The WNBA is reportedly leaning toward expansion in Toronto, with the Canadian city is currently being tipped to welcome the league's 14th franchise. As a result, Philadelphia and Portland basketball fans continue their frustrating wait for a top-tier professional women's basketball team - though they could be next in the door.
Discussions are underway between the women's basketball league and the interested parties in Toronto as the possibility of a new location comes closer to fruition. It was first reported by ESPN that any hypothetical franchise would be owned by Kilmer Sports Inc., which is owned by homegrown tycoon, Larry Tanenbaum.
The billionaire sports industries businessman already boasts a portfolio of interests in teams including the Maple Leafs and Raptors , as a co-owner in the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment company. This comes with Golden State also set to welcome a franchise in 2025. A WNBA spokesperson confirmed the current state of play in relation to the expansion plans, saying: "We continue to engage in productive conversations with interested ownership groups in a number of markets and the granting of any expansion teams requires a vote of the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors."
READ MORE: YouTube shuts down Connecticut Sun vs New York Liberty stream three times as WNBA fans scramble
READ MORE: Chicago Sky rip Bill Simmons podcast after patronizing dig at WNBA
A WNBA spokesperson previously stressed no official Toronto decision had been made, writing, "We continue to engage in productive conversations with interested ownership groups in a number of markets but have no news to report at this time."
Furthermore, Kilmer Sports also claimed that there was "no update at this time" over the reports, as per ESPN . WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelber had previously earmarked plans for 16 teams to take part in the WNBA for the 2028 campaign, with Philadelphia, Portland, Denver and Nashville also mentioned as potential locations.
As for the potential set-up for any potential Toronto expansion will also see the city's Coca-Cola Coliseum play host to the franchise, as per the report. This 8,000-capacity venue already is the home of the Marlies of the AHL, alongside the Toronto franchise in the PWHL.
READ MORE: Caitlin Clark texted NFL player who claimed he could beat her on basketball court
Discussing the possibility of a WNBA expansion franchise setting up in Portland, Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink came out in favor of the move in April. She said: "I really think that Portland deserves a franchise.
"I think people would really rally behind a team here and they would support us. I was sad about [San Francisco getting a new team first]. Hopefully one day, the way people are supporting women's basketball as a whole, there's only more room for expansion. ... I feel like [Portland] would be a good place to go next."
The aforementioned Engelbert also addressed the ongoing talks at the previous WNBA, confirming: "We’re talking to a lot of different cities. I think I’ve thrown out names before. It’s complex because you need an arena and a practice facility and player housing and all the things, you need committed long-term ownership groups. The nice thing is we’re getting a lot of calls."
Most Popular
Comments / 0