• WNBA expanding to 18 teams with new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia by 2030.
• Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
• Expansion fees for new teams are $250 million, aiming to enhance community support and infrastructure.
• The move reflects the demand for women's basketball and presence of significant new talent in the league.
• Historical rivalries between cities promising to enhance competitive dynamics in the league.

The WNBA has announced a historic expansion plan that will see the addition of franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, raising the league's team count to 18 by 2030. Cleveland is set to begin play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in the 2030 season, subject to approval by the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors, according to CBS News and Channel News Asia.

According to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, “The demand for women's basketball has never been higher," underscoring the momentum behind this expansion. She highlighted that this addition is not merely an expansion but an "evolution" of the league, reflecting the significant investments in women's professional basketball and its increasing market viability, as mentioned by HuffPost and Reuters.

Each of the new franchises will have NBA ownership groups, who each paid a hefty $250 million expansion fee—a stark increase compared to previous fees as the league aims to strengthen its foundation. The teams also plan to invest further in community facilities and amenities, as detailed by NPR and HuffPost.

Historically, both Cleveland and Detroit have had their own WNBA teams, and Philadelphia previously recognized the women’s basketball legacy through the ABL. Engelbert emphasized the importance of the sports legacies in these cities as key factors in their selection, alongside anticipated local support and successful ownership groups, as reported by Channel News Asia and CBS News.

The addition of these teams has been forecasted to boost the league's competitive dynamics by leveraging historical rivalries, which have been successful in the NBA. Engelbert further noted that the ongoing demand for women's sports has prompted this foresight in expansion, building on significant interest and increased attendance metrics, as outlined by Reuters and NPR.