As WNBA fans eagerly follow the Finals matchup between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, the league’s upcoming expansion continues to spark excitement.
With the Golden State Valkyries set to debut as the WNBA’s 13th team in 2025, anticipation is also building around the league’s future growth.
Inside the WNBA’s expansion strategy
While the Valkyries are busy preparing for their inaugural season, news regarding a potential 16th franchise has been put on hold-for now.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently provided an important update on the league’s next moves in an interview with The Athletic.
While the league is steadily moving forward with plans for expansion, with the Golden State team and additional franchises in Toronto and Portland arriving by 2026, Engelbert revealed that the process of identifying a 16th team has temporarily paused.
“There has been so much positive momentum,”Engelbert said, “that the league decided to pause the search for its 16th team to reassess where it stands and hire an investment banker to run it.”
According to Engelbert, while the process may have slowed, expansion remains firmly in the WNBA’s long-term strategy.
She also shared that 10 to 12 cities are still being evaluated as potential locations for the league’s 16th franchise, signaling that the WNBA remains committed to broadening its presence.
All eyes on the Valkyries
For now, the spotlight remains on the Golden State Valkyries, the 13th team to join the WNBA.
Set to play in San Francisco’s Chase Center, the Valkyries have already made headlines by securing over 17,000 season ticket deposits-a first for a women’s sports team.
The team will participate in the Expansion Draft on December 6, allowing them to build a roster from the existing 12 teams in the league.
While the addition of Toronto and Portland in 2026 will bring the league to 15 teams, Engelbert’s recent remarks hint that it won’t be long before fans can look forward to even more WNBA franchises joining the competition.
“Everything’s changing in the W,”Engelbert added, emphasizing the fast pace of growth in women’s basketball.
“I tell my team, don’t base this on last year because everything changed this year, and how we should be thinking about what’s next for us.”
Will the 16th franchise in the WNBA be Denver, Philadelphia, or Nashville? Only time will tell.
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