As the WNBA continues to experience unprecedented growth, the league is expanding to three new franchises. Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will be the home of the “W’s newest teams. According to the league’s timeline, Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her excitement about the league adding more teams during a press conference on Monday (June 30).

“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,” Engelbert said.

While new franchise owners paid “historic expansion fees,” Engelbert did not disclose the amount, and the expansion is subject to the approval of the WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors.

Dan Gilbert, owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, will lead Cleveland’s team, and games will be played at the Rocket Arena.

From the WNBA’s inaugural 1997 season until 2003, the Cleveland Rockers competed in the league under then-owner Gordon Gund, and previous owner of the Cavaliers. 

“We’re confident that this team will honor our city’s women’s sports heritage, reinvigorate our WNBA fan base and help cultivate the next generation of women’s basketball enthusiasts and athletes,” Gilbert said in a statement.

Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons, is leading the group for the city’s expansion franchise. The ownership group includes NBA Hall of Famers Grant Hill and Chris Webber, Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, and quarterback Jared Goff. The ownership group plans to build a WNBA practice facility and host games at Little Caesars Arena. 

The Detroit Shockers, the city’s original WNBA team, operated from 1998 until 2009, winning three WNBA titles (2003, 2006, and 2008). In 2009, the franchise relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition,” Gores said in a statement. “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.

Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers, will lead the team.

“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,” said Josh Harris, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment. “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.”

As the WNBA continues to rise this season, the Golden State Valkyries will begin their expansion season. Toronto Tempo and the Portland team will debut in 2026.