WNBA Adds Expansion Teams in Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia

The Women’s National Basketball Association has announced Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will receive expansion teams, bringing the league’s total to 18 teams.

The three new teams join the league’s 15 existing teams, including the Golden State Valkyries, who tipped off in May 2025, as well as the previously announced expansion markets in Toronto and Portland that will be active in 2026. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia the season after, assuming they get approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors.

Both Cleveland and Detroit had WNBA teams in the past and Philadelphia was the home for an ABL team.  The Cleveland and Detroit ownership groups said the Rockers and Shock — the names of the previous teams — would be considered but they’d do their due diligence before deciding on what the franchises will be called. The Detroit and Cleveland teams will play at the NBA arenas that currently exist, while Philadelphia is planning on a new building that will be completed hopefully by 2030.

“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, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women’s professional basketball.”

The ownership groups for the new franchises include Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, and Philadelphia 76ers owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, in addition to Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment investors David Adelman and Brian Roberts in Philadelphia. Each paid a $250 million expansion fee, which is about five times as much as Golden State dished out for a team a few years ago.

The new WNBA team in Cleveland will be owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group, the entity that houses REG Chairman Gilbert’s sports and entertainment properties. The WNBA previously had a team in Cleveland, the Rockers, from 1997 to 2003.

“The WNBA’s return to Cleveland marks a pivotal moment for women’s sports. Years from now, we will reflect on this day as a truly monumental point in Cleveland sports history,” said Gilbert. “The passion, support and continued commitment of our fans and community for our professional sports teams played an essential role in making this possible.”

Gores is owner of the Pistons and chairman and chief executive officer of global investment firm Platinum Equity. The WNBA is also making its return to Detroit, where the Shock played from 1998–2009, winning three championships (2003, 2006, 2008), ranking in the top five in attendance for five consecutive seasons. Detroit sports stars Grant Hill, Chris Webber and Jared Goff will have minority ownership stakes in the team.

“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Gores. “Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights. Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.”

The Philadelphia WNBA team will be owned and operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the New Jersey Devils, the Prudential Center and Unrivaled Sports.

“Philadelphia is one of the most storied basketball cities in the world and our region is home to some of the best women’s players and coaches to ever grace the hardwood. It’s only right that this city gets the WNBA team it deserves, and we’re humbled to help usher in a new era of Philadelphia basketball,” said Harris.

Engelbert said she was impressed with the number of cities that bid for expansion teams, a list that included St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Nashville, Miami, Denver; Charlotte and Houston.