WNBA expansion

KazuoOda · Post #1 » by **KazuoOda** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:56 pm

Read on Twitter

-Luke- · Post #2 » by **-Luke-** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:58 pm

The Caitlin Clark effect? Or was this bound to happen anyway?

Wingy · Post #3 » by **Wingy** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:00 pm

-Luke- wrote:The Caitlin Clark effect? Or was this bound to happen anyway?

Both? I think it would’ve happened anyway over time, but CC massively shrunk the timeline.

Post #4 » by **cupcakesnake** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:04 pm

Holy heck.
My first thought is: welcome (and welcome back in Detroit's case) to the W!

My second thought:
What is 5 straight expansion drafts going to do to this league???

bkkrh · Post #5 » by **bkkrh** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:05 pm

I dont get why they aren't choosing cities without NBA teams. Especially a market like Detroit, that is already struggling economically. Think best approach would be to go into bigger cities with no or just 1 or 2 professional teams. Cities like Louisville, Albuquerque, Omaha, Virginia Beach might actually be super appreciative and supportive for having a team.

ropjhk · Post #6 » by **ropjhk** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:05 pm

If I had the means to do so I would consider starting up a rival womens basketball league and paying an exorbitant amount to steal away Caitlin Clark. Make it her league, protect her on the court and promote the heck out of her like she was Jordan in the 90's.

Wingy · Post #7 » by **Wingy** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:08 pm

ropjhk wrote:If I had the means to do so I would consider starting up a rival womens basketball league and paying an exorbitant amount to steal away Caitlin Clark. Make it her league, protect her on the court and promote the heck out of her like she was Jordan in the 90's.

DirtybirdGA · Post #8 » by **DirtybirdGA** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:15 pm

What about another west team? I guess they don't care about balance?

PlatinumState · Post #9 » by **PlatinumState** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:21 pm

DirtybirdGA wrote:What about another west team? I guess they don't care about balance?

Portland and Toronto are joining next season
Expansion makes sense because attendance is through the roof
Wonder if theyre bringing back the team names Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock? Anyone remember the Sacramento Monarchs, Miami Sol and Charlotte Sting?

Post #10 » by **ijspeelman** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:32 pm

Lets goooo!

Cleveland Rockers back on the menu

SNPA · Post #11 » by **SNPA** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:34 pm

PlatinumState wrote:
DirtybirdGA wrote:What about another west team? I guess they don't care about balance?

Portland and Toronto are joining next season
Expansion makes sense because attendance is through the roof
Wonder if theyre bringing back the team names Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock? Anyone remember the Sacramento Monarchs, Miami Sol and Charlotte Sting?

They are idiots for not putting a team in Sac. That’s a rabid fanbase. The Monarchs won a title.

Post #12 » by **Doctor MJ** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:36 pm

cupcakesnake wrote:Holy heck.
My first thought is: welcome (and welcome back in Detroit's case) to the W!

My second thought:
What is 5 straight expansion drafts going to do to this league???

Yeah the W should be expanding, but with this announcement I’d say they are going too fast.

Great that there are interested owners. But expanding too fast has burned many businesses, including the W itself previously.

The fact that rapid expansion will also noticeably weaken quality is no small thing either.

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Post #13 » by **Doctor MJ** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:38 pm

bkkrh wrote:I dont get why they aren't choosing cities without NBA teams. Especially a market like Detroit, that is already struggling economically. Think best approach would be to go into bigger cities with no or just 1 or 2 professional teams. Cities like Louisville, Albuquerque, Omaha, Virginia Beach might actually be super appreciative and supportive for having a team.

You’ve got a point, but I assume these ownership groups were most ready to buy their way in.

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Jailblazers7 · Post #14 » by **Jailblazers7** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:39 pm

Definitely a little worried about over expansion but the overall talent level in women’s basketball is accelerating so the impact to quality won’t be as dramatic imo. The super team era will likely be a thing of the past as teams like the Aces and Liberty have more competition for top talent.

Wingy · Post #15 » by **Wingy** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:43 pm

PlatinumState wrote:
DirtybirdGA wrote:What about another west team? I guess they don't care about balance?

Portland and Toronto are joining next season
Expansion makes sense because attendance is through the roof
Wonder if theyre bringing back the team names Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock? Anyone remember the Sacramento Monarchs, Miami Sol and Charlotte Sting?

Still a -2 for the West I believe. Maybe they’ll go to some weird 3 regions thing? 6 teams each.

Moving Chicago, Indy, Cleveland or Detroit out west would seem pretty arbitrary given they’re so close and in a single division in the NBA.

Gotta imagine Denver is on deck for #19.

hermes · Post #16 » by **hermes** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:43 pm

bkkrh wrote:I dont get why they aren't choosing cities without NBA teams. Especially a market like Detroit, that is already struggling economically. Think best approach would be to go into bigger cities with no or just 1 or 2 professional teams. Cities like Louisville, Albuquerque, Omaha, Virginia Beach might actually be super appreciative and supportive for having a team.

those cities tend to be smaller and being closely affiliated with nba teams seems to have produced good outcomes for several teams (facilities)

yes, you could build a good, rabid fan base in albuquerque but it would take a lot of money and patience because you'd be starting from square one

hermes · Post #17 » by **hermes** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:17 pm

the potential owners have dollar signs in their eyes, the league is hot right now and everyone wants to make money.
the league also has dollar signs in its eyes. with all the new franchise fees and extra games they'll be able to sell in media deals

SkyBill40 · Post #18 » by **SkyBill40** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:37 pm

Not really a fan of CLE and DET getting a second go at it, but I can understand the allure and novelty. CLE might have more success this time if they're partnered with Dan Gilbert and the Cavs as opposed to the previous owner in Gund, but there's no guarantees it'll be more successful than last time. As far as DET, they were a three time WNBA champion and had good success prior to their relocation(s).

Might have been nice to see some new locations and we'll get that in PHI. The locations considered were pretty strong though: St. Louis; Kansas City, Missouri; Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Houston; Miami; Denver and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Green Chile · Post #19 » by **Green Chile** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:39 pm

W never officially said it, but it's pretty clear these rounds of expansion were always going to current NBA owners/cities.

Getting to 16 is awesome. That seems like the perfect number for a while.

And I hope the owners don't add in too many more games than the current 44 in CBA talks (especially if they aren't going to lengthen of the season)

Wingy · Post #20 » by **Wingy** » Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:42 pm

hermes wrote:
bkkrh wrote:I dont get why they aren't choosing cities without NBA teams. Especially a market like Detroit, that is already struggling economically. Think best approach would be to go into bigger cities with no or just 1 or 2 professional teams. Cities like Louisville, Albuquerque, Omaha, Virginia Beach might actually be super appreciative and supportive for having a team.

those cities tend to be smaller and being closely affiliated with nba teams seems to have produced good outcomes for several teams (facilities)

yes, you could build a good, rabid fan base in albuquerque but it would take a lot of money and patience because you'd be starting from square one

Isn’t the bulk of the money from TV/streaming deals? While I’d love for teams to go to smaller areas, that’d be fun, but economic realities mean larger viewing audience will remain at the forefront of decision-making.