Charlotte, North Carolina – The WNBA is gearing up for significant growth in the coming years. Recent reports confirm Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s goal of expanding the league to 16 teams by 2028, with plans already in motion for adding new franchises starting from the 2025 season.
Earlier this year, the WNBA announced the introduction of a 13th team in the Bay Area for the upcoming season. Looking ahead to 2026, Engelbert mentioned potential cities like Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, Denver, Nashville, and South Florida as locations being considered for future expansion. Sources also revealed that Charlotte, NC is being eyed as a possible location for the league’s next team, demonstrating a strong interest in broadening its reach.
Engelbert emphasized the complexity of the expansion process, highlighting the need for suitable facilities, committed ownership groups, and infrastructure to support a new team. While discussions have been ongoing with various cities and potential investors, the timeline for finalizing decisions remains fluid.
The league’s imminent expansion plans faced a setback when negotiations for a team in Portland fell through. Despite the initial consideration, talks with a prospective ownership group did not materialize, underscoring the challenges involved in establishing new teams within the WNBA.
Looking towards the 2026 season as a significant milestone, Engelbert expressed confidence in achieving the goal of 16 teams by 2028. With current TV deals set to expire after the 2025 season, the league is actively exploring new media rights deals, with Warner Bros. Discovery among those showing interest in broadcasting WNBA games.
The strategic alignment of expansion efforts with securing a new media rights deal underscores the league’s intent to enhance its visibility and attract larger audiences. The addition of new teams would not only increase the league’s presence in diverse markets but also provide more content for media partners, driving further growth and engagement. As the WNBA prepares for a pivotal phase of growth, the upcoming seasons are poised to shape the future trajectory of the league’s success.