• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

WNBA Eyes 16th Team by 2028: Engelbert Evaluates Candidates

  • The WNBA is looking to add a 16th franchise by 2028.
  • Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said around a dozen cities have shown interest in a WNBA expansion franchise.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Despite announcing three expansion teams since last September, commissioner Cathy Engelbert has stated the WNBA wants to add one more by 2028—a 16th franchise that would tie the record high the league had from 2000 to 2002.

At a press conference last Thursday, Engelbert said there are about “10 to 12 cities” that the league is evaluating for an expansion franchise. 

She added that the league is in “no rush” to add another team due to the three new additions, though the goal would be for the 16th franchise to join the league by 2027 and no later than 2028.

What Are the Options?

Engelbert has mentioned several candidates in the past for a potential expansion team, including Philadelphia, Nashville, Denver, and somewhere in South Florida. 

Last month, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker, during a public plan to discuss a potential downtown arena for the 76ers, announced the franchise is “expected to submit a bid” for a WNBA expansion team. Engelbert repeated Thursday that Philadelphia is “on the list” of expansion candidates.

Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami may also explore bids, Sports Business Journal reported last month. Former WNBA president Donna Orender is part of an investment group looking interested in a bid for Jacksonville. The front office of the NBA’s Magic is also reportedly “studying” a potential team in Orlando. 

Both Orlando and Miami had WNBA franchises in the early 2000s. The Miami Sol lasted just three years in the league, folding in 2002, while the Orlando Miracle relocated to Connecticut in 2003 and became the Sun.

According to Engelbert, the winning bid will have the same qualities as the other three expansion franchises, with an emphasis on the arena and practice facility.

“It’s all the same types of things I’ve been talking about for the other three around [the] arena, practice facility, player experience, committed long-term ownership group, city, demographics, psychographics, Fortune 500 companies based there,” Engelbert said. 

Known Expansion Teams

There will be 13 teams starting next season as the Golden State Valkyries, who are still without any players, but named former Las Vegas Aces assistant Natalie Nakase their head coach last week, will join the fray. 

Golden State is owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who also run the NBA’s Warriors and reportedly paid an expansion fee of $50 million. The two Golden State teams will share the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Earlier this year, teams in Toronto and Portland were announced, with both set to join by 2026.

The Toronto team will be owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, led by Toronto-based billionaire Larry Tanenbaum. Unlike Tanenbaum’s involvement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment—which owns the NBA’s Raptors, NHL’s Maple Leafs, and MLS’s Toronto FC—this team is not under the MLSE umbrella. The reported $115 million price tag for the franchise includes both the expansion fee and the cost of a new practice facility.

Portland’s WNBA team will not share the same owners as the Trail Blazers, its NBA counterpart, but the ownership group still has ties to both the NBA and local sports. The Bhathal family, owners of the NWSL’s Portland Thorns and co-owners of the NBA’s Kings, were awarded the franchise in September. It’s unclear how much they shelled out for the team.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Mar 27, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general overall view of the Crypto.com Arena with the March Madness Elite 8 and Sweet 16 logo at center court.

Media Exec on March Madness Expansion Potential: ‘Chump Change’

CBS and TNT pay about $1 billion a year for the media rights.

T-Wolves Face Roster-Building Questions After Another WCF Loss

The team has ownership stability entering this offseason.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
Sha'Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Startup Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of ‘advisor owners’ with equity in the league.
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.
May 29, 2025

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Sponsored

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

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Softball
May 29, 2025

MLB Makes Eight-Figure Investment in New Softball League 

Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball announced the deal Thursday morning.
May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
May 28, 2025

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

F1 will race in Monaco until at least 2031.
May 28, 2025

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.
May 28, 2025

PGA Tour’s $100M Playoffs Alter Bonus Payout for Tour Championship

The Tour Championship will no longer award $25 million to its winner.