NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The WNBA announced that Portland will be home to a new WNBA team. While that’s great news for Portland, that leaves a city like Philadelphia out. Then you have the earlier news that Golden State and Toronto were also rewarded teams. Where is the City of Brotherly or Sisterly Love?
Philadelphia is a sports city on a higher scale than Portland, Golden State, or even Toronto. No disrespect to the residents there but look at the powerhouses the sports world has in Philly. The Flyers (NHL), Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), and even the Philadelphia Union (MLS). And that’s just the professional side of things. Philly is rich in tradition at the college level as well. So why no WNBA?
New York has its history as well as does Atlanta. Indiana has a new face of the league in Caitlin Clark. Hell, the Chicago Sky is causing a stir, and with their hold on major sports, Chicago was a no-brainer. Philly deserves a shot at a team.
In April, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated she wanted to have 16 teams by 2028. So far, the WNBA has added three new ones which leaves a chance for Philadelphia to grab the last spot remaining.
But it brings us back to the original question as to why Philadelphia keeps getting passed over. Looking at their current market, the only real major sports cities with no WNBA team would be Philadelphia and Miami.
According to some, Wells Fargo is home to too many established residents already. But doesn’t that hold for the areans being used by the WNBA teams already? Once again, the city has rich traditions and there are plenty of areans that can hold WNBA games besides Wells Fargo.
As far as history goes, Philadelphia was once home to a Women’s Pro Team. While ratings and attendance were low, this was before the growth of the WNBA. Times and people have changed. This is why a major city like Philadelphia being left off the WNBA expansion list is mind-boggling.
Portland was home to a WNBA franchise before–the Portland Fire. According to a statement, Portland was the best place for a new franchise. The WNBA could be thinking of marketing with Nike Headquarters just a stone’s throw away.
Philadelphia could be a major draw due to its history. There is no telling how long Dawn Staley will stay at South Carolina as its head coach. She is a Philly resident and has strong ties to the community as well the as WNBA. The only job that may take her away from South Carolina, would be the possibility of coming back home to coach a professional team. She’s already coached at a local college Temple. So there is always a shot.
Adding a team in Toronto is a bit of a stretch but it’s understandable. Teams outside of the county adds a new fanbase. However, as I always say, take care of home first. To have a major city with such a dedicated fan base not get a team, that’s ludicrous. Philly fans are some of the most passionate fans in any sport from college to the pros.
Keeping track of their goal to have 16 teams by a certain year, there’s still a chance Philly can come out on top. But there can be no more grabbing for the smaller market cities. You build in the major cities first then expand to the smaller markets. The WNBA missed an opportunity here. However, it’s still time for them to get it right.
