The WNBA Expands: Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia Join the League
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is in the process of expansion, adding three more teams to its already competitive league. Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will join, promising to raise the level of the league by 2030. Cleveland will debut in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in the following season. This expansion is subject to the approval of the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors.The three newly announced teams feature NBA ownership groups. Each has paid a $250 million expansion fee, demonstrating the growing interest and investment in professional women’s basketball. Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers, highlighted the synergy of extending the existing basketball infrastructure to the WNBA. Both Cleveland and Detroit have had teams in the WNBA in the past, while Philadelphia hosted a team in the ABL.“The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” commented WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Cathy Engelbert
Detroit sports stars like Grant Hill, Chris Webber, and Jared Goff will have minority stakes in the team. The ownership groups of Cleveland and Detroit will consider the previous team names, Rockers and Shock, but will conduct a thorough investigation before making a final decision. The Detroit and Cleveland teams will play in existing NBA stadiums, while Philadelphia plans to build a new building, hoping it will be finished by 2030. The incorporation of these three teams will generate natural rivalries on the east coast and between Detroit and Cleveland.“This is a great triumph for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “Today marks the long-awaited return of the WNBA to a city with deep roots in basketball and a tradition of championships.”
Tom Gores
Commissioner Engelbert praised the cities that submitted bids for expansion teams, including Houston, which had the Houston Comets. Engelbert emphasized the importance of distributing the expansion over several years so as not to dilute the available talent. Key performance indicators, such as attendance, television audiences, and sponsorships, have been on the rise in recent seasons. Barlage highlighted the community impact of having a professional women’s sports team, mentioning the growth of the women’s segment in the Cavaliers’ youth academy.“I think there are great historical rivalries in the NBA between these cities, and I think they will carry over to the WNBA,” said Detroit Pistons vice president Arn Tellem.
Arn Tellem
