• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

76ers Co-Owner David Adelman Would Invest in Philadelphia WNBA Team

  • Toronto and Oakland are the next most-likely WNBA home cities by 2025, Adelman said.
  • Adelman says the NBA wants to keep WNBA teams from sharing majority ownership with NBA franchises.
The NBA prefers WNBA team owners to not also be majority NBA team owners.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers co-owner David Adelman has offered to invest in bringing an expansion WNBA team to Philadelphia as part of a group led by comedian Wanda Sykes. However, the billionaire real estate mogul cautioned that the NBA does not want NBA majority team owners also to be controlling owners in WNBA teams.

“Wanda Sykes is kind of leading the group looking to do the WNBA team. I’ve been deeply involved in discussions with them. I’ve offered to personally invest,” Adelman told Crossing Broad Sports. “We feel strongly, and the NBA feels strongly, that the control owner of a WNBA team shouldn’t be an NBA owner. […] This rhetoric of the Sixers owning the WNBA team, I would just tell you that’s not where the league wants this to go. They want it to be another person where it’s what they’re getting up and thinking about every day.”

Five of the 12 current WNBA teams share ownership with their NBA counterparts—the Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, and Washington Mystics.

The Athletic reported in 2022 that Sykes was part of a group formed to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia. Adelman, who Forbes estimated to have $2 billion net worth, also said his potential investment in a WNBA team would hinge on the 76ers owning its proposed new arena rather than its current lease with Comcast’s Wells Fargo Center that ends in 2031.

“I’m not going to bring a WNBA team right now and sign a second lease at the Wells Fargo Center. I’m already having issues in my current lease,” he said on Crossing Broad Sports.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert wants two expansion teams for the 2025 season, with the Bay Area, Toronto, Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, Charlotte, and Austin being mentioned as possibilities. Adelman, who purchased a 10% stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment last year, thinks Toronto and Oakland will be the next cities to get WNBA teams. 

“If you talk to Cathy (Engelbert), the commissioner, they’ve kind of signaled that the next round of expansion, and no one’s quoted this, looks like Toronto and Oakland,” Adelman said. “I think that will be 2024 or 2025. You’re talking ’27, ’28, or ’29 until they’re even going to do the next round of expansion teams. So I’m not sure why we’re getting all stirred up. But on a personal level, I’ve committed that I’d throw some money into the deal because I think it’s important.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Fever and Bonner Heading for a Breakup? Here’s What We Know

The Fever are exploring options as DeWanna Bonner seeks a fresh start.

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.

World Cup, NFL Draft, New Stadiums in PA … and No State..

Growing sports-related needs conflict with budget worries in the commonwealth.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jun 22, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.

PGA Tour’s $20M Signature Events Finish 2025 Season Up in TV Ratings

The Travelers Championship was the last of eight elevated events this year.
June 23, 2025

NBA Offseason: Draft Drama, Free Agency, and a Critical Owners Meeting

The 2025 NBA draft will be on June 25 and 26.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
June 24, 2025

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 23, 2025

NBA Conference Gap Wider Than Ever Amid Injuries to East’s Best

A team from the West has won the NBA title 17 times since 2000.
June 22, 2025

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.
June 22, 2025

WNBA Players Drop Fresh Statement in CBA Fight: ‘We Want a Fair..

The WNBA All-Star Game is less than four weeks away.
June 20, 2025

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.