Philadelphia is on the brink of a significant sports expansion, with Mayor Cherelle Parker and the Philadelphia 76ers joining forces to bring a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team to the city. This partnership marks a renewed effort following an initial attempt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not reaching fruition back then, Mayor Parker remains resolute. “We were able to secure support from the governor, from the city, its administration and legislative body. Although they were not successful, you all know me. I don't take no easy. I want us to keep working extremely hard, as hard as we can, united together,” Parker emphasized.
Integral to this bid for a WNBA team is the development of a new arena for the Sixers, known as 76 Place. Estimated at a cost of $1.3 billion, this proposed arena is slated for a central location, spanning Market and Filbert streets and 10th and 11th streets. Mayor Parker recently presented an 80-slide proposal detailing the project’s vision and potential impact. Currently, the Sixers' lease at the Wells Fargo Center is set to expire in 2031, and plans are in place for the team to transition to 76 Place by the end of the lease, solidifying their presence in Philadelphia until at least 2061.
The momentum generated by this new arena project greatly strengthens Philadelphia's candidacy for a WNBA team. “I will tell you that with this new Sixers arena there, there is no one who can tell me that Philadelphia would just not have upped its position in trying, and trying to pursue a WNBA team for our great city,” Parker asserted. This sentiment is echoed by the Sixers organization, with a spokesperson stating, “We share in Mayor Parker's desire to bring a WNBA franchise to Philadelphia and have been engaged with the league on the process. Our goal is for our new arena to serve as home to both the 76ers and a WNBA franchise.”
The WNBA is actively expanding, planning to grow from its current 12 teams to at least 15 by 2026. New franchises such as the Golden State Valkyries are poised to join the league next season, with teams from Toronto and Portland to make their debuts the following year. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is optimistic about the league's future, expressing confidence that it could expand to 16 teams by 2028.
As Philadelphia advances its efforts for a WNBA franchise, the city's basketball heritage provides a strong foundation. The Sixers’ deep-rooted history in the city, dating back to their relocation from Syracuse, N.Y., in 1963 when they were known as the Syracuse Nationals, underscores the city’s long-standing passion for the sport. This legacy, combined with an energized bid for a new arena, positions Philadelphia advantageously in the eyes of the WNBA.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Mayor Parker, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the WNBA could usher in a new era for women’s professional basketball in the city. The prospect of a new team not only promises to enrich Philadelphia’s vibrant sports landscape but also provides an opportunity to inspire and attract the next generation of basketball enthusiasts and athletes.