Mayor Sherelle Parker has joined forces with the Philadelphia 76ers in a bold initiative to bring a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team to the City of Brotherly Love. This effort marks the second attempt to introduce a WNBA team to Philadelphia, the first having taken place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago.
Parker's determination to see this endeavor succeed is unwavering. In a recent 80-slide presentation, she outlined plans for a new arena for the Sixers, a project expected to cost an impressive $1.3 billion. Dubbed 76 Place, the proposed arena is set to be located in a prime spot bounded by Market and Filbert streets and 10th and 11th streets.
The Mayor's commitment to the project is clear from her recent comments: “We were able to secure support from the governor, from the city, its administration, and legislative body. Although they were not successful, you all know me. I don't take no easy. I want us to keep working extremely hard, as hard as we can, united together,” Parker emphasized.
A Rich History and a Promising Future
The 76ers, who originated as the Syracuse Nationals, made their move to Philadelphia on May 22, 1963, and have since become a core part of the city's sports identity. The lease for their current home at the Wells Fargo Center is set to expire in 2031, and plans are in place for the team to transition to the new 76 Place arena by the end of that lease.
This new endeavor aims to keep the Sixers grounded in Philadelphia until at least 2061, strengthening their long-term connection with the city. An understanding has been reached that the Sixers' new arena will also serve as home to a potential WNBA franchise. The team's spokesperson made the organization’s intentions clear: “We share in Mayor Parker's desire to bring a WNBA franchise to Philadelphia and have been engaged with the league on the process. Our goal is for our new arena to serve as home to both the 76ers and a WNBA franchise.”
WNBA Expansion on the Horizon
The WNBA itself is in a phase of significant growth, expanding from 12 to at least 15 teams by 2026. New franchises like the Golden State Valkyries are set to join the league next season, followed by teams from Toronto and Portland debuting the year after. This expansion trajectory is confidently supported by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has expressed optimism that the league can reach 16 teams by 2028.
With the potential for more teams and the increasing popularity of women's basketball, the timing appears ideal for Philadelphia's push to join the league. “I will tell you that with this new Sixers arena there, there is no one who can tell me that Philadelphia would just not have upped its position in trying, and trying to pursue a WNBA team for our great city,” Parker underscored with conviction.
A United Vision for Philadelphia Sports
The joint efforts of Mayor Parker and the Philadelphia 76ers signal a united vision for elevating the city's sports landscape. Bringing a WNBA team to Philadelphia is more than just an addition; it is a statement of the city's commitment to embracing and promoting women's sports at the highest level. The collaboration seen thus far, from securing governmental backing to engaging with the WNBA, reflects a strategic and heartfelt push towards this goal.
As Philadelphia salutes its storied past with the 76ers, anticipation builds for a future graced by both NBA and WNBA excitement. The quest to welcome a WNBA franchise continues, with the promise of a new arena serving as a beacon of the city's aspirations. While challenges may lie ahead, the resolve demonstrated by Philadelphia's leaders suggests that the dream of a WNBA team in this historic city is well within reach.