*The WNBA is set to broaden its reach, announcing a five-year plan to introduce new teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, expanding the league to 18 teams.
According to Vibe, this move follows the addition of franchises in Toronto and Portland, with Portland slated to join in 2026. “These are proud cities with powerful sports legacies, each one rich in basketball tradition,” Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told CNBC. “This is a bold step forward as we grow our footprint.”
Per the news release: “The Cleveland team will begin play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. Each location was selected based on an analysis of market viability, committed long-term ownership groups, potential for significant local fan, corporate, media, and city and state support, arena and practice facilities, and community commitment to advancing the sport, among other factors.”
“The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” said Engelbert.
“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,” she added. “I am deeply grateful for our new owners and ownership groups – Dan Gilbert in Cleveland, Tom Gores in Detroit, and Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman, and Brian Roberts in Philadelphia – for their belief in the WNBA’s future and their commitment to building thriving teams that will energize and inspire their communities.”
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Engelbert continued, “We are excited for what these cities will bring to the league – and are confident that these new teams will reshape the landscape of women’s basketball.”
In Cleveland, Rock Entertainment Group will operate the team. Chairman Dan Gilbert called the league’s return a “monumental point” in the city’s sports history and emphasized the community’s role in bringing women’s professional basketball back.
Detroit’s franchise will be led by Pistons owner Tom Gores, his wife Holly, and a group of notable figures across sports, entertainment, and finance. Gores called it “a huge win” for both Detroit and the WNBA.
Philadelphia’s team, set to launch in 2030, will be owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Co-founder Josh Harris said the city, with its rich basketball legacy, deserves a WNBA team and committed to building a top-tier organization to grow the women’s game locally.
“We are committed to building a world-class organization, fostering the continued growth of women’s professional sports in this great city, and bringing one of the fastest rising leagues in the world to Philadelphia in 2030,” Harris said.
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