The WNBA have confirmed expansion plans that will see three new franchises joining the league from 2028.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert held a press conference on Monday morning to reveal that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will register teams in the league.
Engelbert said: ‘The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family.
‘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.’
As it stands, Cleveland will be the first to join the league, in 2028, with Detroit joining the following year and Philadelphia the season after that.
Both Cleveland and Detroit previously had franchises in the WNBA, while Philadelphia also had a team in the American Basketball League – which ran from 1996-98.
The WNBA confirmed expansion plans that will see three new franchises joining the league
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed the news at a press conference on Monday
The ownership groups of Cleveland and Detroit have said that their previous names – Rockers and Shock – will be considered but that due diligence will be taken before reaching a decision on the franchise name.
A number of cities – including the likes of St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Miami, Denver – all bid on teams but saw their attempts fall unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, all three of the new teams have NBA ownerships groups – who each paid $250million expansion fee in order to get their franchises in the league.
Engelbert continued: ‘We didn’t know the demand would be where the demand ended up when we ran the process last fall into the winter.
‘Given the very high demand and supply, we wanted to evaluate, too, because we’re very careful about, you know, making sure we’re balancing the number of roster spots, the number of teams.
‘But one thing I’m very struck by as we get into a new media deal, as the media market evolves, you know, being in these three big basketball cities is going to help from a media perspective, a corporate partners perspective.’
The news comes amid a boom in WNBA interest following the endeavors of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who has taken the league by storm since being drafted.
In no small part due to Clark’s effect on the league, the WNBA secured a new 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video NBCUniversal worth a reported $2.2billion, which is set to begin in 2026.
Caitlin Clark has driven record viewership and attendance numbers in the WNBA since arriving
There has already been a prominent breakaway women’s league since Clark joined the WNBA, as the 3-on-3 Unrivaled launched last winter.
Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and the Cavaliers said: ‘It’s such a natural fit that when you already have this basketball-related infrastructure, these strategies, cultures that you find to be successful, combinations of personnel that you find to be successful.
‘Extending that into the WNBA, is just a natural next progression, especially if you have a desire to grow like we do.’
Meanwhile, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores said: ‘This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA. Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition.
‘Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights.
‘Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.’
