PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The fact that Pittsburgh has a shot at getting a WNBA team in the future is getting a lot of reaction around the city.

The Sports and Exhibition Authority is still bouncing the idea around and just approved another step in its game plan.

KDKA-TV hit the streets to ask people if they want to see a WNBA team in Pittsburgh.

“Absolutely, I think the women’s NBA is on a rise. I know this last class happened to be exciting, and not to take anything away from the other players but to have another WNBA team here that’d be fabulous,” said Nick Pasciullo.

“Oh definitely, bring some revenue and some excitement,” said Andrew Tucker.

“Oh yeah, I think it would be great if Pittsburgh added a team because it was just making bigger horizons. And it would be great for women’s basketball,” said Julia Loughman.

“We do need a basketball team, and I think a women’s team would be great,” another woman told KDKA-TV.

The Sports and Exhibition Authority approved up to $40,000 to have a consulting firm look into the idea. The firm will conduct a financial feasibility analysis for securing a WNBA expansion team.

The consulting firm will be completing phase 2 of the study. The firm already evaluated the fan base here. Now, it will look at the cost of operating a team in the city and potential revenues. The findings will be presented to potential owners and the WNBA.

With many eyes on rookie all-stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, interest in women’s hoops has been soaring.

“They be hooping, man. They be taking it to the rim. They be doing the damn thing all the time, so WNBA would be good coming here,” Tucker said.

But would it still be a great play if a Pittsburgh team didn’t have a superstar player?

“I feel like not as many people would go. But if it became popular enough, people would come,” Loughman said.

“Doesn’t matter because we get the visiting teams,” Pasciullo said.

While most people said they think it could be a slam dunk for the Steel City, KDKA-TV asked how many games they would attend.

“I’d be a season ticket holder,” Pasciullo said.

“I would probably go once or twice each season with my dad and my family,” Loughman said. 

“I’d go at least go once a week,” Tucker said.

“To be honest, I just watch it on TV,” said Louis Edmonds.

“I think It would be exciting and I would support it. I would go as much as I could,” Micah Paris said.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the field to begin training camp at Saint Vincent College, and while most of the headlines revolved around Russell Wilson’s injury and Justin Fields throwing a dime to Van Jefferson for a deep touchdown, there was some drama that hit the field – and the headlines – as well.

Late in practice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo reported that wide receiver George Pickens shared a heated exchange with wide receivers coach Zach Azzani. The back-and-forth happened when Azzani didn’t like how Pickens handled his assignment on a play. Afterward, Fittipaldo reported that other wide receivers came up to Pickens, but the third-year wideout was “visibly upset.”

Now, the speculation around Pickens grows. With Day 1 of training camp having issues, Fittipaldo believes the Steelers could have a line with Pickens, and it’s up to the wide receiver not to cross it.

“Listen, George is a pretty sharp guy. He’s gotta see the writing on the wall, right? I mean, they got rid of Diontae Johnson because he was a problem. And George Pickens has to know that if he doesn’t turn around his act and act in a more appropriate manner on and off the field this season, that he might be the next guy out the door,” Fittipaldo told 93.7 The Fan. “Or, at the very least, he’s not gonna get a second contract with the Steelers. So, I think George is smart. I think, after today, he probably realizes if he didn’t already know it, he is gonna be coached hard.

“This is a new offensive staff, it’s not gonna be the same. And we’ll see how this goes, but I thought that was a pretty interesting development that it happened today late in practice.”

The Steelers did everything they could to avoid drama this season, moving on from Diontae Johnson and Kenny Pickett due to attitude issues. Pickens dealt with some backlash last season for his efforts on the field and some heated exchanges on the sideline.

While he’s one of the most talented members of the Steelers roster, the team continues to pursue a splash wide receiver trade. Anything can happen, but after the offseason they conducted, it’s hard to imagine they let anyone cause distractions on this team.

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