WNBA Announces New Expansion Teams
It was an exciting morning for WNBA fans, with the announcement of three new expansion teams. Commissioner Kathy Engelbert shared that Cleveland will join in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. Over the next five years, the league will welcome six new teams, including Golden State, Toronto, and Portland.
The league, which currently has 144 players, will expand to 216 by 2030. However, that might not be sufficient. When discussing team expansions in the WNBA, it raises the need to rethink team rosters as well.
At present, the WNBA restricts rosters to 12 players, and many teams struggle to fill this quota due to salary cap constraints. More teams mean additional games, which, unfortunately, leads to more injuries. Consequently, as the season goes on, rosters become even leaner.
The existing approach of signing players on 10-day contracts isn’t viable for the long term. While 216 spots in the league sound good, teams need deeper rosters—especially with seasons exceeding 50 games. Increasing the roster size to 14 players could alleviate some of the injuries and losses throughout the season. It’s not just about accommodating more players; it’s about ensuring every team and its players thrive.
Moreover, establishing a system for teams to sign “practice players” or secondary players could enhance team depth and nurture young talent. For instance, teams could roster a few players who don’t travel but engage in practices. Similar to the two-way contracts in the NBA, this could limit how many games they participate in during the season. This approach would help develop future talent, maintain depth, and prevent players from frequently shifting teams.
This topic needs to be on the table during the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the league and the players’ union. Conversations about expanding rosters are important, but so are discussions about pay, scheduling, prioritization, health benefits, and more. Balancing these factors is essential, particularly as players have expressed concerns about rising injury rates this season, which have already taken a toll on their bodies.
Historically, there hasn’t been enough room in the WNBA, prompting many players to look for opportunities overseas in the winter. While expansion can create more spots in the league, it’s crucial that players can depend on the WNBA for stability and fair pay to turn down offseason commitments.
It’s definitely more nuanced than just saying “add more spots.” But the WNBA really needs to consider this to foster rapid growth. Expansion is thrilling, yet, for it to be genuinely effective, it must be paired with sustainable practices.
