Opinion: Where the WNBA should go to for expansion?

Headline: Top cities the WNBA should expand to

The WNBA has seen an immense amount of growth throughout the past couple of seasons. The league has grown in popularity and has brought in an increased number of fans.

The Golden State Valkyries will begin their inaugural season on May 6 as the 13th team in the league. The WNBA will expand even further when the Toronto Tempo and to be named team from Portland start play in 2026.

Even with these additions there’s still plenty of room for growth. Here’s some of the cities that would be a good fit for the WNBA:

Philadelphia

Philadelphia has one of the most passionate sports fan bases lacrosse the board – whether good or bad. It’s also a city that doesn’t have any women’s professional sports teams.

It is one of the best sports cities in the country and would be a great place for the WNBA to expand to and I think the Philly sports fanatics would love to have another team to root for.

Cleveland

Like Philadelphia, Cleveland lacks a major professional women’s sports team. Cleveland recently lost a bid to become the 16th in the National Women’s Soccer League, so why not give basketball a go.

Cleveland’s a city that’s seen little success when it comes to sports teams, but within the last decade its best team has been the Cavaliers out of the NBA. Adding another basketball team could give the fanbase a boost.

Miami

Despite having two NBA teams, Florida has no teams in the WNBA. Orlando used to have the Miracle, but they rebranded as the Connecticut Sun in 2003, so it’s been a while since the sunshine state has seen women’s basketball.

While there are many cities in Florida that could be considered for a WNBA team, in terms of popularity and culture, Miami would be the best fit.

The Miami Heat have seen lots of success in the last decade and it could make basketball fans in the 305 happy to have another team.

Denver

Denver is the latest city to add a professional women’s sports team and they’re set to begin competing in the NWSL in 2026. This being said, the city is already expanding and fielding to women’s sports so a WNBA team would keep the progress going

Houston

The Houston Comets were the original WNBA dynasty. The team was one of the original eight teams and won the leagues first four championships.

However, the team was dismantled in 2008 because they were unable to find new ownership. Looking at history, it would be picture perfect to bring the WNBA back to Houston.

Nashville

Thinking about major sports leagues, the state of Tennessee has just three teams, with the only basketball team residing in Memphis.

The biggest reason the WNBA should come to Nashville is because historically women’s basketball has run through the University of Tennessee.

Nashville isn’t too far from Knoxville, and bringing a WNBA team to Tennessee would be a great way of honoring the late Pat Summitt.

Charlotte

This is another city that used to house a WNBA team. The Charlotte Sting were one of the leagues original eight teams, but disbanded in 2007.

One of the Sting's most notable former members is Dawn Staley. North Carolina is the mecca of basketball and frankly the Charlotte Hornets haven’t done much of anything in years, so why not give the WNBA another shot in hopes of making Charlotte basketball fans happy.

Gianna Dowling is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gmd5738@psu.edu.