
WNBA Announces Expansion: Which Cities Are Getting Teams?
WNBA Announces Expansion: Which Cities Are Getting Teams?
By Ali Hammad July 04, 2025 08:59
In a landmark move that underscores the rapid growth and increasing popularity of women's professional basketball, the WNBA announced on June 30, 2025, that it will expand to three new cities by 2030: Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This expansion will bring the league’s total number of teams to an unprecedented 18, marking the most significant growth phase in the WNBA’s history over the next five years.
The timeline for these new franchises is clear: Cleveland will kick off play in 2028, Detroit will follow in 2029, and Philadelphia is slated to join the league in 2030. This phased approach allows the league and ownership groups to carefully prepare for sustainable success, including investments in facilities, staffing, and community engagement.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hailed the expansion as “far more than expansion of the WNBA, it’s an evolution” and a “transformational investment in the future of women’s sports.” She emphasized the league’s momentum, citing record-breaking viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales as a foundation for this bold step forward. Engelbert also noted that each new franchise will pay a $250 million expansion fee, a figure roughly five times higher than fees paid for earlier expansions, reflecting the league’s growing economic clout and market value.
All three new teams will be owned by NBA ownership groups, ensuring strong basketball infrastructure and resources. Cleveland’s team will be managed by Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group, which also owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Detroit’s franchise will be led by Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons, while Philadelphia’s team will be under the stewardship of Josh Harris, managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers. This synergy between NBA and WNBA ownership is expected to foster shared facilities, marketing strategies, and fan engagement, creating natural cross-promotional opportunities.
Historically, both Cleveland and Detroit have deep roots in the WNBA. Cleveland was home to the Rockers, one of the league’s inaugural teams from 1997 to 2003, while Detroit’s Shock franchise operated from 1998 until relocating in 2009, winning three WNBA championships during their tenure. The return of professional women’s basketball to these cities is not only a nod to their rich basketball heritage but also a sign of the league’s commitment to reviving and expanding its footprint in established markets.
Philadelphia’s addition is particularly significant as it strengthens the league’s presence on the East Coast and creates new regional rivalries with teams like New York and Washington. Josh Harris remarked on the importance of providing the team with a dedicated facility, stating, “This team deserves its own facility. We need to determine where that will be”.
The expansion also responds to intense demand. Over ten markets submitted formal bids, including cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, and Miami, but the league prioritized markets with strong ownership, facilities, and fan support. Engelbert highlighted that the league evaluated about 25 criteria, including arena quality, community engagement, and demographic potential, before finalizing the selections.
With the league currently featuring 15 teams including the newly launched Golden State Valkyries and the upcoming Toronto and Portland franchises this expansion signals a new era. The WNBA is poised to capitalize on a surge of talent, star power exemplified by players like Caitlin Clark, and growing commercial interest.
As the WNBA prepares to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, the league’s trajectory is clear: more teams, more roster spots, and greater visibility. This expansion not only enhances competitive balance but also represents a transformative moment for women’s professional sports in North America.