The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today a three-team expansion, which includes a Philadelphia franchise.
According to a press release, Philadelphia will take part in the now-18-team league beginning in 2030. The team will be based in South Philadelphia and will be owned and operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (which also owns the 76ers) with Comcast holding a minority stake.
“Each location was selected based on an analysis of market viability, committed long-term ownership groups, potential for significant local fan, corporate, media, and city and state support, arena and practice facilities, and community commitment to advancing the sport, among other factors,” the WNBA said.
“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. I am deeply grateful for our new owners and ownership groups – Dan Gilbert in Cleveland, Tom Gores in Detroit, and Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman, and Brian Roberts in Philadelphia – for their belief in the WNBA’s future and their commitment to building thriving teams that will energize and inspire their communities. We are excited for what these cities will bring to the league – and are confident that these new teams will reshape the landscape of women’s basketball.”
According to The Philadelphia Business Journal, the team will likely play its first season in the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the former Wells Fargo Center, where the Sixers and Flyers currently play. The Sixers and Comcast subsidiary Comcast Spectacor expect to complete construction of a new arena in South Philadelphia in 2031.
“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 Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner and Co-Founder Josh Harris. “Thanks to my partners David Blitzer, David Adelman, Brian Roberts and the team at Comcast, and Governor Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker for their collective leadership. We are committed to building a world-class organization, fostering the continued growth of women’s professional sports in this great city, and bringing one of the fastest rising leagues in the world to Philadelphia in 2030.”
Check out more about the team at wnba.com/philadelphia.
Image: WNBA