The WNBA announced that the league will expand to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia by 2030.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced on June 30 during a live press conference that the league would expand to 18 teams.
“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 Engelbert.
“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.”
The WNBA Growth
Last year, Engelbert expressed that the league would expand to 16 teams by 2028. Needless to say, the league has reached that goal by adding two extra teams.
The Golden State Valkyries began play as the 13th expansion team this season. Both the Toronto Tempo and the Portland expansion team will begin play in 2026.
During the June 30 press conference, Engelbert announced that Cleveland will begin play in 2028. Cleveland and Detroit will begin play in 2029 and Philadelphia will begin play in 2030.
Both Cleveland and Detroit had past WNBA teams before they became inactive. The Cleveland Rockers were one of the original WNBA teams in 1997 but ceased operations due to financial struggles.
On the flip side, the Detroit Shock was one of the most winning franchises and one of the league’s first expansion teams. The Shock relocated to Tulsa in 2010 and became the Tulsa Shock, which is now the Dallas Wings.
WNBA Welcomes Back “Forest City”
Each ownership group for the three upcoming franchises is committed to investing more money in practice facilities and other amenities. While Cleveland is no stranger to the WNBA, there was an authentic sense of enthusiasm as Nic Barlage, CEO of RockEntertainment Group and the Cavaliers took the stage.
“It’s such a natural fit that when you already have this basket-related infrastructure, these strategies, cultures that you find to be successful combinations of personnel that you find to be successful,” said Nic Barlage.
“Extending that into the WNBA, is just a natural next progression, especially if you have a desire to grow like we do.”
While the WNBA is returning to Cleveland, the franchise may not be reclaiming the Rockers title. “Rockers will be a part of the mix for sure but we are at this point. We’re not going to commit to a brand identity because we want to really get into it with our fans.”
“The Motor City”
Detroit Pistons Vice President Arn Tellem took the podium with excitement and presented a WNBA Detroit shirt to Engelbert. He exclaimed, “This is for you Detroit.”
“I think there’s some great historical rivalries in the NBA among these cities and, I think that will carry over to the WNBA,” said Tellem. “I would love nothing more to have a rivalry like we do in the NBA with Cleveland and Indiana, Philadelphia and New York, and all these great cities and, and I think we will.”
Detroit played a huge part in the early success of the WNBA and the new franchise will come with a solid foundation.
“The City that Loves you Back”
Over the last few years, Philadelphia has continued to be attached to rumors for WNBA expansion. The city expressed its interest along with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker last year.
Josh Harris, the Co-Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment represented Philadelphia during the June 30 press conference. “We tell the city it’s going to open in 2031. We’re hoping for 2030,” said Harris.
“So we’re trying to underpromise and overdeliver. But, right now, it’s 2031, so that we have a year gap, you know. We’ve got the Xfinity Center, the Wells Fargo, they’ll play there.”
With the WNBA continuing to break viewership records, merchandise sales, and ongoing CBA conversations, the league is soaring in a positive direction.
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