Miami was named as the most popular "ideal" destination for a WNBA expansion franchise in a recent player poll shared by The Athletic's <a href=" Pickman and Sabreena Merchant.

Amid critical negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the current deal ends after this season, coupled with the expansion boom and new superstars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, the league is growing at an exponential pace.

The WNBA has announced three new expansion teams coming to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia over the next five years.

NBCSports Philadelphia suggested Philadelphia Rage for the name of Philadelphia's WNBA team. Philadelphia's WNBA team will play in South Philadelphia in 2030 at the soon-to-be renamed Wells Fargo Center. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment will own and operate Philadelphia's WNBA team, with Comcast holding a minority stake.

Despite these preferences, the WNBA recently awarded new franchises to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia — cities that received little enthusiasm from players. Cleveland received just two votes, while Philadelphia got only one. Players also voiced a desire to expand access to the league across the Southern U.S.

From Dawn Staley to Teresa Edwards, the Rage had star power and left an impression in their two-plus seasons. Now they’re excited that a new WNBA team will carry on what they started.

"I knew none of you knew WNBA players," Gillis joked when introducing his friend's wife who was sitting in the audience as "4-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks."

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Josh Harris, left, managing partner of the ...

The WNBA announced on Monday that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will be getting expansion franchises in the coming years.

When an outside source owns the majority of your league...it's going to very hard," union vice president Napheesa Collier said of the union's push for a fair share.