Will Smith is reportedly heading back to his West Philadelphia roots, this time as a minority investor in the city’s upcoming WNBA expansion franchise. According to reports from sports business reporter Kurt Badenhausen, the Oscar-winning actor has secured a 0.1% stake in the team, which is scheduled to begin play in 2030.

The news comes as the WNBA enters a period of historic growth. Following the finalization of a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed Philadelphia as one of three upcoming expansion markets, alongside Cleveland (2028) and Detroit (2029). The league just held an expansion draft for new teams in Toronto and Portland.

The league’s decision to award Philadelphia a franchise was driven by the city’s basketball heritage, infrastructure readiness, and the strength of its ownership.

The Philadelphia franchise will be operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The ownership group, which also includes institutional investors and a minority stake from Comcast, has already committed at least $50 million toward a dedicated practice facility. While the team is expected to play at Xfinity Mobile Arena, there are long-term plans to move into a new downtown arena upon its completion.

This investment follows a massive surge of interest in women’s basketball in the region. In January, more than 21,000 fans packed Xfinity Mobile Arena for an Unrivaled 3x3 doubleheader, setting a record for a regular-season professional women’s basketball game. That event, which featured several NBA veterans and local celebrities, served as a proof of concept for the WNBA’s viability in the city.