It seems like the WNBA expansion that many have been clamoring for is finally coming.
The WNBA is expected to announce the latest news on its expansion on Oct. 5, just days before the beginning of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 8. The expansion would increase the number of teams in the league from 12 for the first time since 2009.
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The expectation is that the Oct. 5 news will be to announce an expansion team in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to a report by USA Today. This supports the initial report from The Athletic on Sept. 26 that the NBA's Golden State Warriors will be bringing a WNBA team to the area.
That WNBA team would be owned by Warriors owner Joe Lacob and also play at the Chase Center. It's expected to debut in 2025.
The WNBA's X account has already begun to tease the news over the last few days. On Oct. 3, it began responding to tweets asking to expand the league.
Heard you https://t.co/ASyu4SwMxh
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2023
Then on Oct. 4, the league posted a short video clip with screenshots of many requesting for league expansion and ending with a short copy that read "coming soon." The caption of the tweet simply said "10.5."
10.5 pic.twitter.com/J4qlLOrg6E
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2023
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The league, which launched with eight teams in 1997, has been stuck at 12 teams for over a decade as it has tried to sustain itself. However, players and fans alike have constantly asked for the league to expand given how little available slots there are to play in the league that has forced many top draft picks to play overseas.
But as ratings continue to improve, more investments have come in from those recognizing the potential in women's sports, and with a new TV deal looming after its deal with ESPN expires in 2025, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the professional women's basketball league.
The WNBA is also reportedly still speaking with other potential ownership groups in different cities. Just last month, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert visited Denver to meet with interested parties for a potential expansion team.
The league's peak number of teams was from 2000 to 2022 when it had 16 teams.
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