Overview
- The WNBA awarded expansion franchises on June 30 to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, subject to NBA and WNBA governors’ approval, with each NBA-backed group paying a $250 million fee.
- Cleveland’s team is set to begin play in 2028 and will use the Cavaliers’ existing NBA arena for home games.
- Detroit’s franchise will launch in 2029 at the Pistons’ arena, marking the revival of the Shock brand that relocated in 2009.
- Philadelphia will become the league’s 18th market in 2030 with a new WNBA arena planned to open around its inaugural season.
- The expansion brings back historic markets and capitalizes on rising viewership, attendance and growing star-driven interest in women’s basketball.