Philadelphia is set to embrace the WNBA, with plans for a new team to launch by 2030, as confirmed by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the 76ers on Monday.
The franchise will be owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which also manages the Sixers, alongside Comcast Spectacor. This announcement follows the recent news of a shared arena for the Sixers and Flyers, expected to open in 2031.
"Philadelphia, the W's coming. Let's go, this is awesome," exclaimed Harris during the announcement. "To the city of Philly, this is your team. Philadelphia is a city about sports, and basketball in particular, including generations of extraordinary women's basketball talent, athletes who have shaped the game and inspired countless others."
Harris emphasized the importance of this new team for local girls, stating, "For me and the community, bringing the WNBA to Philly wasn't just nice to have. It was an obligation."
He expressed hope that the team would serve as a source of inspiration for young girls in the area. "Sports have changed my life, and I've seen them change so many other lives," he said. "I have two daughters, one of whom is in the audience, and I believe deeply in the power of sports to inspire, uplift and teach. Lessons that carry far beyond athletics. Now, millions of girls will have the same opportunity."
Social media accounts for the new team have already been established under @phillywnba. A promotional video released shortly after the announcement features local girls playing basketball and expressing their dreams of joining the WNBA, highlighting their desire to attend games if a team existed in Philadelphia.
In this video, when asked what Philadelphia means to her, one girl replied simply, "It means home," concluding with the message "A new home team."
Engelbert, a native of Collingswood, New Jersey, noted the increasing popularity of women's basketball and the WNBA's expansion efforts. Each of the three new teams has NBA ownership backing and paid a substantial $250 million expansion fee.
Engelbert also acknowledged HBSE's commitment to establishing a successful WNBA franchise in Philadelphia as a significant factor in this decision. "On behalf of the entire WNBA, I'm thrilled to welcome Cleveland and Detroit back and Philadelphia officially to the WNBA," she stated. "These are proud cities with powerful sports legacies, each one rich in basketball tradition and fueled by passionate fan bases. We know they're going to show up for the W. Now, they join the most elite women's sports league in the world. It's far more than an expansion of our league. It's an evolution of it."
Last year, as discussions about a new arena for the Sixers intensified, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker advocated for a WNBA team in the city. She expressed her belief that securing a new arena would attract the league to Philadelphia.
"We don't have a WNBA team here in the city of Philadelphia," Parker remarked in September 2024. "Do any of y'all ever notice that? Y'all know y'all mayor don't like that."
In January, plans for 76 Place at Market East were abandoned when the Sixers and Comcast Spectacor announced intentions for a new stadium in South Philadelphia.
During a press conference unveiling the shared arena in January, Emmy-winning comedian Wanda Sykes joined calls for bringing the WNBA to Philadelphia, emphasizing that now is the time for such an initiative.
