Cleveland ought to obtain a WNBA extension franchise that will be part of the League for the 2028 season, Sports activities Enterprise Journal Studies.
The franchise ought to play Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, additionally the Home of the NBA Cleveland ridersAnd would have already chosen a reputation, taking the nickname of the Cleveland Rockers that the earlier group of the WNBA within the metropolis had from 1997 to 2003. With a report of a report worth of 250 million {dollars}, Cleveland has 90% probability To win an growth group, in line with the Tom Good friend of SBJ.
Nonetheless, the final wave of growth of the league could not finish with Cleveland. The WNBA plans so as to add one or two different groups with the franchise that ought to go to Cleveland. This could improve the league to 18 groups. The cities thought-about as favorites to obtain these groups are Philadelphia, Houston, Nashville, Detroit and Miami.
Three extension groups are prepared to affix the WNBA within the subsequent two years, beginning with the Golden State Valkyries Through the coming season. Groups Toronto And Portland will be part of the League for the 2026 marketing campaign.
The $ 250 million Cleveland supply is twice what Toronto and Portland paid for his or her growth prices.
Houston is taken into account a strong candidate for one of many groups as a result of the Houston Rockets Having a strong group beneath the proprietor of the Tilman Fertitta group who lately constructed a coaching set up of 75,000 sq. toes. And the Comets have a robust historical past of the WNBA, profitable 4 consecutive league championships from 1997 to 2000.
Philadelphia can be thought-about favorably on account of partnerships Philadelphia 76ers The proprietor of the group, Josh Harris, established with Comcast for a brand new area that will home the Sixers and the NHL Philadelphia flyers.
The opposite cities which have submitted for WNBA growth groups embody Denver, St. Louis (with Celtics Star Jayson Tatum As an investor), Austin (together with Kevin throughout in his group), Kansas Metropolis (with Patrick Mahomes Among the many traders), Jacksonville, Charlotte and Milwaukee. The previous star of the WNBA Candace Parker can be a part of the Nashville investor group,
The WNBA lately requested for manufacturers from three different former franchise names – Houston Comets, Detroit Shock and Miami Sol – which may point out preferences, however may additionally nod with beforehand established manufacturers.
