Latest news with #CathyEnglebert
CNBC
10-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
WNBA Commissioner: Our teams are seeing valuations go up from $5M to $260M on average
CNBC's Dom Chu with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert, join 'Money Movers' to discuss the American Century Golf Tournament, expanding the WNBA and the league's growth,
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Issue Emerges After WNBA's Controversial Decision
Chicago Sky Issue Emerges After WNBA's Controversial Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky defeated the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, giving them a 5-11 record during the 2025 WNBA season. The team will now enjoy a multi-day break before resuming play on Sunday against the 14-2 Minnesota Lynx. Advertisement During the team's six-day rest, plenty of major WNBA news broke. The league announced the starting lineup for the 2025 All-Star game on Monday, and the Commissioner's Cup took place on Tuesday, with the Indiana Fever winning 74 to 59 over the Lynx. On Monday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert also announced that the league would expand to a record 18 teams by the 2030 season. WNBA commissioner Cathy Carchietta-Imagn Images This expansion would include a franchise in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2028, one in Detroit, Michigan, in 2029 and another in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2030. The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant, however, feels that this is the wrong decision for the league. Advertisement Merchant wrote that Chicago, among other teams, is reportedly considered behind in the player experience department. The WNBA is being called to address these issues amid its controversial decision to prioritize expansion over bettering current teams. "Looking around the league, current franchises in Connecticut, Los Angeles and Chicago lag behind an acceptable standard of player experience and practice facilities," Merchant wrote. "Before bringing in expansion teams, the WNBA should make sure its existing organizations can handle the demands of this new era. The optics of expansion are better than relocation, but throwing energy and resources behind new teams instead of old doesn't solve the WNBA's problems." During the 2025 season, the Golden State Valkyries became the league's first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. The Toronto Tempo and Portland expansion team are both slated to begin play during the 2026 campaign. The Sky will resume their season on Sunday against the Lynx. The game will take place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Advertisement Related: WNBA Fans React to Kamilla Cardoso's Heated Moment While Away From Chicago Sky Related: WNBA Fans Upset After Angel Reese News on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
WNBA Announces 18 Team Expansion With Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 30: A view of the WNBA logo before the game between the Seattle Storm ... More and the New York Liberty at Climate Pledge Arena on August 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The WNBA announced the league is once again expanding due to its growth and popularity. The WNBA currently sits at 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries this season and will move to 15 teams in 2026 with newcomers Toronto Tempo and Portland. The league reported they will move to 18 teams by 2030 with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. These new additions will bring another team in Philadelphia to the east coast joining the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream, as well as two teams in Cleveland and Detroit to the midwest joining the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx. The WNBA situated that these cities were chosen intentionally, 'Each location was selected based on an analysis of market viability, committed long-term ownership groups, potential for significant local fan, corporate, media, and city and state support, arena and practice facilities, and community commitment to advancing the sport, among other factors.' In the press conference commissioner Cathy Englebert centered the moment for the WNBA stating, 'Our viewership is at an all-time high, our arenas are buzzing, and our league continues to make an impact on sport and culture. With these new teams our league will grow nearly every season for the rest of this decade, the Golden State Valkyries this year, the Toronto Tempo and Portland in 2026, Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. This expansion marks far more than an increase in teams, it's a transformational investment in the future of women's sports. With more teams, more roster spots, and more scale, the WNBA is building on a wave of momentum that is only growing stronger.' Cleveland and Detroit Revitalized Nic Barlage, representing the Cleveland Cavaliers, and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert listen ... More during a news conference, Monday, June 30, 2025, in New York, announcing WNBA basketball expansion teams in Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland. (AP Photo/Doug Feinberg) For longtime fans of the WNBA this is particularly exciting news as teams rejoining in Cleveland and Detroit means revitalizing the history of professional women's basketball in those cities. The Cleveland Rockers were one of the first teams in the inception of the league in 1997 until the team was dissolved in 2003 and the Detroit Shock played from 1998 to 2009 which included four conference titles and three WNBA championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008. The Shock were moved to Tulsa in 2010 where they remained until 2015 before the team would move again to Dallas and become the Wings, the team we know in the league today. Cleveland is being led by Rock Entertainment Group and their Chairman Dan Gilbert. Rock Entertainment Group (REG), houses the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Charge (Cavaliers' G League affiliate), and Cleveland Monsters (AHL affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets). Detroit will be led by now Detroit Pistons owner and Platinum Equity Chairman Tom Gores. Gores said about earning the bid and winning the rights to one of the next group of WNBA teams, "This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA. Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Detroit played a key role in the league's early growth, and we're proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights.' As of now, there is no word whether the previous names, colors, and logos of past Cleveland and Detroit teams will be regenerated. Long Awaited Philadelphia Team Awarded Josh Harris, left, managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Arn Tellem, Detroit Pistons vice ... More chairman, Nic Barlage, representing the Cleveland Cavaliers, listen as WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 30, 2025, in New York, announcing WNBA basketball expansion teams in Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland. (AP Photo/Doug Feinberg) The last team added to the league's slate is Philadelphia, a city that has long been waiting and buzzing for a WNBA team, which will begin play in 2030. Philadelphia's team will be owned and operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and joining the NBA's 76ers. According to Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, Josh Harris, 'Philadelphia is one of the most storied basketball cities in the world and our region is home to some of the best women's players and coaches to ever grace the hardwood. It's only right that this city gets the WNBA team it deserves, and we're humbled to help usher in a new era of Philadelphia basketball.' Perhaps Philadelphia will lean heavily on another heavy hitter with deep roots to the city in Naismith award winning player and coach Dawn Staley. Staley, a Philly native has built not only an impressive playing career (3x Olympic Gold Medalist, 6x WNBA All-Star, 2x Honda Award winner and USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year), but also a dynasty as a coach at the University of South Carolina winning national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024, as well as an 2020 Tokyo Olympic Gold medal. Recently, Staley teased on an episode of Not Gonna Lie Podcast with Kylie Kelce (wife of longtime Philadelphia Eagle, Jason Kelce) that she has an interest in ownership in a WNBA team, especially one in her hometown. Time will tell if Staley will get involved with the front office of the franchise. Follow me for more women's sports content on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans in Disbelief Over Historic WNBA News That Changes Everything
Fans in Disbelief Over Historic WNBA News That Changes Everything originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The WNBA has exploded in popularity in recent years. Heralded for decades as an intensely competitive league that contained celebrated, Olympic gold-winning athletes, the arrival of players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has taken WNBA interest into an entirely new stratosphere. Advertisement This growth has been reflected in the league's expansion from 12 teams to 15 teams in 2026. The Golden State Valkyries, announced last year as the WNBA's 13th team, began play this season, while the Toronto Tempo and an unnamed Portland franchise will tip off next May. But on Monday, the WNBA made a stunning announcement. It is bringing three more new teams into the fold by 2030, putting the total number of clubs at 18 at the turn of the decade. Commissioner Cathy Englebert announced that WNBA basketball will return to Cleveland and Detroit in 2028, while a Philadelphia franchise will play its inaugural season in 2030. "The demand for women's basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family," Englebert said via statement. Advertisement Fans on social media had mixed reactions to the news. On X, @sportswithemma criticized the WNBA for placing more teams outside of the Southern United States, while @pippyboyer2029 asked the league to return to Florida. The WNBA's last Florida-based franchise was the Orlando Miracle, which relocated to Connecticut in 2003 and is now known as the Connecticut Sun. "Might be going a little overboard (but) I think 16 teams is plenty," wrote @Ace_Freeman72. "I'm happy Cleveland is getting a team but the league is losing money consistently. It's going to be tough to support more teams when you're already losing money." Despite concerns over financial viability, plenty of fans demonstrated their excitement over The W's continued growth. "Detroit and Cleveland deserve another shot at it now that the league is functional," wrote @allminnesota1. Detroit's previous franchise, the Shock, relocated to Tulsa after winning three championships between 2003 and 2008; the team is now known as the Dallas Wings. Advertisement "This is so dope can't wait to embrace the Philly team," wrote @TD1723. Yet one historic WNBA city is still waiting for a new team. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA championships between 1997 and 2008, but the franchise folded in 2008, and the wait goes on for The W to return to one of the nation's largest media markets. "HOUSTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THIS LIST!!!!" wrote @KeepitonLO13. "Umm…..Houston please," @AgentEight_ said. Related: WNBA Team Releases TJ McConnell's Sister on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
WNBA commissioner calls Caitlin Clark ‘most popular athlete in America,' talks schedule expansion
Caitlin Clark didn't just bring new fans to women's basketball, she introduced new viewers to the world of sports, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said during an interview on 'The Bill Simmons Podcast.' '(NBA commissioner) Adam (Silver) and I talk all the time about this; she's the most popular athlete in America,' Engelbert said. Advertisement With the second season of the WNBA's Caitlin Clark era set to tip off Friday night, the reigning Rookie of the Year remains the talk of the league despite Clark and the Indiana Fever not playing until Saturday. The league is brimming with other marketable stars such as 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, who will be making her WNBA debut Friday, and reigning MVP A'ja Wilson, who had a signature shoe released with Nike. And while that's a good problem for the league to have, Engelbert stressed the importance of showcasing the league's other standout players, while also leaning into the Clark phenomenon. 'It is a balance, but she's a generational talent,' Engelbert said. 'No league is ever about one player, but in this case, Caitlin brought tens of millions of new viewers into the W. And there's no denying that impact. 'You want to balance making sure that you're also promoting your other stars like an A'ja WIlson, like a Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier … That's why this year is sustain and gain. Sustain the momentum we had last year and gain even more new viewers.' Englebert and the league are leaning even more into the Clark momentum by broadcasting 41 of the Fever's 44 games on national TV. This is an unprecedented showcase for a league that just expanded from 36 games to 40 games in 2023 and now from 40 to 44 in 2025. And that expansion may not be complete. 'I can definitely see us going to 50 (games),' Englebert said. But lengthening the WNBA's summer schedule is complicated. On the front end, the league needs a buffer after the NCAA season for its rookies — Bueckers was drafted by the Dallas Wings just eight days after UConn won the NCAA title on April 6. And on the back end, lengthening the schedule means competing with the heart of college football and NFL season — the 2024 WNBA Finals wrapped on Oct. 20. Advertisement 'You can't move it too much forward if you want the rookies to come in, which we do because it's a great, it's a great theater system for us,' she said. 'So we'll look at the back end and how far can we go and how many NFL and college football Saturdays can we go into and we'll evaluate all that under the CBA.'
