Monday’s news from AP that Joe Tsai has agreed to buy the New York Liberty is significant in a lot of ways. The minority owner of the Nets —and majority owner in waiting— is seen as a savior for the Liberty, Madison Square Garden’s afterthought, and someone who wants a bigger presence in the New York sports scene.
But the move sets up Tsai up as a major player in the NBA as well. Not only will he soon own an NBA franchise, a WNBA franchise and yes, a G League franchise and an esports franchise in the league’s biggest market, he’s already serving as a key adviser Commissioner Adam Silver and the vast Asian market.