Getty Image / Mitchell Leff
With superstar Caitlin Clark set to be drafted into the WNBA on Monday night, the attention on the league has never been higher. More fans than ever will be tuning into the best women’s basketball league on the planet this summer.
But, the league only has 12 teams currently, despite huge influxes of talent over the last decade. There’s definitely enough talent in women’s basketball now to support more teams, though the finances haven’t always been there.
The finance part of the equation has probably changed already. But, if it hasn’t, it certainly will after they sign a new TV rights deal following the 2025 season. The league is financially ready to support expansion.
Not only is the league ready, but many markets around the country probably are as well. According to WNBA Commissionoer Cathy Engelbert, the league should be adding four new franchises in the next few years.
Engelbert says goal is to get to 16 teams in "next few years." Adds she's "confident" the W will be at 16 "by 2028."
NWSL, meanwhile, will be at 16 by 2026.— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) April 15, 2024
That will be a huge boost to the league and its players. Right now, first-round picks oftentimes don’t even make rosters because there is so much competition for roster spots. Four new teams means that 50 or so more players will have the opportunity to play in the WNBA.
I’d expect markets like Philadelphia, Toronto, Denver, and Nashville to all be interested in bringing in a team. Nashville could potentially try to get an NBA expansion franchise to go along with it if the NBA decides to go to 32 teams.
For now, the league remains at 12 teams. That means that nearly every team in the league is loaded with recognizable names and lots of talent. It makes for a competitive environment, and one that a lot more people will be watching this year.