• Loading stock data...
Monday, May 5, 2025

WNBA Commissioner Explores Denver Expansion, Broader Markets

  • WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert will visit Denver on Wednesday.
  • Denver has been among the league’s top choices to potentially place new teams.
A close up of a WNBA basketball
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA will take its next steps toward expansion this week when commissioner Cathy Engelbert visits Denver to meet with a group pushing for a new team in Colorado.

Denver was among the cities Engelbert mentioned to Front Office Sports earlier this year as potential targets.

On Wednesday, the group — which includes Denver-based IMA Financial Group chief executive Robert Cohen — will show the WNBA potential venues for play and practice, according to the Denver Post. 

Along with Denver, other markets the WNBA is considering are the Bay Area, Nashville, Toronto, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Portland, and Austin — the latter of which is currently seeking investors for a potential ownership group. 

Not So Fast?

Expansion could come as soon as 2025, but Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, the WNBA’s reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, recently told FOS she thinks the treatment of the league’s current 144 players should be prioritized before adding new teams or expanding roster sizes.

The Aces will host the New York Liberty on Tuesday night in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final at 9 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. Now in its third year, the in-season tournament awards $30,000 to each player on the winning team, while the runners up will get $10,000 each.

Aces-Liberty also represents a possible WNBA Finals preview, as the teams have the two best records in the league with about a month left in the regular season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 5, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors co-executive director & chief executive officer Joe Lacob, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Warriors co-executive director Peter Guber pose for a group photo during a press conference to announce an expansion WNBA franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area at Chase Center.

Warriors, Valkyries Coexist Without Arena Conflict—for Now

The Valkyries are expected to be at the bottom of the standings.
Sep 26, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; David Kohler on the second hole during day two four-ball rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits.

Ryder Cup Comeback? Billionaire Owner Eyes Whistling Straits Return

The course has hosted the Ryder Cup and PGA championships.

NBA Misses a Dynasty Duel—but Gains a Star-Making Moment

The Warriors defeated the Rockets in seven games.

F1 Doubles Down on U.S. With Record-Setting Miami GP Extension

After four editions of the race, F1 is loving South Florida.

Featured Today

Athlos

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
Mint juelps
May 3, 2025

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.
Mar 30, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough (10) runs the ball as DC Defenders cornerback Kiondre Thomas (24) defends in the second half at Audi Field.
May 5, 2025

UFL, Union Sign New CBA, Which Runs Through 2026 Season

The new agreement raises minimum salaries by more than $7,000.
May 5, 2025

2027 NFL Draft in Washington, D.C., Expected to Draw 1 Million Fans

President Donald Trump announced the move on Monday afternoon.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
May 3, 2025

Sovereignty Wins Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Purse

The total purse was raised to $5 million last year.
Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) passes the ball against Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith (1) during the second half of a basketball game at Wintrust Arena.
May 2, 2025

WNBA Takes Its Preseason College Series to a New Level

Multiple preseason WNBA games will be broadcast nationally.
May 2, 2025

TGL Team Owner Marc Lasry: TV Ratings Peak Was 4X Better Than..

Lasry said TGL would have been happy with 250,000 viewers per match.
May 2, 2025

Mets, Dodgers, Pitch Clock Push MLB to Best April Attendance Since 2017

The league eyes a third straight boost at the gates this season.