It’s a historic day in the WNBA, as the league announced its expansion to 18 teams by 2030. However, there are key changes that must come with expansion.
On Monday morning, the WNBA announced that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia have been granted WNBA franchises. With the news, the league will have a total of 18 teams within the next five years. Currently, there are 13 teams in the WNBA, including the Golden State Valkyries, who are in the midst of a remarkable inaugural season. Golden State marks the first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream in 2008, and this only further proves the explosion of women’s sports.
The announcement comes one season after several record-breaking milestones were achieved. Having experienced exponential growth over the years, the WNBA saw a historic rise in viewership, attendance, merchandise sales, digital consumption, and social media engagement in 2024.
Rather than calling this big reveal an ‘expansion, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert states this is “far more than an expansion of our league—it’s an evolution.”
“The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert…..It’s a transformational investment in the future of women’s sports with more teams, more roster spots, and more scale and visibility.”
Bidding Requirements and Qualifications
With the Golden State Valkyries now in their inaugural season, new expansion teams, including WNBA Portland and the Toronto Tempo, are set to take the league by storm in 2026. WNBA Cleveland is expected to enter the league by 2028, followed by WNBA Detroit in 2029 and WNBA Philadelphia in 2030. Acknowledging historic franchise fees, Engelbert stated that the league meticulously evaluated 25 different criteria when reviewing the bids. As it turns out, all three expansion franchises have ties to the NBA. When assessing each bid, Engelbert mentioned that demographics, psychographics, corporate partnerships, market potential, and fan bases were specific criteria the league focuses on.
Staggering expansion over a span of five years, Commissioner Engelbert emphasized the importance of adding teams at a steady pace.
“We’re very cognizant that you can’t bring them in all at once,” said Engelbert. In scheduling out, we know we have two expansion teams next year… It seemed to make sense to take [2027] off, and then bring in these three teams one a year—in 2028, 2029, and 2030. We’re excited for that trajectory, and then by the end of the decade, it brings us to 18 teams.”
As the WNBA Expands, Questions Remain Around Salaries, Roster Sizes, and Facilities
While the expansion news is historic, several questions loom. The WNBPA is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the league, which is set to expire on October 31, 2025. With that in mind, it’s a pivotal time in the WNBA, meaning the new CBA has the power to alter the entire trajectory of women’s sports. Paige Bueckers, selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is set to earn $78,831 in her first year under a rookie-scale contract. The last overall pick will earn as little as $66,070 in their first year. The WNBPA is “demanding salaries that reflect our true value.”
In addition to fair pay, players have been vocal about roster expansion and proper training facilities. Among 13 teams, the WNBA holds a limited 156 roster spots. With 11–12 roster spots on each team, players are often signed to hardship contracts due to injuries, personal reasons, and international commitments. Led by the Las Vegas Aces— the Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty have all invested in state of the art facilities and amenities. Still, there are several franchises that lack the proper resources. The Valkyries have set a high standard among future expansion teams with exceptional branding, attendance, and amenities.
The WNBA is Headed Back to The Land
Since the WNBA’s inaugural launch in 1997, the Cleveland Rockers (1997-2003), and Portland Fire (2000-2022) are defunct franchises. Operating under head coaches Dan Hughes and Linda Hill-MacDonald for seven seasons, the Rockers failed to capture a WNBA Championship under Gordan Gund’s ownership. However, Cleveland made four playoff appearances during their short tenure, and Merlakia Jones, Janice Braxton, Rushia Brown, and Penny Taylor were considered among the best to ever don a Rockers uniform. Due to declining viewership and financial hardship, the Rockers franchise folded in 2003.
Set to bring a WNBA franchise back to the Land, Cleveland will be owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group and is expecting to play home games at Rocket Arena in 2028. Part of Dan Gilbert’s group, he’s awarded the newest franchise after purchasing the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. Having been a crucial part of the LeBron James era—during which the Cavaliers won their first championship in 2016—Dan Gilbert also owns the Cleveland Charge (G League) and the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group, stated in today’s press conference that the Gilbert family will invest $1.1 billion in ‘sports and entertainment related infrastructure’ by 2028.
Will Cleveland Bring back the Rockers?
Join the party at https://t.co/PyyCMcUrkw. pic.twitter.com/3FGPMoBU8t
— Cleveland WNBA (@clevelandwnba) June 30, 2025
In light of the announcement, Barlage recognized original Cleveland players who set the tone and served as trailblazers, Janice Braxton and Rushia Brown, both of whom were in attendance today. Barlage was clear about the franchise’s intent to continue uplifting women’s sports as the organization embarks on a new journey. The announcement comes at an exciting time, as the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off their second-best season in franchise history with 64 wins.
“You [Janice Braxtion and Rushia Brown] opened this door of opportunity almost three decades ago,” said Barlage. “And now, we can’t wait to lock arms and step through it with you in this new journey, and with these new dimensions of growing the game of women’s professional basketball….We can’t wait to be a beacon of hope and aspiration for all the girls and women that look up to the players in the WNBA.”
As far as branding goes, Barlage emphasized that establishing a brand identity will be a ‘process.’ Nearly three decades have passed, and Barlage recognizes the city of Cleveland is in a different state than it was thirty years ago.
“We will never ignore the history of what we had with the Rockers,” said Barlage. “I think that’s something you really want to continue to pay homage to and build on… It’s really important to be thoughtful and inclusive as we go through a brand identity process. It’s an opportunity to serve our community. It’s an opportunity to reach out and wrap our arms around young girls and young women that want to be involved in sports.”
One of the WNBA’s Most Iconic Franchises
A look back at the Detroit Shock winning their first WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP back in 2003 🏆
The city of Detroit is FINALLY getting another WNBA franchise is 2029 pic.twitter.com/fBJdzexOei
— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) June 30, 2025
Founded in 1998, the Detroit Shock were considered one of the most iconic franchises in WNBA history. Winning three championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008, the organization housed some of the greatest pioneers to ever grace the hardwood—Swin Cash, Ruth Riley, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, and Deanna ‘Tweety’ Nolan, just to name a few. One of the first expansion teams, the franchise was ultimately moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2019, following the death of owner Bill Davidson.
Notorious for overcoming one of the worst records to WNBA Champions, the franchise eventually relocated to Dallas, currently known as the Dallas Wings in 2016.
“These are proud cities with powerful sports legacies, each one rich in basketball tradition and fueled by passionate fan bases, said Engelbert.” “What we know, they will show up for the W. Now they join the most elite women’s sports league in the world.”
Set to enter the league in 2029, the WNBA Detroit franchise was awarded to owners Tom Gores and his wife, Holly. Owner of the Detroit Pistons and CEO of Platinum Equity—it’s an exciting time to be a Detroit sports fan. Not only are the Pistons coming off a playoff appearance after a five-year drought, but they also miraculously turned things around following a franchise worst 14–68 record in the 2023–2024 season. In the NFL, the Detroit Lions have been knocking on the Super Bowl’s door under Dan Campbell, following a six-year playoff drought.
The WNBA Returns to Detroit
Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of Pistons Sports and Entertainment, was in attendance in New York today, along with Deanna “Tweety”Nolan.
“The W is back in Detroit!” said Arn Tellum. “Much like the WNBA, we’re aligned perfectly. Detroit’s on its way back, and the WNBA is surging. Couldn’t be a better match. “
Crediting owner Tom Gores for his unwavering support and commitment, Tellum acknowledged the fan base in Detroit and the success that followed during the Detroit Shock era.
“We’re so proud to have them here,” said Tellum on the ownership group. ” It shows, to me, the belief in the WNBA, and it really is about Detroit pride, our belief, and this great city’s future. I want to thank most of all—the incredible fans of the city of Detroit, who love basketball. Basketball has a great history in Detroit.”
With his remarks, Tellum was quick to point out the Detroit Shock, a franchise that forever changed the landscape of the WNBA. One of the biggest “what ifs” in league history, the team disappeared from the spotlight, and swept away before the eyes of heartbroken fans. Now, Detroit will reunite the city with women’s basketball.
“It [Detroit] had a great run with the Shock, Tellum said in Monday’s presser. “We led the league in attendance three years in a row. We set a record for attendance in the playoffs for an individual game. There’s a great fan support in Detroit, and we can’t wait to have it back in our city. We ave more people that are interested in investing in this team because they believe in women’s sports, the growth of the WNBA, and Detroits incredible comeback story.”
The WNBA is Headed To Philadelphia in 2030
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) will be granted the WNBA Philadelphia franchise, slated to become the 18th expansion team. Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, HBSE purchased the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. Known as a “sports city,” fans in Philadelphia are passionate about several collegiate and professional sports teams. Most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 59.
“This is your team,” said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner and Co-Founder Josh Harris. “Philadelphia is a city that is about sports and basketball in particular, including generations of extraordinary women’s basketball talent, athletes who have shaped the game, and inspired countless others. For me and the community, bringing the WNBA to Philly wasn’t just a nice to have—it was an obligation.”
Will The WNBA Bring Back The Houston Comets?
With massive growth, Engelbert acknowledged the WNBA had a “huge” demand for expansion bids. According to Doug Fienberg of the Associated Press, St. Louis, Houston, Kansas City, Nashville, Denver, and Charlotte all made bids for a WNBA expansion team. Not chosen, the Comets are one of six WNBA defunct franchises.
One of the founding WNBA franchises in 1997, the Comets selected Tina Thompson first overall in the inaugural draft. Having won four championships in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000—the franchise housed some of the most elite players to ever play the game, including Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Thompson.
Although they folded due to financial constraints in 2008, the Comets remain one of the most important and dominant dynasties in WNBA history, alongside the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm. On Monday, Engelbert stated “that’s the one we have our eye on,” in terms of landing a team back in Houston.
One things for certain, the WNBA is growing substantially, along with the popularity and talent in NCAA Women’s basketball. With increased visibility, the league has drawn an increased amount of exposure—both internationally and globally. With ground breaking partnerships, sponsorships, talent, and level of interest—the time is now!
Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X @SaraJGamelli.
