TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Amid 100-degree heat and energy-sapping humidity, a small group of volunteers stood on a corner across from the BOK Center and handed out “Save Our Shock” T-shirts before their team’s WNBA showdown with the Minnesota Lynx over the weekend.
It could be all for naught: Shock majority owner Bill Cameron announced plans Monday to move the franchise to the Dallas-Fort Worth market as early as next season.
Cameron said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that he hoped the WNBA Board of Governors would vote as soon as possible on the relocation, though the team will finish this season in Tulsa. He said he was proud of the effort from community since the team moved from Detroit before the 2010 season.
“This is a very difficult decision, and I know it is particularly difficult for the Tulsa investors,” Cameron said. “From a business perspective, it was necessary to evaluate options to place the team and the organization in the best position to achieve financial success. After a thorough review, I believe the Dallas-Fort Worth area holds the greatest potential to achieve our long-term business objectives.”
There’s still hope for Tulsa – the league’s 12-member board needs to approve the request by majority vote.