Struggling WNBA’s Monarchs May Fold

The Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA ceased operations Nov. 20, four years after bringing the league’s championship to the California city.

And it could be a harbinger of things to come for the league. Monarchs’ co-owner Joe Maloof, of the same family that owns the Palms resort/casino in Las Vegas and the Sacramento Kings, told the Bee newspaper “we’re really bummed” about the closure.

Meanwhile, WNBA President Donna Orender is trying to broker a sale to parties in the San Francisco Bay Area with hopes the team can move to San Jose’s HP Pavilion or Oakland’s Oracle Arena from Sacramento’s aging Arco Arena.

But any sale comes against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about the financial viability of the 14-year-old women’s basketball league.

Its Detroit franchise moved to Tulsa, Okla., just weeks ago, the Atlanta Flame underwent a recent ownership change and four-time champs the Houston Comets have disbanded.