As the popularity of the WNBA has exploded recently, North American cities without teams have taken notice and begun expansion. That means league commissioner Cathy Engelbert will have to make a very difficult decision at some point in the future.
More than a dozen cities have been named interested in hosting WNBA expansion teams in the next few years. Some cities have owners actively interested in bidding, while others have been identified as possible destinations by Engelbert himself.
There are so many cities we’re interested in, but there’s only one spot currently available. The WNBA’s original plan was to introduce four new expansion teams into the league by 2028, and is currently at 75% progress. Three expansion teams are scheduled to begin play over the next two years, including the Golden State Vaklyries in 2025 and expansion teams from Portland and Toronto in 2026.
There’s no telling when Engelbert will make a decision on his fourth expansion team. Until she does, here’s a rundown of potential landing spots.
cleveland
Cleveland, home of LeBron James and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is the latest city with WNBA aspirations. Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage made the announcement Wednesday: Team owners are “actively pursuing” bringing a WNBA team to the city. Cleveland had a WNBA team, the Cleveland Rockers (one of the WNBA’s original eight teams) from 1997 to 2003, but it is not known whether Cavs ownership is interested in reviving the defunct team’s name or brand.
Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes, three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs Recently expressed interest in expanding the KC sports empire. He and his wife, Brittany, are part owners of the city’s NWSL team, KC Current, and the same ownership group (which also includes others other than him and his wife) would like to bring a WNBA franchise to a city already steeped in sports. They currently play at CPKC Stadium, the first stadium built specifically for a women’s professional sports team.
Philadelphia
Few sports cities are like Philadelphia, and city leaders know it. Mayor Cherelle Parker said in September that both the city and 76ers owners wanted to bid for a WNBA expansion team. But that’s only possible if the current proposal for a new 76ers stadium in Philly gets through the city council. Although there is strong opposition to the proposal, This would threaten the 150-year-old Chinatown district and its businesses. But the mayor, Sixers ownership and several city unions are supportive.
st louis
Boston Celtics megastar Jayson Tatum is reportedly interested in financially supporting a WNBA expansion team. According to Sportico, Tatum has “unofficially” agreed to support a bid to bring a team to his hometown of St. Louis. The bid, led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman, doesn’t yet have a “formal structure,” but Tatum wants to do more than just write checks. Via Sportico:
houston
The city of Houston had a WNBA team from 1997 to 2008, the Houston Comets, one of the first WNBA franchises. It already has history and a built-in nostalgia factor, making it an attractive destination for the WNBA. Is it better? Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta Has been in “active” talks with the WNBA to revive the Comets. Bring a WNBA team back to Texas.
austin
Austin is the largest city in the United States without a major sports franchise, but a WNBA team could change that. There are several big names on the list of potential expansion teams and have already put in bids. Former Texas Longhorns star and 1985-86 NCAA national champion Fran Harris is the face of Austin’s WNBA efforts, while another former Longhorn, Kevin Durant, It is reported that investment in the team is being considered.
milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks owners reportedly submitted a bid for a WNBA expansion team last October. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Bucks ownership has not yet been confirmed.
Other potential destinations
First and foremost, the city has parties actively interested in bidding for a WNBA team. The cities below have been mentioned as potential expansion destinations, but have yet to identify anyone interested in a long-term ownership level commitment.
nashville
Commissioner Engelbert traveled to Nashville in early 2024, and although it was not a WNBA-related trip, he said this after returning. Inspired by the city’s ‘young vitality and music culture’ And Nashville was “definitely” a candidate. But she also said Nashville couldn’t be at or near the top of the list without first finding a potential owner to lead the bid.
charlotte
Like Houston and Cleveland, Charlotte was also home to one of the original eight WNBA teams. The Charlotte Sting existed from 1997 to 2007. But unlike Houston, the local NBA team There is currently no interest in bringing a WNBA franchise to Charlotte.
denver
Engelbert announced in April 2024: Denver was one of the options For future WNBA expansion teams. Since then, there has been no word about potential investors or the city’s intention to bid.
