Overview

• The league awarded expansion franchises to Cleveland for 2028, Detroit for 2029 and Philadelphia for 2030, subject to approval by the NBA and WNBA Boards of Governors.
• Each ownership group paid a $250 million fee—about five times the amount of the Golden State Valkyries’ entry—highlighting a sharp increase in franchise valuations.
• All three teams will be majority-owned by the Cavaliers, Pistons and 76ers groups and will use existing NBA arenas and facilities in their markets.
• Cleveland and Detroit mark a return of women’s pro basketball to cities that last hosted the Rockers (1997–2003) and Shock (1998–2009), respectively.
• With Toronto and Portland set to join in 2026, these additions will expand the WNBA from 13 to 18 teams by decade’s end.