WNBA Expansion - 16 teams by 2028?

[MrDollarBills]

After thinking about this for a few days I think 16 teams by 2028 or even 2029/2030 is the way to go. It just might get messy if they don't structure the new expansion drafts properly with 4 new teams coming in year after year.

My reasoning is simply that the league needs to 'strike whilst the iron is hot'. Caitlin Clark effect is real and the league needs to take advantage of her popularity as well as who is coming the next few seasons to add to the popularity. The new gen of high school and college kids are going to regular household names and faces due to NILs.

Paige, JuJu, Milaysia and a slew of others are coming. This is generational change that is happening.

We need 16 teams by 2028. Be smart about it, make sure the infrastructure is there to support the clubs. But get it done.

We need to have all of the top talent in the world in one place.

Yup. And as a new fan i'm pretty invested in the league and sport. I've never watched this much WNBA before or cared this much before and i'm sure there are hundreds of thousands of people who feel the same.

We'll see Clark, Angel, & Paige's influence on the younger generation sooner than later. High school girls are now seeing how popular the sport is and how big the money can be -- they see Paige & Azzi Fudd all over social media doing photo shoots, going to sporting events and being superstars before they're pro. It's a good time to get into basketball at a young girl and take it serious.

Yep. Now is the time for heavy investment into girls basketball. This thing is about to explode. These kids are superstars in waiting.

[MrDollarBills]

4 Teams in 4 years is cutting it close.
However, the NBA has gone through numerous Expansions itself, over the years. And overall, still going strong.

It's a lot I agree, but definitely doable

Golden State launches next year

Toronto and Portland set to launch in 2026

The final team launches in 2027 or 28

[zimpy27]

Paige, JuJu, Milaysia and a slew of others are coming. This is generational change that is happening.

We need 16 teams by 2028. Be smart about it, make sure the infrastructure is there to support the clubs. But get it done.

We need to have all of the top talent in the world in one place.

Yup. And as a new fan i'm pretty invested in the league and sport. I've never watched this much WNBA before or cared this much before and i'm sure there are hundreds of thousands of people who feel the same.

We'll see Clark, Angel, & Paige's influence on the younger generation sooner than later. High school girls are now seeing how popular the sport is and how big the money can be -- they see Paige & Azzi Fudd all over social media doing photo shoots, going to sporting events and being superstars before they're pro. It's a good time to get into basketball at a young girl and take it serious.

Yep. Now is the time for heavy investment into girls basketball. This thing is about to explode. These kids are superstars in waiting.

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

[Ghetto Gospel]

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

[zimpy27]

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

Worst thing is how proud they were getting this upgrade:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wnba-tv-deal-disney-amazon-nbcuniversal-1235957266/


Like guys, you could have just waited one year of CC crowds to double this offer.

[Ghetto Gospel]

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

Worst thing is how proud they were getting this upgrade:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wnba-tv-deal-disney-amazon-nbcuniversal-1235957266/


Like guys, you could have just waited one year of CC crowds to double this offer.

iirc, the leader of the players union for the WNBA thought they could have gotten more.

the league just took the deal because they weren't sure if the CC crowds were going to be a permanent thing or just a flash in the pan. they just took the middle-ground deal which is reasonable. it might be all they were offered as well because the media might have the same reservations

[MrDollarBills]

Yup. And as a new fan i'm pretty invested in the league and sport. I've never watched this much WNBA before or cared this much before and i'm sure there are hundreds of thousands of people who feel the same.

We'll see Clark, Angel, & Paige's influence on the younger generation sooner than later. High school girls are now seeing how popular the sport is and how big the money can be -- they see Paige & Azzi Fudd all over social media doing photo shoots, going to sporting events and being superstars before they're pro. It's a good time to get into basketball at a young girl and take it serious.

Yep. Now is the time for heavy investment into girls basketball. This thing is about to explode. These kids are superstars in waiting.

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

Yep and that's honestly how it goes: the generation now will see nowhere near the benefit that the players 10 years from now will. Same as it was for the NBA when guys were making six figures paving the way for guys to one day make millions.

[MrDollarBills]

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

Yeah exactly. When you see Anthony Edwards disrespecting the players of Jordan's era....like bro, those dudes are the reason why you're able to make life changing money playing basketball. Chill.

[MrDollarBills]

Well the WNBA already just locked themselves in to 11 years of TV deal money before this thing actually took off to show how profitable they could be.

Clark is unlikely to financially benefit much through her career from the boost. Will be player in 2035 that get the benefit.

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

Worst thing is how proud they were getting this upgrade:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wnba-tv-deal-disney-amazon-nbcuniversal-1235957266/


Like guys, you could have just waited one year of CC crowds to double this offer.

Yeah I think that we're going to see very quickly that the league should have held out for more.

Amazon, NBC are getting a discount. Give it 3 years and we're going to hear about the League wanting to rip this deal up because they're getting short changed.

[cdubbz]

unfortunately that's just how it is. that's why i hate whenever new gen hates on the old gen as if they didn't pave the way for them to make millions. especially when it's football and those guys literally killed their bodies

Worst thing is how proud they were getting this upgrade:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wnba-tv-deal-disney-amazon-nbcuniversal-1235957266/


Like guys, you could have just waited one year of CC crowds to double this offer.

Yeah I think that we're going to see very quickly that the league should have held out for more.

Amazon, NBC are getting a discount. Give it 3 years and we're going to hear about the League wanting to rip this deal up because they're getting short changed.

I thought I read in an article the that they had a opt out in 3 years with the TV deal -- i'm looking for the article now.

[MrDollarBills]

Worst thing is how proud they were getting this upgrade:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wnba-tv-deal-disney-amazon-nbcuniversal-1235957266/


Like guys, you could have just waited one year of CC crowds to double this offer.

Yeah I think that we're going to see very quickly that the league should have held out for more.

Amazon, NBC are getting a discount. Give it 3 years and we're going to hear about the League wanting to rip this deal up because they're getting short changed.

I thought I read in an article the that they had a opt out in 3 years with the TV deal -- i'm looking for the article now.

I hope so.

[jc23]

4 more teams seems like alot in as many years. Quality will drop off for sure. I know you have some college talent coming in but the womens game still needs more development. I cant be the only person that notices the wild amount of missed layups and bunnies.

I expect it will improve. Just that the growth will come with the pains is all.

[jc23]

Also, am i just being a homer when i feel that the expansion is going to hurt teams like the Fever the most i.e. teams that are building towards -or- close to a title? Seems like a scenario that will help the poor teams make the biggest leaps.

assuming there will be a expansion draft where you can only protect a certain amount of your players.

[MrDollarBills]

4 more teams seems like alot in as many years. Quality will drop off for sure. I know you have some college talent coming in but the womens game still needs more development. I cant be the only person that notices the wild amount of missed layups and bunnies.

I expect it will improve. Just that the growth will come with the pains is all.

The league desperately needs the extra roster spots though. Too many good young players get cut before they can develop, and there are good veterans on the outside looking in playing overseas.

The quality won't drop off because more talent will be coming in. You can make a case for the NBA being watered down by Expansion, the W not so much.

[cdubbz]

Announcement coming soon?

- San Francisco 2025
- Toronto 2026
- Portland ?
-Where will the last city be?

Read on Twitter

[RSCD3_]

Announcement coming soon?

- San Francisco 2025
- Toronto 2026
- Portland ?
-Where will the last city be?

Read on Twitter

People are suspecting there might be a team in the south, because most of the teams are more northernly.
Charlotte, Orlando, and Memphis are the three most common guesses ive seen.

I do wonder though how this will effect the conferences, will there be 4 divisions with 4 teams. Will the playoff structure change so there is an east and west champion will they keep the best of 8 regardless of conference of have a division winner gets in and the other 3 are based on record?

I think there's good reason to keep it as is, and just have the playoffs remain the best 8 teams, even with the expansion. I guess they could do a 7-10 play-in game thing but probably better to not worry about that for right now.

Also for the four divisions if Portland, Toronto, GS, and Memphis (could be any city in the SE) & I think you'd have something like this

Connecticut, New York, Toronto, Washington
Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Minnesota
Dallas, Las Vegas, Memphis, Phoenix
Golden State, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle

or Alternatively

Connecticut, New York, Toronto, Washington
Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Memphis
Dallas, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle
Golden State, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix

Second one has the nba's problem with giant mountain range division but it'd also allow for one expansion in each division to help balance the strength of teams to start with, even now it's pretty balanced actually

[cdubbz]

Announcement coming soon?

- San Francisco 2025
- Toronto 2026
- Portland ?
-Where will the last city be?

Read on Twitter

People are suspecting there might be a team in the south, because most of the teams are more northernly.
Charlotte, Orlando, and Memphis are the three most common guesses ive seen.

I do wonder though how this will effect the conferences, will there be 4 divisions with 4 teams. Will the playoff structure change so there is an east and west champion will they keep the best of 8 regardless of conference of have a division winner gets in and the other 3 are based on record?

I think there's good reason to keep it as is, and just have the playoffs remain the best 8 teams, even with the expansion. I guess they could do a 7-10 play-in game thing but probably better to not worry about that for right now.

Also for the four divisions if Portland, Toronto, GS, and Memphis (could be any city in the SE) & I think you'd have something like this

Connecticut, New York, Toronto, Washington
Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Minnesota
Dallas, Las Vegas, Memphis, Phoenix
Golden State, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle

or Alternatively

Connecticut, New York, Toronto, Washington
Atlanta, Chicago, Indiana, Memphis
Dallas, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle
Golden State, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix

Second one has the nba's problem with giant mountain range division but it'd also allow for one expansion in each division to help balance the strength of teams to start with, even now it's pretty balanced actually

Will definitely be interesting to see the playoff format with a 16 team league.

[cupcakesnake]

Portland is official for 2026 now.

Read on Twitter

[Ice Man]

the league just took the deal because they weren't sure if the CC crowds were going to be a permanent thing or just a flash in the pan. they just took the middle-ground deal which is reasonable. it might be all they were offered as well because the media might have the same reservations

As the deal was struck in mid July, negotiations must have been occurring before Clark suited up for the league. At that time and during her first month or so, it was fair to discount the possibility that her college success wouldn't translate to the WNBA, which would have been a problem for viewership. However, by mid July it was clear that would be just fine.

Given that, it seems to be that the league might have negotiated a shorter deal. But of course, outsiders can only guess at the entire dynamics of the negotiations.

[cdubbz]

Portland is official for 2026 now.

Read on Twitter

wooo hooooo.

3 teams in 2 seasons is big goals. wonder how it will all work out.