WNBA announces three new franchises: Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia join the league
The WNBA continues its spectacular expansion with the announcement of three new franchises that will bring the total number of teams to 18 by 2030. Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia were selected from numerous applications, marking a historic milestone for the women’s league.
🚨HISTORIC MOMENT ALERT🚨
The W is leveling UP — three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future. ⭐
Say hello to our newest expansion teams:
🟡 @clevelandwnba – coming 2028
🔵 @DetroitWNBA – coming 2029
🔴 @philawnba – coming 2030New energy. New legacies. New era.… pic.twitter.com/6ZXaHPxkEw
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 30, 2025
This rapid growth illustrates the increasing enthusiasm for women’s basketball in the United States. The league, which had only 12 franchises last year, will welcome the Golden State Valkyries this season, followed by the Toronto Tempo and a Portland franchise in 2026, reaching 15 teams.
A return to roots for Cleveland and Detroit
Cleveland and Detroit mark a return to the WNBA after extended absences. The Cleveland Rockers were among the founding franchises before folding in 2003, while the Detroit Shock dominated the league with three titles (2003, 2006, and 2008) under Bill Laimbeer’s leadership, before relocating to Tulsa and becoming the Dallas Wings.
« The demand for women’s basketball has never been stronger and we’re thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia to the WNBA family, » said league commissioner Cathy Engelbert. « This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league’s extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent, and the growing demand for investment in women’s professional basketball. »
The three franchises are owned by NBA owners: Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers) for Cleveland, Tom Gores (Detroit Pistons) for Detroit, and Josh Harris (Philadelphia 76ers) for Philadelphia. Each group paid $250 million in expansion fees, five times more than the Golden State Warriors paid for the Valkyries.
First-class infrastructure
Cleveland will play at the Rocket Arena from 2028, sharing the venue with the Cavaliers, with a renovated training center in Independence, Ohio. Detroit will use Little Caesars Arena in 2029 and build a new training center. Philadelphia is awaiting construction of a new downtown arena for 2030, with a training center in Camden, New Jersey.
« This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA, » said Tom Gores. « Today marks the long-awaited return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. » Personalities like Grant Hill, Chris Webber, and Jared Goff hold minority stakes in the Detroit franchise.
This expansion, subject to NBA and WNBA board approval, demonstrates the explosive valuation of franchises and growing enthusiasm for professional women’s basketball. A success that should push European professional basketball and FIBA to reform, to adapt to a new calendar and increasingly strong competition.
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