Update given on Warriors' San Francisco arena plans

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The hottest team in the NBA is expected to have the most state-of-the-art stadium in just a few years. On Tuesday, the Warriors gave an update on their San Francisco arena plans. The team's new home will be built in the Mission Bay area at 3rd and 16th streets.

Warriors' president Rick Welts shared the team's vision with a Chamber of Commerce gathering. The new arena is expected to break ground early next year and open in 2018.

The 12-acre-plot is in the developing Mission Bay neighborhood, near AT&T Park and the new UCSF Hospital complex. The Warriors believe the $1 billion showpiece will draw the league's top players.

"Plus think, most of our players are in their 20's and the future of our world is being determined by 20 somethings in the Bay Area right now," Welts said.

Welts says the arena may also attract national political conventions.

"I hope we nominate a president of the U.S. here," Welts said.

And get ready for big-name concerts. However, it's the die-hard Warriors fans that need to buy in. Some fans are concerned the team will become kind of corporate and others say they're excited to see a basketball team in San Francisco.

The Warriors say their fan base at Oracle is about evenly split between San Francisco and the East Bay. Those demographics are now fueling a lively debate -- if the hottest team in the NBA wins the championship, which city hosts the festivities?

Still, with the team on a roll, you bet they're thinking about it.

You may be able to catch a Warriors game on ABC7 this weekend. We'll know more when the playoff schedule is set.

We do know the NBA Finals can be seen only on ABC7. Live coverage begins June 4.