Earlier this week, the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors officially signed off on the expansion plans for the WNBA, meaning that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will all have franchises in the years to come.
That official approval is great for the cities, owners and fans and it also comes with rich history.
The Cleveland franchise was secured by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, whose $250 million bid set a record for a franchise fee in women’s sports. Yet that wasn’t the only history made by the future franchise.
The winning bid means that a WNBA team will return to the city for the first time since the former Cleveland Rockers franchise disbanded in 2003. The Rockers was one of the original eight WNBA teams that began play in 1997. Unfortunately, while the team made the playoffs four times, it found little overall success and after suffering through disappointing seasons and a dwindling fan base, the franchise ceased operations after seven seasons.
But in 2028, a team will return to “The Land” once again, this time with more financial stability and a fan base itching with excitement.
The second city granted an expansion franchise is Detroit, which had a very successful team decades ago.
The Shock began play in 1998 and went on to win WNBA Championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008. The team was coached by basketball royalty, starting with Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman (1998-2000; she also served as team GM). A few years later, the franchise turned to Pistons royalty in Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009; 2x WNBA Coach of the Year) and Rick Mahorn (2009).
After the 2009 season, the team relocated to Tulsa and played there for a few years before moving to Dallas in 2016 and becoming the Wings.
But starting in 2029, thanks to Pistons owner Tom Gores, his wife Holly, and their $250 million franchise bid, Detroit will once again have a WNBA franchise.
And the team also has Detroit star power in minority team owners Grant Hill, Chris Webber and Eminem.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Gores in a statement. “This marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights.”
But perhaps the most deserving city out of the three is Philadelphia, whose new team will begin play in 2030.
Under the leadership of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Sixers and NJ Devils, the City of Brotherly love will have a major professional women’s sports team for the first time since the Philadelphia Rage of the ABL folded in 1998.
