Donnie Walhberg Makes Bid For New WNBA Team in Boston

Fresh off their most-viewed regular season ever, the WNBA is looking to grow. And one city that is seeking a new franchise is Boston.

In 2024, viewership of the WNBA grew to an average of 1.2 million viewers per game – a 170 percent increase over 2023. No surprise games where Caitlyn Clark faced Angel Reese were among the most watched overall, but then entire league also saw a major boost this season.

Now it’s using the new popularity to bring WNBA teams to even more cities across the country and some famous faces want Boston to be one of those cities.

The Sports Business Journal reported earlier this week that Boston’s own Donnie Wahlberg, along with former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams, are leading an ownership group that is “planning to prepare an offer for an expansion team.”

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The WNBA is reportedly in an “expansion flurry” with new teams already planned.

The league’s current 12 team roster will grow to 13 for the 2025 season with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries and add the Toronto Raptors along with an unnamed Portland team will join in 2026.

A Cleveland team will reportedly be the league’s 16th by the 2028 season, but Wahlberg’s new group, the Boston Women’s Basketball Partners, hope the WNBA doesn’t stop there.

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Along with cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, Nashville and Charlotte, Boston wants to represent in the WNBA too.

Last August over 19,000 fans turned out to see the CT Sun take on the LA Sparks at the TD Garden, so Wahlberg’s ownership group definitely thinks fan interest is there.

The group still has plenty of hurdles in their way however, having to make a formal offer, get approval from league owners and pay an expansion fee, so a Boston WNBA team is still far from reality.