WNBA expansion could come in 2025, but some players believe charter flights are more important
The WNBA’s viewership is steadily rising and its media rights deal is up for renegotiation after the 2025 season. In light of this, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert shared updated information with the media on league expansion.
“Obviously, we’re working very hard on expansion,” Engelbert told reporters on Sunday. “This is really something I think we need to do, not just because of opening up potentially 12-24 roster spots, but also with a league that’s the longest-tenured women’s professional league in the country by double any other. We need more than 12 teams.”
As per an article by Front Office Sports, the 10 cities under consideration include the Bay Area, Nashville, Toronto, Austin, Denver, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Portland.
“We need to be in some big cities in this country where all of our data and information shows that there are some great markets for WNBA basketball,” Engelbert said. “We’re excited, capitalizing off NCAA popularity, and, hopefully, to talk more about that as we get further into the season this year.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on the growth on the #wnba and the future of the league. @ballislifewbb_ pic.twitter.com/ICneHSNNME
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) August 6, 2023
While many believe expansion is a long time coming, some players believe there are more important items on the to-do list that should be addressed first. At All-Star Weekend, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum addressed the media about charter flights and expansion.
“If you were to poll the players right now,” Plum said, “and ask if they’d rather have expansion or charter, I think it’s a pretty clear consensus across the board.”
Las Vegas teammate A’ja Wilson echoed Plum’s sentiments: “You need to take care of what you have now before you can expand and grow. I think that comes from the owners. I think we should put owners on the book and say, ‘Hey, put your money where your mouth is and protect your players.'”
