The city of Philadelphia is poised to see a significant enhancement in its sports landscape, as Mayor Cherelle Parker joins forces with the Philadelphia 76ers in a concerted effort to secure a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. This endeavor marks the latest effort to bring professional women’s basketball to the City of Brotherly Love, following an initial attempt that coincided with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Renewed Vision for Women's Basketball
Mayor Parker's passion for establishing a WNBA franchise in Philadelphia is unequivocal. “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,” she emphasized.
Her determination is shared by the Sixers organization, which has already engaged with the league to explore the possibilities. A Sixers spokesperson noted, “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.”
New Arena: 76 Place
The proposed 76 Place arena, set to be located between Market and Filbert streets and 10th and 11th streets, represents a transformative development for the city's sports infrastructure. Costing an estimated $1.3 billion, the new arena is projected to provide not only a state-of-the-art home for the Sixers but also potentially for a future WNBA team. Parker recently delivered an 80-slide presentation outlining the vision for 76 Place, a plan that underscores her administration's commitment to revitalizing the area and enhancing Philadelphia’s standing as a premier sports city.
The Sixers' current lease at Wells Fargo Center is scheduled to expire in 2031, and the team aims to transition to the new arena by that time. The agreement tied to the new arena would keep the Sixers in Philadelphia until at least 2061, solidifying their long-term presence in the city.
WNBA Expansion on the Horizon
The timing for Philadelphia's renewed push for a WNBA team is auspicious. The WNBA is actively expanding from its current slate of 12 teams to at least 15 by 2026, and likely to 16 by 2028. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed confidence in this growth trajectory, anticipating new franchises such as the Golden State Valkyries joining next season, followed by teams in Toronto and Portland the following year.
Mayor Parker sees the new arena as a pivotal factor in Philadelphia's pursuit of 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,” she asserted. The combination of a cutting-edge facility and the city's robust support infrastructure positions Philadelphia as a strong candidate for an expansion team.
A Historic Legacy
The rich history of the Philadelphia 76ers serves as a backdrop for this ambitious effort. The Sixers are a storied franchise, having relocated from Syracuse, N.Y., where they were known as the Syracuse Nationals, to Philadelphia on May 22, 1963. Since then, the team has become an integral part of the city’s sports fabric.
If successful, the addition of a WNBA team would be a historic milestone, further cementing Philadelphia's status as a hub for professional sports and providing a new platform to inspire the next generation of female athletes. The fervent commitment from both the city's leadership and the 76ers organization is a testament to their collective vision for the future of sports in Philadelphia.
As the WNBA's expansion plans unfold, the coming years will reveal whether Philadelphia's concerted efforts and strategic vision will bear fruit, bringing women's professional basketball into the heart of the city.