LIVE UPDATES: Fed Chair Jerome Powell to deliver major speech at Jackson Hole
Investing.com -- The WNBA announced plans to expand to 18 teams with the addition of franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, subject to approval from the WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors.
The three new teams will join the league’s existing 15 franchises, including the Golden State Valkyries who began play in May 2025, and previously announced expansion teams in Toronto and Portland set to debut in 2026.
Cleveland will start play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. Each market was selected after analyzing viability, ownership commitment, fan potential, corporate support, arena facilities, and community engagement.
"The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "This historic expansion reflects our league’s extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women’s professional basketball."
The Cleveland franchise will be owned by Rock Entertainment Group, led by Chairman Dan Gilbert, who also owns the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland previously hosted the Rockers from 1997 to 2003.
Detroit’s ownership group is headed by Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons and CEO of Platinum Equity. The city previously hosted the Shock from 1998-2009, a team that won three championships and once drew a record 22,076 fans for a Finals game in 2003.
The Philadelphia team will be owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, led by Managing Partner Josh Harris along with David Blitzer, David Adelman, and Brian Roberts.
"Philadelphia is one of the most storied basketball cities in the world," said Harris. "It’s only right that this city gets the WNBA team it deserves."
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.