The WNBA owners have unanimously approved the Tulsa Shock moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area next season.
The Shock (10-8) will finish out the current year in Tulsa. They will play next year at the University of Texas at Arlington, subject to approval by the Texas system's Board of Regents.
"The WNBA is extremely grateful to the city of Tulsa and the team's loyal fans. The support they have shown for the Shock and women's professional basketball over the past six seasons has been tremendous," said WNBA President Laurel J. Richie. "We look forward to having our first team based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area."
“Having a WNBA team playing at UT Arlington’s College Park Center will add tremendously to the rich sports environment at, and around, the University," Dr. Vistasp M. Karbhari, President of UTA, said in a statement. "This adds a new dimension to the growing emergence of UTA in athletics since it will expand exponentially the ways our students can learn from, interact with, and experience the excitement and professionalism of a major women’s sports team. This addition to our community also opens tremendous prospects for our students in areas beyond attending games, and we look forward to developing strong partnerships in a range of beneficial activities."
This was the first season that Tulsa had success on the court winning eight of their first nine games before star guard Skylar Diggins was lost for the season with an ACL injury. The Shock have lost seven of nine since.
Majority owner Bill Cameron announced his plans to move the team to the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday. The Shock moved from Detroit in 2010.
