Raiders owner Mark Davis buying WNBA's Las Vegas Aces

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Raiders owner Mark Davis has agreed to purchase the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces from MGM Resorts International, it was announced Thursday.

Davis said the deal is pending the approval from the league's board of governors.

"I am excited to announce that I have entered into an agreement to purchase the Las Vegas franchise in the WNBA from MGM Resorts International," Davis said in a statement. "I will have more to say once I receive official approval from the WNBA Board of Governors and have had a chance to speak with the players, coaches and administrators of the team."

The Aces relocated to Las Vegas from San Antonio in 2017 and have been successful in recent years. Las Vegas posted the league's best record last season before losing to the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Finals.

The Aces have a solid group of young players, including WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson and Sixth Woman of the Year Dearica Hamby.

"Mark is a longtime champion of women's basketball and we believe he is the right person to lead the Aces into a new era," MGM president of entertainment and sports George Kliavkoff said in a statement. "We will continue our enthusiastic support of the WNBA, NBA and basketball in Las Vegas."

Davis has been an active supporter of Las Vegas sports teams since the Raiders moved from Oakland in 2017. He regularly attends Aces and Golden Knights games.