Nov 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris looks on during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
The long wait for a WNBA team in Philadelphia has come to an end. Per the AP's Doug Feinberg, the city will get an expansion team in the 2030 season. According to a statement released by the Sixers, the team will be owned by the Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment group.
Philadelphia was one of the biggest markets still without a WNBA franchise. In January, The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov reported that Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment put in an official bid for a team, which came to fruition following Monday's announcement.
"Philadelphia is a city with unmatched passion, rich basketball tradition and unwavering love for its teams," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a press release. "It's only fitting that this iconic sports town is finally home to a WNBA franchise. From neighborhood courts to historic college arenas, basketball runs deep in Philly — and we're proud to bring the W to a city that's ready to embrace it.
"We're grateful for Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman, Brian Roberts and the entire ownership group for their leadership and investment in growing the game and elevating women's sports in this incredible community."
There's yet to be any official word on where the team will play, but with the Sixers building a new arena in South Philly by 2031, the trajectory would line up almost perfectly with the addition of the franchise.
“We tell the city it’s going to open in 2031. We’re hoping for 2030,” Harris said of the new arena plans to the AP. “So we’re trying to underpromise and overdeliver. But, right now it’s 2031, so that we have a year gap, you know. We’ve got the Xfinity center, the Wells Fargo, they’ll play there.”
The arrival of the team is still a ways away, but rumors will swirl about who will be hired as the coach. Just last week, Dawn Staley shut down rumors about her ever coaching a WNBA team in Philadelphia, during an appearance on Kylie Kelce's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast.
“No. You know why? Because I’d rather be an owner,” Staley told Kelce. “Okay, I think there's much more in it to ownership. I think I know a lot of people think that coaching is my best attribute, and I do think I'm a pretty good coach, but when I'm an owner, I could probably touch more people.”
Staley wasn't mentioned to be a part of new ownership for Philly's WNBA franchise, but that isn't surprising. She's still at the height of her powers at South Carolina, fresh off an appearance in the national championship. There's still time for Staley to get involved as an investor down the line if she's interested and decides to leave South Carolina.
For now, Philly fans will still have to deal with Josh Harris, which might not excite everyone. The Sixers have consistently underperformed over the past decade and are coming off their worst season since the process years. It doesn't help that Harris also owns the Washington Commanders and New Jersey Devils, both of whom are direct rivals with Philadelphia teams.
However, Harris' willingness to bring a WNBA team to the city does show a certain level of commitment.
"Philadelphia is one of the most storied basketball cities in the world and our region is home to some of the greatest women's players and coaches to ever grace the hardwood," Harris said in a statement released by the Sixers. "It's only right that this city finally gets the WNBA franchise it deserves, and we're humbled to help usher in a new era of Philadelphia basketball.
"...We're committed to building a world-class organization, fostering the continued growth of women's professional sports in this great city, and bringing one of the fastest rising leagues in the world to Philadelphia in 2030."
