The current WNBA expansion update has 14 cities fighting to get that 16th franchise. The latest boom for the league has numerous deep-pocketed owners looking to strike while the fan base, and profit, are very hot.
Most recently, the WNBA has seen four new ownership groups step forward to try to claim a franchise. The four are Milwaukee, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Cleveland. Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami(South Florida), Nashville, Orlando, and Philadelphia were already previously mentioned.
The WNBA expansion craze comes as the league is finally expanding for the first time since 2008 when the Atlanta Dream joined. Entering the league in 2025 will be the Golden State Valkyries, and in 2026, will be Toronto and Portland. This will set the league at 15 teams for the 2026 season.
League commissioner Cathy Engelbert has stated that the goal is to reach 16 teams by 2028. However, with this much interest in getting that 16th franchise, odds are this expansion team will likely join in 2027. There’s also the possibility that the league doesn’t stop at 16 teams. Overall interest in women’s basketball is at an all-time high.
For Engelbert and the league to halt expansion at 16 teams might be foolish with this many interested ownership groups. In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics. The WNBA could pause expansion for that year and then add two more franchises for 2029. If there’s still enough interest by then then the league could pursue reaching 20 teams by 2030 or 2031.
Until the league decides whether they’ll expand past 16 teams, here’s a breakdown of the current 14 cities and their likelihood of landing team #16.
Austin, TX
Austin does not have any major league sports franchises. Former WNBA player Fran Harris wants to change that. Current NBA player Kevin Durant has also added his name as a potential investor in the expansion team. There is no word as to where the team would play or if there’s an adequate practice facility immediately available. A smaller market compared to most other bidding cities may be a turnoff. The exact ownership group is also currently uncertain.
Expansion odds: 5%
Charlotte
Charlotte is one of six former WNBA cities looking to revive a franchise. The current NBA team is not the interested ownership group looking to bring back the Charlotte Sting, However, Hornets forward Grant Williams has said he’s involved with the pursuit of a WNBA expansion team for Charlotte. There’s some lack of details on the ownership group leading this expansion bid. Furthermore, there’s no word on whether the team would play at Spectrum Center or elsewhere. The Charlotte Sting was an inaugural franchise that played in the league from 1997 to 2006. Additionally, there was an attempt to relocate the Sting to Kansas City for the 2007 season but the attempt fell short.
Expansion odds: 35%
Cleveland
Another former franchise is looking to be revived as well with Cleveland as the latest addition to the WNBA expansion mix. Rock Entertainment Group, which is also tied to the NBA’s Cavaliers, is trying to bring a WNBA expansion team to Cleveland. Cleveland was home to the Rockers from 1997 to 2003.
However, the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer owned by Gordon Gund who folded the Rockers after the 2003 season. Furthermore, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse would be the home for the expansion team. The late addition to the expansion mix might delay Cleveland’s odds but might put them on the shortlist for future expansion if the league goes past 16 teams.
Expansion odds: 60%
Denver
Denver has been in talks with Cathy Engelbert for over a year in trying to obtain a WNBA franchise. The team would not be tied to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and as of now, the team would not play at Ball Arena. The ownership group is looking to place the team at Denver University’s Magness Arena. A smaller arena without a dedicated practice facility was the main reason why Denver has not landed a WNBA franchise.
If the group can negotiate a deal to play a Ball Arena, then their chances would greatly increase. Additionally, the National Women’s Basketball League’s (2001-2006) most successful franchise was the Colorado Chill which played in Fort Collins.
“Engelbert visited Denver in August of 2023, where she met with the Mayor’s office and an investor group that included IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen, Stonebridge CEO Navin Dimond and his daughter Ashley Dimond. The Denver Post reported that former Denver Nuggets player Bill Hanzlik was also involved in potential planning.“
Expansion odds: 5% (at Magness Arena); 50% (at Ball Arena)
Detroit
The NBA’s Detroit Pistons are one of a handful of men’s franchises looking to cash in on the WNBA’s growth currently. As of May 2024, the Pistons have “been in conversation” with the WNBA to advocate for the return of the Detroit Shock as part of the league’s future expansion plans.
From 1989 to 2009, the Detroit Shock played in the league before relocating to Tulsa, OK. The Tulsa Shock then relocated to Dallas and became the Wings in 2016. In addition, the Shock won three WNBA championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008. No word if the the newly revived Shock would play at Little Caesars Arena or elsewhere like Calihan Hall or Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
Expansion odds: 25%
Houston
Could the Houston Comets be returning to the WNBA? Another potentially revived franchise is the in works through Houston Rockets multi-billionaire owner Tilman Fertitta. The Comets won the league’s first four championships (1997-200) and became the first dynasty for the WNBA. Former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander sold the Comets to furniture salesman Hilton Koch in 2007, who looked to sell the team a year later. The Comets would fold after the 2008 season.
Fertitta is also pursuing an NHL franchise and Houston might be one of two cities chosen if the NHL moves forward with expansion. Would a Comets revival get derailed if Fertitta receives his NHL franchise?
Expansion odds: 80%
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the smallest market in the expansion mix currently. Former WNBA President, Donna Orender (2005-2010), is exploring the option to bring a WNBA franchise to Jacksonville. Orender is part of an investment group hoping to bring the WNBA back to Florida. The ownership group has stated that the team would play at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
In addition, the arena has a capacity of 14,091 for basketball and Jacksonville’s only major league sports team is the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville might be the dark horse in a potential WNBA expansion franchise despite Orender’s history with the league.
Expansion odds: 5%
Kansas City
Kansas City has recently emerged as a front-runner for a WNBA expansion franchise. Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is part of the ownership group leading the way to purchase a WNBA franchise. Mahomes is also part owner of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. The Current is the first NWSL franchise to have their own stadium and nearby training facility built for them.
The WNBA team would play their games at the T-Mobile Center which was built in 2007. T-Mobile Center currently does not have a full-time sports tenant but has hosted many Big 12 tournaments plus several NCAA men’s and women’s tournament games as well.
Expansion odds: 85%
Miami
Miami joins the list of another former franchise looking to be revived. The Miami Sol played in the league from 2000 to 2002 before folding shortly before the 2003 season. Miami’s bid seems doubtful though. Engelbert has mentioned “South Florida” among the list of top expansion candidates but there’s been no evidence of a potential ownership group. Is Miami the likely city? Or could this team play in Sunrise, Florida at the Amerant Bank Arena? It’s hard to gauge the likelihood of South Florida landing an expansion team without more details.
Expansion odds: 2%
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is another recent addition to the list of potential WNBA expansion candidates. The NBA’s Bucks are leading the way in bringing a franchise to Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee once had professional women’s basketball before. The Milwaukee Does played in the Women’s Pro Basketball League (WBL) for three seasons (1978-1980) before the league folded in 1981.
Another deep-pocketed NBA franchise looking to get in on the women’s basketball frenzy as soon as possible. Also, the Bucks would have everything already in place and Fiserv Forum is rarely used during the summer months.
Expansion odds: 80%
Nashville
WNBA expansion into Nashville appears unlikely. Cathy Engelbert visited Nashville and Bridgestone Arena in May and called it a “non-WNBA trip”. Furthermore, she added “Every time I come back from a city, I’m like, ‘This would be a great city for a WNBA team,’ ” Engelbert said during a meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors group at the league offices in Manhattan in May.
However, there’s currently no known ownership group pursuing a WNBA franchise. Additionally, Nashville continues to be mentioned in Engelbert’s list of potential landing spots despite a lack of a potential owner. The American Basketball League had the Nashville Noise for its final season in 1998-1999.
Expansion odds: 15%
Orlando
The NBA’s Orlando Magic are now the sixth NBA team looking to invest in a possible WNBA franchise. In September the NBA franchise said they were “studying” the WNBA’s business model. The city had the Orlando Miracle for just four seasons before they were relocated to Connecticut in 2003. Unfortunately, there’s been no concrete evidence besides a small statement from the Magic. The overall lack of details surrounding this potential expansion franchise greatly limits their odds.
Expansion odds: 12%
Philadephia
The NBA’s Sixers had formally launched their bid for a WNBA expansion franchise. Back in September, while revealing their plans for a new downtown area, the Sixers announced that a WNBA expansion franchise is “in the process”. Philadelphia once had an ABL franchise from 1997-1999 that featured Dawn Staley. Having a new expansion team playing in a new arena might be too good to pass up. However, the new arena may not be completed until 2030.
A 76ers spokesperson confirmed the news to Front Office Sports:
“We share in Mayor Parker’s desire to bring a WNBA franchise to Philadelphia and have been engaged with the league on the process,” the spokesperson said. “Our goal is for our new arena to serve as home to both the 76ers and a WNBA franchise.”
Expansion odds: 75%
St. Louis
The latest addition to the WNBA expansion mix is St. Louis. This potential bid is led by Boston Celtics player, Jayson Tatum. Tatum has “informally” agreed to support a billionaire-backed ownership bid to bring a WNBA expansion team to St. Louis. The group is co-led by Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman; Chaifetz has been involved in bids for NBA, MLB, and NFL teams previously, while Hoffman owns a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.
No word on whether this team would play at Enterprise Center or another arena in the St. Louis area like Chaifetz Arena. St. Louis last had a pro basketball team with the Spirit of St. Louis in the old ABA from 1974-1976. St. Louis’ recent addition does lack some details and hasn’t been mentioned on Engelbert’s shortlist of possible future expansion cities.
Expansion odds: 45%
Summary & Rankings
The below rankings are based on the odds of each city landing a WNBA expansion franchise. Those in smaller markets, without a known ownership group, or those lacking more details have fallen lower on the list. Those with NBA ties, deep-pocketed owners, and a solid arena and training facility are ranked higher. The overall final projection is that the WNBA does not stop at adding only one more franchise.
Overall, the numerous prospective owners should see the league expand past 16 teams almost immediately. Pairing up expansion with the league’s latest billion-dollar TV deal and a new CBA should see the league reach 20 teams by 2030 or 2031.
- Kansas City
- Houston
- Milwaukee
- Philadelphia
- Cleveland
- Denver
- St. Louis
- Charlotte
- Detroit
- Nashville
- Orlando
- Austin
- Jacksonville
- Miami
If the league opts to expand to 20 teams, could the WNBA be looking at divisions? With the top 5 ranked cities above, this could potentially be what the league could look like with a four-division alignment.
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