The WNBA - Coming to a City Near You

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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. WNBA Announces Three New Expansion Cities 🏙️

In a historic announcement, the WNBA named not one, not two, but three new teams joining the league over the next five years. Cleveland joins in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. (WNBA)

🎥 Watch each city’s announcement video:

• Cleveland - Welcome to the Land

• Detroit - Deep Legacy

• Philadelphia - A New Home Team

WHY IT MATTERS: These three new franchises are in addition to the previously announced expansions in Toronto and Portland, both set to begin play in 2026. That means by 2030, the WNBA will grow to 18 total teams—the largest in league history.

This marks the most aggressive expansion push since the league’s early years, when it grew from 8 to 16 teams in just two years (1998–2000). That era was followed by contraction, as media coverage was limited and owners underestimated what it would take to build sustainable teams and treated them more like charitable causes rather than businesses.

This time is different. With skyrocketing team valuations and a $2.2B media deal now in place, ownership groups are treating their WNBA teams like the business opportunity they are—not side projects.

👉 Check out ESPN’s EXPANSION FAQ for more context on what’s next

2. Commissioner’s Cup Final Tips Off Tonight 🏆

The 2025 Commissioner’s Cup culminates tonight with the title match-up between the Minnesota Lynx and the Indiana Fever.

📺 Watch – Tuesday, July 1 at 8 PM ET on Amazon Prime

WHY IT MATTERS: The Lynx are looking to become the first team ever to win back-to-back Cup titles, while the Fever are making their Cup debut.

One major X-factor? Caitlin Clark’s status. She’s missed the last two games with a groin injury and is questionable for tonight.

The Commissioner’s Cup has real consequences on the line, with $500,000 in prize pool money, plus another $120,000 in crypto, for the winning team.

3. 2025 WNBA All-Star Starters Announced 📣

The WNBA has announced the eight starters who will join captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier at the 2025 All-Star Game. (WNBA)

This year’s starters:

• Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)

• Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)

• Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)

• A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

• Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)

• Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)

• Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm)

• Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury)

WHY IT MATTERS: The WNBA All-Star selections are based on a combo of fan votes (50%), players (25%), and media (25%).

This year’s All-Star game puts a spotlight on Bueckers, who is just the sixth rookie in history to earn a starting nod. Also on veteran Ogwumike, who earns her 10th All-Star selection. She joins fellow WNBA greats as only the fifth player ever to earn at least ten All-Star selections.

WNBA coaches will pick the 12 All-Star Game reserves, to be announced on July 6. Captains Collier and Clark will draft their teams from the full list on July 8.