Kevin Durant Eyes WNBA Franchise in Austin, TX: The Unexpected Twist in His Legacy

Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s most celebrated and controversial superstars, is reportedly bidding for a WNBA team in the same city where he once played college basketball. But wait—before you roll your eyes and think this is just another “look at me, I’m doing good things” moment, let’s dive into the surprising, slightly absurd, and kind of hilarious reasons why Durant’s involvement in women’s sports could actually be a game-changer—or a total disaster.

A Return to Austin: Not Just About the BBQ, But Basketball?

Durant’s connection to Austin, TX, goes way beyond just his one-year stint at the University of Texas. The 2006-07 season was a coming-of-age period for Durant, who quickly went from a rookie sensation to the Big 12 Player of the Year and earned a Naismith College Player of the Year award—making history as the first freshman to ever snag that honor. Talk about starting with a bang! That season not only put him on the map but paved the way for his 2007 NBA draft selection by the Seattle SuperSonics (RIP, Seattle fans) as the second overall pick. Fast forward to today, and Durant’s name is synonymous with elite basketball, a two-time NBA champion, and an unrepentant heel in the eyes of some NBA purists.

But here’s where things get interesting (and maybe a little too “Kevin Durant” for comfort). Reports surfaced that Durant is among a group of investors trying to secure a WNBA team in Austin. Yes, Austin. Where college basketball dreams are made, where the tacos are superior, and where Durant’s Texas legacy lives on. Is this an act of redemption for his departure from college basketball—or just another way for Durant to claim the spotlight in an already saturated sports landscape?

Who’s in the Investor Group? Sounds Like a Rich People’s Club

The WNBA’s potential new ownership group is no small league of players (pun intended). Aside from Durant, the group reportedly includes former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, former University of Texas athlete and WNBA star Fran Harris, and entrepreneur Jenny Just. Oh, and let’s not forget Durant’s venture firm, Thirty Five Ventures, which has already been investing in women’s sports—though let’s be honest, the optics of a multi-millionaire, NBA superstar jumping into women’s sports feels a little, well, performative. But hey, maybe we’re being too cynical.

Durant has long claimed to be an ally to women’s sports—most notably backing platforms like Just Women’s Sports in 2021, and later investing in the Gotham FC women’s soccer team. But is his sudden WNBA interest a genuine passion, or a carefully crafted image overhaul, as the man has faced endless criticisms of being aloof and occasionally… well, difficult? Could this be Durant’s way of ensuring that his brand stays relevant beyond the court, in a time when his on-court performances have, well, started to feel like they might be approaching the twilight?

Let’s be real: Is Durant’s decision to get involved with the WNBA a stroke of genius or just another case of “look at me, I’m woke!”?

The WNBA’s Growing Popularity: About Time, or Overhyped?

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Durant’s involvement in the WNBA comes at a time when the league is experiencing significant growth. Viewership is up, there’s more media coverage, and names like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are becoming household fixtures. But is this an indication that the WNBA is finally entering the mainstream, or is it still an afterthought when it comes to sports media and sponsorship deals?

You have to ask: if a player as big as Durant is willing to stake a claim, does that mean women’s basketball is finally having its moment? Or does it speak more to a trend, a shift in the tides where every major male athlete feels the pressure to align themselves with progressive movements, even when it comes off as a bit too forced?

Don’t get me wrong, the WNBA deserves all the respect in the world—its athletes are amazing, and their dedication to the game is inspiring. But, let’s face it: even if the WNBA is on the rise, it’s still nowhere near the cash cow that the NBA is, and it hasn’t reached the level of mainstream dominance that some would like to believe.

Durant himself stated, back in 2021, that in order to grow women’s sports, fans need to see how amazing the games are. Sounds great, right? Sure, until you remember that the same guy who claims to be passionate about women’s sports just had an NBA Finals meltdown and a Twitter feud with a rookie. But hey, we all have our moments.

WNBA Expansion: The Austin Move—Is This the Future of Women’s Sports?

Now let’s talk about why Durant might be interested in Austin specifically. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has stated that the league is looking to expand to a 16th franchise, with Austin being one of the cities under consideration. Other contenders include Charlotte, NC, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, and Houston, TX. Austin’s name on the list might raise some eyebrows—sure, it’s a tech hub, but can it really support a WNBA team? The city’s got the youth and the energy, but does it have the fanbase that can sustain a professional sports team?

More importantly, does Durant think Austin can be a basketball city again after his SuperSonics got sent packing and the Longhorns’ glory days faded into the distance?

The potential for a WNBA team in Austin is still up in the air, but it signals a huge shift for women’s sports. If Durant and his fellow investors succeed in bringing a WNBA team to the city, it could be a defining moment in the growth of women’s basketball.

The “Durant Effect”: Can He Be Trusted With Women’s Sports?

There’s no denying that Kevin Durant has built an empire off his basketball skills. But when it comes to women’s sports, is he really in it for the right reasons, or is this just another opportunity for a rich athlete to flex his influence? Durant has often been the subject of scrutiny over his choices: from his decision to join the Warriors, to his frequent social media battles, to his passive-aggressive comments about teammates and competitors. Does anyone really trust the guy who left Oklahoma City to chase easy championships? Is his involvement with the WNBA genuinely good for the league, or is it a cynical marketing strategy to gain him more relevancy?

As fans, we want to see change. We want to see athletes step up and support women’s sports. But when the person doing the stepping up is a guy who’s been known to be a little self-absorbed, it’s hard not to wonder about his true intentions.

So, is Kevin Durant’s interest in the WNBA the future of women’s sports, or is it just another example of a celebrity trying to get their hands on a new, shiny toy for the sake of their own ego? Maybe we’ll have to wait and see. But one thing’s for sure—if Durant does take the plunge and buys into a WNBA team, there will be plenty of fans watching with their eyes wide open, waiting for the next drama-filled episode in the ongoing saga of Kevin Durant’s career.