The WNBA has announced plans for expansion to 18 teams by 2030, including new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This expansion marks a significant commitment to growth, following the recent addition of teams like the Golden State Valkyries. The increased expansion fees reflect rising investment demands, with new teams backed by NBA ownership groups. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated a strategic shift in goals, prompting the league to aim higher than the previously targeted 16 teams by 2028, showcasing the evolving landscape of women's professional basketball.
"How do you walk away from three quarters of a billion dollars?" a source told Friend, highlighting the financial stakes of expanding the WNBA to 18 teams.
Engelbert emphasized that NBA ownership groups could provide access to NBA-caliber facilities, vital for meeting the growing demands of WNBA operations and player amenities.
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