![\"WNBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ap25181521095295.jpg\")
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\n The WNBA announced on Monday that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will be getting expansion franchises in the coming years.\n <\/p>\n
\n The new team in Cleveland will begin play in 2028, with Detroit following in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.\n <\/p>\n
\n The league said in a statement that the addition of the three teams \u201cmarks a significant milestone in the WNBA\u2019s commitment to growing the game, increasing opportunities for players, and bringing professional women\u2019s basketball to new and passionate fanbases in more cities.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe demand for women\u2019s basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,\u201d WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cThis historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league\u2019s extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women\u2019s professional basketball. \u2026 We are excited for what these cities will bring to the league \u2013 and are confident that these new teams will reshape the landscape of women\u2019s basketball.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n According to the league, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia were chosen based on \u201canalysis 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.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n The three teams will bring the total number of WNBA franchises to 18 by the time the Philadelphia team joins, after teams in Portland and Toronto were revealed in 2024. Both Portland and Toronto will begin playing in 2026.\n <\/p>\n
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\n The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA\u2019s newest team, began their debut season this year and are competitive in year one, sporting a 9-7 record in the Western Conference and currently holding the league\u2019s No. 6 seed.\n <\/p>\n
\n Women\u2019s professional basketball will return to Cleveland for the first time since 2003 when the city\u2019s last WNBA team, the Rockers, folded after having been one of the league\u2019s original founding eight teams.\n <\/p>\n
\n For Detroit, the WNBA will also make a long-awaited return after the Shock \u2013 who played in the Motor City between 1998 and 2009, won three championships and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals \u2013 moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, before ultimately moving to Dallas and rebranding to the Wings.\n <\/p>\n
\n The WNBA will be debuting in the City of Brotherly Love and will be owned by the same leadership group which runs the NBA\u2019s Philadelphia 76ers.\n <\/p>\n