WNBA may expand for 2024 season

[LadyStanley]

Exclusive: WNBA expansion to add up to 2 teams before 2024 season

Portland, Philadelphia and Oakland are among cities with interest, and the potential financial backing, to add a team.

theathletic.com

Paywall.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Athletic she hopes to identify one or two cities for an expansion franchise by the start of the WNBA playoffs in September or by year’s end at the latest. Those new teams could begin to play as early as the 2024 season, she said. This would be the first time the league has added an expansion team since the Atlanta Dream were founded in 2008.

League started with list of 100 potential cities, now down to 10-12. Have considered 25 or so things about potential cities. Harder to determine value of potential franchises.

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[KevFu]

The question of WNBA expansion isn't one of "will they?" it's more "How many can they?"

 

[LadyStanley]

How Oakland and Toronto have prepared for WNBA expansion bids, and other cities in the running

A deep dive into two cities that could host WNBA expansion teams, and the factors that go into bidding for a franchise.

sports.yahoo.com

Yahoo looks at Oakland and Toronto potential expansion bids

 

[OG6ix]

Based on Masai Ujiri's end of the season presser I feel like MLSE is ready to go with a bid. I would go to a game or two with my daughter.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

They started with a list of 100 cities? I mean.... I appreciate thoroughness, but that seems a tad excessive in initial consideration, unless they're counting multiple suburbs of larger cities individually as well.

 

[KevFu]

They started with a list of 100 cities? I mean.... I appreciate thoroughness, but that seems a tad excessive in initial consideration, unless they're counting multiple suburbs of larger cities individually as well.

Eh, not really, because there's two ways of looking at it... (and this is where MLS royally screwed up)

We know from being hockey fans that the really big markets, with tons of sports entertainment options, aren't always the best for ticket sales, attendance and ratings; because the marketplace is so crowded and a niche sport can be a total after thought (Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers for example)

And lots of times, a franchise can be a huge success by being that cities only major pro sports team (San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Storm).

But another dynamic is place with a big women's college basketball following (like the Connecticut Sun)

The league wants a mix of all things.

I don't think they'd be counting every different zip code as one place, but like, in New York, you have four NBA/NHL arenas, one filled, so that probably counts as three cities to consider.

 

[LadyStanley]

WNBA expansion plans narrowed to 10 cities with goal to announce by end of the year

Engelbert also announced the league would hold its first-ever preseason game in Canada next season.

sports.yahoo.com

Narrowed down to 10 potential cities. Hope to announce by end of (calendar) year.

 

[HisIceness]

Interesting to see Columbia, SC on that list. Not saying it won't happen because I get the argument but Columbia even as a minor-league town has had some, iffyness.

There is some potential for corporate dollars but the locals would really need to show they're willing to make something like the WNBA be a thing in town.

That said I actually hope they get it. Could end up being a really good atmosphere, much better than if they tried Charlotte again or went to Raleigh or Greensboro.