After Toronto and Portland, the league will be adding Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) plans by 2030 to have expanded from 15 to 18 teams. After Toronto and Portland, both slated to enter competitive play in 2026, the league will be adding Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
“Each location,” according to the league, “was selected based on an 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.”
All three of the new teams will be owned and operated by the same entities that own and operate their respective cities’ NBA teams.
Cleveland’s team – its second, after the Rockers, which played from 1997 to 2003 – will be operating under Rock Entertainment Group (REG), which also owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Detroit’s will be operating under Tom Gores and his family. Gores already owns the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and is Chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity. Philadelphia’s, finally, will be under Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owner of both the Philadelphia 76ers and the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils.
