WNBA expansion teams coming to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, league announces

The WNBA announced on Monday that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will be getting expansion franchises in the coming years.

The WNBA announced on Monday that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will be getting expansion franchises in the coming years. The new team in Cleveland will begin play in 2028, with Detroit following in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. The league said in a statement that the addition of the three teams “marks a significant milestone in the WNBA’s commitment to growing the game, increasing opportunities for players, and bringing professional women’s basketball to new and passionate fanbases in more cities.” “The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “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. … We are excited for what these cities will bring to the league – and are confident that these new teams will reshape the landscape of women’s basketball.” According to the league, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia were chosen based on “analysis of market viability, committed long-term ownership groups, potential for significant local fan, corporate, media, and city and state support, arena and practice facilities, and community commitment to advancing the sport, among other factors.”