WNBA Announces 3 More U.S. Cities Are Getting Franchises
The WNBA is expanding.
The league announced on Monday, June 30 that three more U.S. cities are getting teams. In recent years, the league has added teams in San Francisco (2025), Portland (2026) and Toronto (2026). However, the league isn't done growing.
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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the big news on Monday morning, June 30.
The league's commissioner announced that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will all be getting WNBA franchises. Cleveland will begin play in 2028 while Detroit and Philadelphia will begin play in 2029.
All three ownership groups paid a $250 million expansion fee. It's about five times as much as Golden State's ownership group paid. The three ownership groups will also be investing money into practice facilities and more.
The WNBA will officially reach 18 teams by 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,' Engelbert said. '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.'
May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) shake hands before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and the Cavaliers, is excited for Cleveland.
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'It's such a natural fit that when you already have this basketball-related infrastructure, these strategies, cultures that you find to be successful, combinations of personnel that you find to be successful,' he said. 'Extending that into the WNBA, is just a natural next progression, especially if you have a desire to grow like we do.'
Detroit is excited, too.
'This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,' Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores said.
'Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Detroit played a key role in the league's early growth, and we're proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights. Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.'
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It'll be fun to see just how much the WNBA can continue to grow moving forward.
WNBA Announces 3 More U.S. Cities Are Getting Franchises first appeared on The Spun on Jun 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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