• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

What’s Next for League Expansion After a Busy 2024

Come 2025 and 2026, expansion teams are on the way for major U.S. leagues, especially in women’s sports.

Aug 23, 2024; Sandy, Utah, USA; Utah Royals FC forward Hannah Betfort (33) signs autographs after the match against Bay FC at America First Field.
Peter Creveling/Imagn Images

On Dec. 6, the WNBA held its first expansion draft since 2008, a moment that signified a lot more than 11 rotation players hearing their names called.

Money is flooding women’s sports like never before, and league expansion is one byproduct. Some men’s leagues have expressed interest in growing in the near future, but it’s the women who have announced nearly all upcoming expansion teams.

The year started with a full new women’s league. Backed by Dodgers owner Mark Walter, the PWHL began its inaugural season on Jan. 1 with six teams. The league several times set a record for the highest-attended women’s hockey game, and in September unveiled names and logos for each franchise.

In March, the NWSL welcomed Bay FC and the Utah Royals, the only expansion teams in a major U.S. league to debut in 2024. Bay FC, along with Boston’s upcoming NWSL team, holds the record for the highest expansion fee in league history with $53 million. The Royals played three seasons from 2018–2020 before they were sold and moved to Kansas City, where they became the Current. The new Utah Royals are a sister team with MLS’s Real Salt Lake, both under the ownership of David Blitzer and Ryan Smith. Smith also owns the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club.

Once 2025 hits, expansion will pick up across several leagues:

  • The Golden State Valkyries will become the WNBA’s 13 franchise, the first of a series of expansions that commissioner Cathy Engelbert hopes will bring the league to 16 teams by 2028.
  • MLS’s San Diego FC, the lone men’s team on this list, will also begin play next year. The club built a new facility it expected would cost $150 million and held its expansion draft earlier this month.
  • The PWHL announced in October it will add two expansion teams likely ahead of the 2025–2026 season. The league has plenty of interested cities, including Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City, and because it’s centrally owned, it has full control over where its seventh and eighth teams land.
Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images

In 2026, women’s leagues will continue growing:

Both the WNBA and NWSL have been open about their intentions to continue expansion beyond the already announced teams. More than a dozen cities have publicly pined for a WNBA franchise or been named by Engelbert as a contender for the remaining bid. Meanwhile, the NWSL has reportedly entered into exclusive negotiations with Denver to become its 16th team.

The major four men’s leagues are staggered in their thoughts on expansion. Despite speculation, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said this fall that the league is “not going through an expansion process.” Roger Goodell is more focused on expanding the NFL internationally than domestically at the moment. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he wants to have two expansion markets determined before he retires, which isn’t until 2029.

The NBA is the likeliest of the four to announce expansion plans sometime soon. Las Vegas has long been seen as the league’s unofficial 31st market as host of the Summer League and NBA Cup. The league has also teased longing Seattle SuperSonics fans with several preseason games in recent years. Commissioner Adam Silver has also pointed to Mexico City, which already has a G League team, as a legitimate option.

But for now, the expansion game is dominated by women’s leagues, and plenty of new franchises are coming down the pike as the calendar flips to 2025.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Massachusetts Sues Kalshi To Block Sports Prediction Markets

A lawsuit claims the company’s offerings are indistinguishable from traditional sports bets.

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Michelle Wu

Josh Kraft, Son of Patriots Owner, Leaves Boston Mayor Race After First-Round..

He challenged Mayor Wu over her support for White Stadium’s costly renovations.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Oct 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Thorns FC defender Meghan Klingenberg (25) passes th ball against Santa Fe during the first half at Providence Park

Saudi PIF’s Influence on Global Sports Is Growing After a Big 2024

Saudi Arabia left even more fingerprints on global sports.
December 30, 2024

An Unprecedented Year In Stadium Development Sets Up a Big, Busy 2025

Several major stadium and arena projects overcame obstacles to gain approval.
Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans hold fathead signs of Travis Kelce (not pictured) and Taylor Swift during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
December 31, 2024

10 Most Talked-About FOS Stories of 2024

The biggest headlines, scandals, and untold stories at FOS in 2024.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
December 28, 2024

FOS Crystal Ball: Predictions for the Business of Sports in 2025

Our staffers look toward 2025.
Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; The NFL shield logo at midfield during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena.
December 27, 2024

NFL Sets the Stage: The Year of Private Equity In Sports

The NFL’s new structure capped a watershed year in the space.
Apr 12, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jon Rahm reacts to his putt on the 18th green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
December 26, 2024

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s Year of Limbo—Again

After another year of stalemate, plenty of burning questions remain.
Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits into an out against the New York Yankees in the second inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium
December 25, 2024

This Was the Year of Shohei Ohtani—and He’s Just Getting Started

The Japanese superstar reset the salary market and further globalized baseball.