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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Blake Silverman

Lisa Leslie Reveals Expansion Franchise She's Most Excited to Watch Join the WNBA

WNBA legend Lisa Leslie helped pave the way for the league | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The WNBA is in the midst of a period of massive growth. The Golden State Valkyries began play as an expansion franchise this season with the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire to follow in 2026. Even more teams will enter the fold by the end of the decade, with the league recently awarding expansion bids to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia for a total of 18 teams by the end of the decade.

Amid critical negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the current deal ends after this season, coupled with the expansion boom and new superstars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, the league is growing at an exponential pace.

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