WNBA Announces Historic Expansion to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia
WNBA expansion is here! Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are getting new teams starting 2028-2030, each paying record $250M fees. T
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The WNBA dropped a bombshell Monday, announcing three new franchises joining the league over the next five years. Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are coming back to the WNBA, with teams tipping off in 2028, 2029, and 2030. It’s the biggest expansion in league history, happening right as women’s basketball hits new heights.
$250 million price tags show WNBA’s meteoric rise
Each new team ponied up a whopping $250 million expansion fee — five times what Golden State paid just last year. That’s the biggest fee ever for a U.S. women’s sports league, blowing past the NWSL’s $110 million Denver franchise.
“The demand for women’s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league’s extraordinary momentum.”
Three basketball towns get their teams back
Cleveland’s comeback starts in 2028, with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert bringing the WNBA back to Rocket Arena. The Cleveland Rockers were part of the original WNBA lineup from 1997-2003.
Detroit returns in 2029 under Pistons owner Tom Gores, with a star-studded ownership group featuring NBA legends Grant Hill and Chris Webber, plus Lions quarterback Jared Goff. They’ll play at Little Caesars Arena, the same city where the Detroit Shock won three championships before bolting in 2009.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores. “Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy.”
Philadelphia wraps up the trio in 2030, with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast splitting ownership 50-50. The team plans to play in a new arena by 2030, using existing Philly venues until then.
WNBA riding unprecedented wave
This expansion comes after Golden State Valkyries (2025), Toronto Tempo and Portland (both 2026) already joined the party. WNBA team values shot up 180% this year, with franchises now averaging $269 million each.
The league’s new media rights deal jumped 500% from the old contract, while the Golden State Valkyries became the first women’s pro team worth $500 million.
Allen & Company ran the expansion process that started with plans for one team but ended with three after “robust interest” from over 10 cities including Austin, Charlotte, Denver, and Nashville.
The NBA and WNBA Board of Governors still need to rubber-stamp all three franchises, but approval looks like a lock given these ownership groups already run NBA teams.
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