The WNBA has formally announced plans to expand into three new cities by 2030, which will eventually increase the size of the league to 18 teams.
In addition to previously announced expansion clubs coming next year in Portland, Oregon and Toronto, the WNBA revealed June 30 that it will establish new franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
“The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league’s extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women’s professional basketball.’
The expansion plan now goes to the WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors for final approval.
The announcement stages a return of the WNBA to two of the league’s former cities. The Cleveland Rockers played in the league from 1997 to 2003. The Detroit Shock won three league championships during their existence from 1998-2009. The Detroit franchise moved to Tulsa in 2010 and is now the Dallas Wings.
All three new teams will pay an expansion fee of $250 million to the league. That’s a five-fold increase from the $50 million the Golden State Valkyries paid to join the WNBA this season.
3 NBA owners add WNBA franchises
The ownership groups for the three new WNBA teams feature some names familiar to sports fans.
Cleveland: The new WNBA franchise will be owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group, the parent company run by chairman Dan Gilbert that also includes the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and G-League Cleveland Charge, as well as the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters.
Detroit: The controlling owner of the Motor City’s new team is Tom Gores, who also owns the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.
Philadelphia: The new team in Philadelphia will be owned and operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the same company that owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils. HBSE is led by co-founder Josh Harris, who’s also the controlling owner and managing general partner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.