The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has its sights set on expansion, and notable cities across North America are in the mix for hosting new teams. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has pinpointed several potential locations for the league's growth ambitions, which include Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, Nashville, and even South Florida.
According to Bleacher Report, Engelbert disclosed that Denver is another hub being eyed for a team, as the WNBA aims to introduce a new team by 2026 and reach a total of 16 teams by 2028. The Bay Area has already been tagged to roll out its franchise beginning in 2025, marking it the league's 13th team. Entering its 27th season, the WNBA began in 1997 with eight teams and reaching to 12, most recently expanding with the Chicago Sky in 2006 and the Atlanta Dream in 2008.
Notably, five current WNBA teams have ties with an NBA franchise, upping the appeal for cities like Philadelphia, Toronto, and Portland which already possess established NBA teams. Nonetheless, a city without an NBA presence, like Nashville, could be poised to plunge into the professional basketball scene.
Philly has surfaced as an intriguing contender, fueled by an appetite for basketball palpable in its sports culture. As Axios reported, Engelbert emphasized, "I think [Philly is] a great basketball city, and we'll continue to discuss it with ownership groups there that are interested in committing long-term to the W." The city's passion has caught the attention of celebrities like Wanda Sykes, who was reportedly part of a group eager to bring a WNBA team to the city of brotherly love. Not to be underplayed, the potential for the 76ers’ new billion-dollar downtown arena could bolster Philly's bid, making it an attractive package.
The surge in women's basketball comes on the heels of a collegiate scene that has grown in both talent and viewership. Caitlin Clark, snagged as the no. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, is emblematic of the emerging stars infusing energy into the sport. The TV audience for the women's championship game notably exceeded that of the men's final for the first time, as chronicled by 6abc. This milestone mirrors the WNBA's projected revenue leap to $200 million this year, up from $100 million in 2019, a growth spurt that speaks to the sport's burgeoning appeal and the league's potential for a slam dunk with expansion.
