WNBA expanding to Clev - Detr - Phil ! | The Boneyard

WNBA expanding to Clev - Detr - Phil !

Vowelguy

Vowelguy

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Wow, did not see that coming, but makes some sense to expand while the iron is hot.

A little surprised on Detroit & Cleveland, which were both failed franchises. I might've gone somewhere new.

www.espn.com

WNBA to add Cleveland, Detroit, Philly by 2030

The WNBA is expanding to 18 teams over the next five years, with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia set to join by 2030. Toronto and Portland enter next year.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Other places that submitted bids:
  • Charlotte
  • Miami
  • Nashville
  • St Louis
  • Kansas City
  • Austin
  • Houston
  • Denver
 
Last edited:
If they're going to stay with E/W conferences and have balance, they would have to move Chicago to the West.

Or they could go to a 3 division setup:
W: Seat, Golden, LA, Phoe, LV, Portland​
C: Dallas, Minn, Chic, Indi, Detr, Clev​
E: Ct, NY, Tor, DC, Atla, Philly​
 
Vowelguy said:
If they're going to stay with E/W conferences and have balance, they would have to move Chicago to the West.

Or they could go to a 3 division setup:
W: Seat, Golden, LA, Phoe, LV, Portland​
C: Dallas, Minn, Chic, Indi, Detr, Clev​
E: Ct, NY, Tor, DC, Atla, Philly​
Expand ...
I vote for three-division. Simpler that way, and could schedule 2 home and aways against division rivals, and one home and away with the rest to yield the same 40 game schedule.
 
TheFarmFan said:
I vote for three-division. Simpler that way, and could schedule 2 home and aways against division rivals, and one home and away with the rest to yield the same 40 game schedule.
Expand ...

The schedule is now 44 games.
 
I think this also telegraphs a probable move for the sun to Boston since Boston isn't in the mix?
 
DEpup said:
I think this also telegraphs a probable move for the sun to Boston since Boston isn't in the mix?
Expand ...

Does not appear that Boston submitted a bid.
Expansion is awarded based on the city but perhaps more importantly the quality of the bid/investors/business plan.
 
Great news on the expanding. So much more room for players. REALLY hoping Crystal, Meghan, Evina, Christyn, etc. can find homes in the new expanded league. Am I missing anyone?

Hoping for next year with 24 new spots opening up, but with 36 more being added thru 2030... lots of room for more players.

Side note on the Sun - IIRC in the article, it said they were "exploring options". Has ANY city indicated they have an investment group interested? I do think I recall Garnett or someone (maybe Tatum?) saying they'd like a team in Boston, but did they put any kind of group together?

Where do UConn fans think the most likely landing spot is for the Sun?
 
Can’t believe Houston didn’t make the cut WNBA is treating Houston like the NBA is treating the Sonics
 
So we get the Toronto Tempo; the Portland Fire; the Cleveland Rockers; the Detroit Shock; the Philadelphia Bells and the Ct Sun is bought out by Houston to be named the Comets. All good…
 
Anyone else afraid that is TOO much expansion? Seems like we'll be seeing some really watered down rosters soon, and already some teams have a hard time coming up w/ a group of bench players that can help them much. The Valkyries have been a smashing success so far, but I'll be stunned if either of the new teams next year can do the same. Not to mention several previously existing franchises are pretty much at expansion team level currently.
 
Vowelguy said:
Other places that submitted bids:
  • Charlotte
  • Miami
  • Nashville
  • St Louis
  • Kansas City
  • Austin
  • Houston
  • Denver
Expand ...
Wow. Kansas City threw out an offer for a team? I am surprised that Houston, for now, was not selected for a franchise team. Their fanbase has been begging for their Comets to return. But like us Seattle Supersonics fans, the Comets fans in Houston just have to wait and be patient.
 
nwhoopfan said:
Anyone else afraid that is TOO much expansion? Seems like we'll be seeing some really watered down rosters soon, and already some teams have a hard time coming up w/ a group of bench players that can help them much. The Valkyries have been a smashing success so far, but I'll be stunned if either of the new teams next year can do the same. Not to mention several previously existing franchises are pretty much at expansion team level currently.
Expand ...
I am not. I think this expansion has been long overdue. Just think about the talent sitting on those benches of teams over the last 5 seasons that go overseas and shine, only to come back to the states and play 5-10 minutes every other week. Think about the talented players that get bounced around from team to team just to fill a roster spot for a day or two. Just think about the players that got drafted but never played in the WNBA or made a team but could play and doing well overseas.

I will use Burger King for an example. We all have been to one before. We know the standard. We all know that a Burger King in Seattle is going to look way different than a Burger King in Jackson, Mississippi. Same formula, just different people and standards. That happens in the WNBA as well. The Valkyries have set an outstanding standard in terms of fans, team play, and type of franchise experience. They have set the STANDARD! Now will any other team equal or get close? Maybe. Maybe now. We shall see. But for me, I think expansion has been long overdue and I am glad that we are getting it.
 
JellyBean said:
Wow. Kansas City threw out an offer for a team? I am surprised that Houston, for now, was not selected for a franchise team. Their fanbase has been begging for their Comets to return. But like us Seattle Supersonics fans, the Comets fans in Houston just have to wait and be patient.
Expand ...
KC group included Mahomes
 
nickp91 said:
Can’t believe Houston didn’t make the cut WNBA is treating Houston like the NBA is treating the Sonics
Expand ...
The Seattle SuperSonics' owner (Howard Schultz) sold to a group led by Clay Bennett, who had clear designs on moving the team.
Bennett "promised" a good-faith effort to keep the team in Seattle, provided there would be a public commitment to a new arena. When the public funding fell through, Bennett notified the NBA of his intent to move the team to OKC.

Bennett had no interest in a WNBA team (he is a staunch Conservative and was not known to be a supporter of women's professional sports). Three months after giving notice to the NBA of the intent to move the Seattle SuperSonics to OKC, he sold the Seattle Storm to Force 10 Hoops (which is a local, women-led group of Seattle businesswomen and civic leaders).

Houston was owned by Les Alexander, who owned the Rockets and Comets. Alexander sold off the Comets (but kept the Rockets) to Hilton Koch, who lasted for two WNBA seasons before the franchise folded. Without the backing of an NBA owner, the Comets did not have the independent season ticket holder base and sponsors to survive the financial losses (per Koch).

Not sure how the situations are the same.
 
According to Mitchell Northam, part of the reason Raleigh didn't submit a bid was due to Arena renovations taking place the next few summers. I guess when that is all wrapped up, the Sun can move from the wilderness of eastern CT to the booming Research Triangle. Change the team colors to Red Black and White... Then finally win the WNBA title 9 years after the relocation. The Carolina Tropical Cyclone has a nice ring to it. :)
 
triaddukefan said:
According to Mitchell Northam, part of the reason Raleigh didn't submit a bid was due to Arena renovations taking place the next few summers. I guess when that is all wrapped up, the Sun can move from the wilderness of eastern CT to the booming Research Triangle. Change the team colors to Red Black and White... Then finally win the WNBA title 9 years after the relocation. The Carolina Tropical Cyclone has a nice ring to it. :)
Expand ...

Does Raleigh have a big enough arena to fit the 3000 Duke fans who show up for NCAA games?
 
Vowelguy said:
Does Raleigh have a big enough arena to fit the 3000 Duke fans who show up for NCAA games?
Expand ...
Ian Mckellen Tea GIF
 
A reminder that the WNBA has been at 12 teams since the 2010 season. To grow by six teams over 20 years doesn't seem crazy--but to do that all in a 7 year period is certainly aggressive. That being said, they are coming in gradually, and i think with the addition of more international players, plus what I expect will be an influx of talent at the college levels (driven by the increased attention on WBB), I think the league will get through it.
 
bbsamjj said:
A reminder that the WNBA has been at 12 teams since the 2010 season. To grow by six teams over 20 years doesn't seem crazy--but to do that all in a 7 year period is certainly aggressive. That being said, they are coming in gradually, and i think with the addition of more international players, plus what I expect will be an influx of talent at the college levels (driven by the increased attention on WBB), I think the league will get through it.
Expand ...
Keep in mind that the league is making a ton of money off this -- $750M for adding these 3 franchises. That was not imagined even a few years ago.
That should support things like higher salaries, more marketing, etc
 
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