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Expansion of the WNBA
The WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently shared her confidence in the league’s expansion plans, aiming to increase the number of teams to 16 by 2028. She highlighted the goal of welcoming a 14th team as soon as 2026 to cater to the growing popularity of women’s basketball among players and fans.
Currently comprising 12 teams with 12 roster spots each, the WNBA can accommodate a maximum of 144 players. The addition of a 13th team, owned by the Golden State Warriors, marks the league’s first new franchise since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. Engelbert emphasized the complexity of such an expansion, citing the need for arenas, practice facilities, player housing, and committed long-term ownership groups.
Engelbert also mentioned the league’s engagement with various cities, including Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, Denver, Nashville, and South Florida, as potential locations for future franchises. The process of negotiation may vary in duration based on finding suitable ownership groups and arena situations.
Enhancing Player Experience
Addressing the well-being and travel arrangements for players, Engelbert confirmed that the WNBA will continue to provide charter flights during the upcoming season for playoffs and back-to-back games requiring air travel. With an increase in back-to-back sets scheduled for the 2024 campaign, the league will take a break for the Olympics in late July and early August. The financial commitment to charter flights has been significant, amounting to $4 million in 2023 and plans to maintain the same level of support.
Expressing her dedication to prioritizing player welfare, Engelbert noted the league’s transition from survival mode to thriving financially. She emphasized the importance of being in the right position to provide essential benefits like charter flights at the appropriate time.
Expansion Draft and Marketing Strategies
Engelbert revealed plans for an expansion draft for the Golden State franchise, set to play at San Francisco’s Chase Center and practice at the Warriors’ former facility in Oakland. Scheduled before the college draft, the expansion draft will precede the upcoming season with more details to be shared closer to the event.
The commissioner acknowledged the presence of notable players in this year’s draft class, such as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, LSU’s Angel Reese, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Stanford’s Cameron Brink. Leveraging the heightened visibility of women’s basketball, the WNBA invested in advertising during NCAA tournament broadcasts, starting from the Sweet 16 stage.
Engelbert expressed excitement about welcoming household names into the league, signaling a shift towards enhanced marketing strategies centered around star players. The WNBA continues to evolve, adapting to the changing landscape of women’s sports and solidifying its position as a prominent entity in professional basketball.
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