The 76ers’ owners have officially bid to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia
The Sixers and Comcast Spectacor said they'd pursue a bid after their deal to build an arena in the sports complex. It's unclear when a team would launch if the city were awarded one.
After years of talk but little action, the 76ers told The Inquirer on Friday that they’ve made an official bid to bring a WNBA team to town.
The bid has been expected ever since the Sixers and Comcast Spectacor struck a deal to abandon the team’s controversial plans to build an arena on Market Street in Center City and instead jointly build and operate a new venue in the sports complex. That deal included Comcast Spectacor announcing plans to buy a minority stake in the team and for the two entities to mount a joint bid for a WNBA team.
It’s not clear yet when the team would start playing, or where it would play if it launches before the new South Philly arena’s planned opening in 2031.
But there’s no doubt that speculation about the possibility has gone on for quite a while now. As far back as 2022, according to various reports, Philadelphia-based comedian Wanda Sykes was part of a group that considered mounting a bid. But it never came together.
Last April, word arose that another group — not officially the same group, though some of the same people were involved — had talked about going for a bid, and had talked with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Those people refused to publicize their names, but word got far enough around that Engelbert was asked about it at the league’s draft.
Nothing came of that beyond Engelbert saying Philadelphia was “in the running.” But there was one piece that wasn’t a secret: she’s a Collingswood native and has long been interested in seeing a team here.
It took Mayor Cherelle L. Parker lifting the lid on things in September to finally get people involved to budge. At a news conference touting the new arena, she showed a presentation that said the Sixers expected “to submit a bid” and then talked up the possibility.
“I will tell you that with this new Sixers arena there, there is no one who can tell me that Philadelphia just would not have upped its position in trying and trying to pursue a WNBA team for our great city,” Parker said. “I can hope. I can dream. I can pray.”
After Parker spoke, the Sixers said they “share in Mayor Parker’s desire to bring a WNBA franchise to Philadelphia and have been engaged with the league on the process.”
Comcast Spectacor, which at the time had not yet partnered with the team, said it “has supported previous efforts to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia, and we enthusiastically support any bid to bring a franchise to our historic city.”
The breakthrough finally came a few weeks ago, when NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts stepped in to broker a deal.
» READ MORE: How NBA commissioner Adam Silver put an end to a billionaires’ feud and helped keep the Sixers in South Philly
In a subsequent news conference, Silver said he heard from Parker about her ”strong desire to bring a WNBA team to the city.” That alone helped the city’s odds, and now a formal bid finally is in place.
But the new arena, Parker’s interest, the clamor from fans, Silver’s involvement, and Engelbert’s roots won’t guarantee team here. There’s a lot of competition for WNBA expansion teams.
Houston also has a major place in line, as billionaire Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has bid to bring a team back to town. He will rightly use the fact that the city had a powerhouse WNBA team in the league’s early years: the Comets, who won the first four WNBA titles from 1997 to 2000 led by superstar Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.
Nashville has mounted a bid with sizzle. Billionaire former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam has the money, and longtime women’s basketball superstar Candace Parker brings the celebrity. Country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill also are involved, as is former NFL star quarterback Peyton Manning. It’s no coincidence that Parker and Manning played collegiately at Tennessee or that they’d name the team the Tennessee Summitt after legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.
Other reported expansion candidates on the table include Detroit; Charlotte, N.C.; Austin, Texas; and Denver. A San Francisco team tip off this year, joined by new teams in Portland, Ore., and Toronto next year. That will bring the total to 15 teams from the current 12.
Two sources with knowledge of the matter said the next steps in the process are up to the WNBA, and people at the league involved in the bidding.
A WNBA spokesperson declined comment, as is the league’s custom on expansion chatter.
» READ MORE: The Sixers and Mayor Parker want the WNBA in Philly. How do we know Philly wants the WNBA? | Mike Sielski