League to grow to 18 teams by 2030 as owners including Dan Gilbert and Josh Harris back long-term women’s sport investment
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has confirmed a major expansion into three new cities as part of its long-term growth strategy, with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia each awarded a franchise in the coming years.
The move will bring the league to 18 teams by the end of the decade, a milestone that underscores the rising commercial and cultural momentum behind women’s basketball in North America.
While the headline news broke June 30 in New York, the significance of the announcement will likely continue to resonate for some time as women’s sport is commanding record audiences and driving fresh commercial interest.
Pending final approval from the WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors, Cleveland will return to the league in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Golden State Valkyries made their on-court debut, with further expansion planned in Toronto and Portland from 2026.
Big names behind the bids
Ownership groups tied to existing NBA franchises feature prominently in the plans. In Cleveland, the team will be led by Dan Gilbert, chairman of Rock Entertainment Group and majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gilbert, who also oversees the Cleveland Charge and Cleveland Monsters, described the WNBA’s return to the city as a “pivotal moment for women’s sports” and a chance to “reinvigorate our WNBA fan base”.
Detroit’s team will be owned by Tom Gores, the Detroit Pistons chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity, supported by an investment group that includes high-profile figures from across sport, business and entertainment. The city previously hosted the Detroit Shock, one of the WNBA’s most successful early teams, until the franchise relocated in 2009.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Gores. “Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.”
The Philadelphia franchise, meanwhile, will be integrated into the portfolio of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), joining the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils under the stewardship of Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman and Brian Roberts. Harris called it “a new era of Philadelphia basketball” and credited civic leadership for helping bring the deal together.
Return to key markets, with an eye on the future
Both Cleveland and Detroit previously held WNBA franchises.
The Cleveland Rockers were a founding team in 1997 and played until 2003, while the Detroit Shock won three championships before relocating to Tulsa. Their inclusion signals a renewed confidence in markets with proven fanbases and arena infrastructure already in place.
Philadelphia’s addition, however, stands out as a market long seen as overdue for a WNBA presence. As one of the US’s premier basketball cities, its inclusion fills a conspicuous gap and brings additional East Coast representation to the league.
Selection criteria included analysis of local market viability, arena and training facility availability, commercial support, and community engagement. The league said it was also focused on long-term ownership commitment and the ability to “energise and inspire” new fan communities.
Building a commercial case for expansion
The WNBA is currently in its 29th season and enjoying what Commissioner Cathy Engelbert described as “extraordinary momentum”. The league has reported record attendance figures, surging merchandise sales and digital engagement, and broader investment interest driven by changing attitudes toward women’s professional sport.
“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,” said Engelbert. “These new teams will reshape the landscape of women’s basketball.”
The WNBA’s Changemaker Collective, which includes Ally, AT&T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google and Nike, has played a central role in the league’s recent commercial resurgence. That backing, alongside a growing broadcast footprint and rising franchise valuations, has helped the WNBA frame expansion as a financially viable and strategically sound growth opportunity.
Long-term growth strategy taking shape
With Golden State already active, and Toronto and Portland joining in 2026, the league’s expansion roadmap now stretches to 2030. While no further cities have yet been confirmed, the pace and scale of recent moves suggest the league is actively positioning itself for a more national – and potentially international – future.
More teams mean more inventory for broadcasters and sponsors, and greater opportunity to build deep-rooted local fan engagement. The next challenge will be execution: ensuring each new team launches with strong operational support and a competitive on-court product.
For Engelbert and her team, the addition of Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia is a statement of belief in the WNBA’s trajectory. As the sport’s influence grows, so too does the expectation that the league can deliver sustainable, city-shaping franchises across the continent.
