The WNBA will reportedly take the first big step in its expansion plans this week.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and other league officials plan to visit Denver Wednesday to meet with local investors and tour potential playing locations for a new team, according to the Denver Post. Those locations are said to include Ball Arena — where the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche play — as well as the University of Denver’s Magnus Arena.
The group will reportedly reunite with Robert Cohen, Naveen Dimon, and Ashley Dimon. Cohen is Chairman and CEO of the financial services firm, IMA Financial Group, while Dimond is CEO and co-founder of the hospitality and hotel development company Stonebridge. Dimond’s daughter, Ashley, is the Director of Strategy.
All three declined to comment to The Washington Post.
Denver was One of the ten cities uncovered by Engelbert was under discussion as a potential expansion site. It is also only one of a few major cities It does not have a professional women’s sports team. Other possible frontrunners are Nashville, Toronto, Austin, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Portland and the Bay Area.
Although the WNBA said last December that it would not announce its expansion plans by the end of 2023, the league had hoped to add at least one new team for the 2025 season. Engelbert doubled down on Aug. 6 with an assertion that the league is “working hard for expansion.” Because it needs “12+ teams”, which will open up more roster spots and thus more opportunities for more players.
At the same time, WNBA players are hardly adamant about adding new teams. This is mostly because some believe there are bigger problems facing the league – such as charter flights and salary benefits.
“I understand that expansion is important, I understand the growth of the league, I understand the growth in the cities, and I think that’s something that’s going to happen,” said Kelsey Bloom, Las Vegas Aces guard and WNBAP vice president in July. It must take precedence over charter flights. I don’t think that should take precedence over salary benefits. And I think we’ve taken steps in the right direction, but I think if I poll players now and ask them, “Would you prefer expansion or charter?” I think it’s (a) clear consensus across the board.”
The price of the expansion team is still unclear. The Wall Street Journal reported in January That Seattle Storm was worth $151 million, a WNBA record.
For now, Denver has a head start if WNBA officials like what they see.