spearheaded by former WNBA player and the University of Texas at Austin icon Fran Harris, the capital city has officially tossed its hat into the ring as one of the contenders looking to add a professional women's basketball team to its sports repertoire. According to FOX 7 Austin, Harris, who played for the Houston Comets, has been dreaming of owning a team for three decades and now sees Austin's ripe sports culture as the perfect setting. She stated, "I've seen Austin go from the sleepy town slash city that it was when I got here as a teenager into a full-grown sports town."

Austin's bid is backed by an investment group that boasts major players such as former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, entrepreneur and sports broadcaster Fran Harris, Peak 6 co-founder Jenny Just, and NBA star Kevin Durant. Durant, in particular, is leveraging the new NBA collective-bargaining agreement which permits NBA players to own a stake in a WNBA team with no NBA affiliation. Harris mentioned to FOX 7 Austin that the group has the financial backing and the know-how to run a sports team, with Austin ready to support it. Meanwhile, Vic Schaefer, head coach of the Longhorn women's basketball team, has voiced his strong support for the initiative, noting the positive impact it could have on the city and state.

However, Austin isn't alone in its pursuit. USA TODAY Sports reports that the WNBA has received bids from over 10 cities, including the well-established sports markets of Detroit, Nashville, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Houston. These cities have submitted bids backed by their respective NBA ownership groups. With the WNBA having recently secured a lucrative new TV deal, ownership of a team is seen increasingly as a valuable investment, with franchise fees potentially reaching up to $200 million.

The Austin bid, which includes plans for both a new practice facility and home games at the Moody Center, harnesses the city and region's commitment to women's basketball and the untapped business opportunities a pro sports franchise could bring. Harris's vision for the team resonates with a spirit of growth reflective in Austin itself, a city that has seen its sports scene mature substantially over recent years. As they now play the waiting game for the WNBA's decision, the stakeholders in Austin's bid are poised to potentially reshape the city's sports and entertainment landscape once more. "You've got to have the financial backing from someone who understands what it takes to run a sports team. You need a city that is ready to support the WNBA," Harris told FOX 7 Austin. It's a bet many in Austin hope will pay off with the jackpot of high-caliber women's basketball.