WNBA awards expansion franchises to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia

NEW YORK :The WNBA announced new franchises to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia on Monday, rapidly advancing expansion plans in the top-flight North American women's league.

Cleveland will begin play in 2028, while Detroit will join in 2029 and Philadelphia is expected to launch in 2030.

"These are proud cities with powerful sports legacies," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters on Monday.

"They join the most elite women's sports league in the world. This is far more than an expansion of our league, it's an evolution of it."

The WNBA has enjoyed a surge of new viewership and attendance in recent years, buoyed by the growing popularity of women's sports worldwide and the rise of big names like Indiana Fever sharpshooter Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky's Angel Reese.

The WNBA has ridden that wave of popularity to rapid expansion, after previously resisting longstanding calls from fans and players to add more teams.

The Golden State Valkyries debuted this year - the league's first new team since 2008 - to huge enthusiasm from fans. Two more expansion teams in Portland and Toronto are expected to begin play in 2026.