Women’s basketball is having a moment. Last year’s NCAA championship game drew more viewers than the men’s title game for the first time, and interest in the WNBA has surged this year, with rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making waves in the league’s 27th season.
The WNBA is preparing for its first expansion since 2008, with three new teams set to debut in the next two seasons. The Golden State Valkyries, based in San Francisco, will begin play in 2025, while teams in Toronto and Portland are slated to join the league in 2026. These additions will bring the WNBA’s total to 15 teams, with plans to add a 16th by 2028.
Further expansion plans have not been disclosed, leaving the league comparatively small against other professional sports leagues.
While Columbus has not been prominently mentioned as a potential expansion city, it presents a compelling case. The city boasts a growing population with a young demographic, an NHL arena that remains largely unused during the WNBA season (May to October), and a history of supporting women’s sports, particularly basketball.
Additionally, whenever the idea of a WNBA team in Columbus surfaces on social media, it often generates significant enthusiasm, highlighting the local appetite for the league.