The WNBA plans to expand its roster to 13 teams in 2025 and 15 by 2026, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert aiming to add a 16th franchise by 2027 or 2028. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, co-owner of the Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, and Sporting KC, is also interested in participating in the expansion process, aiming to strengthen his portfolio with a WNBA team.
Patrick Mahomes is aiming to bring a WNBA team to the Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is part of an ownership group aiming to bring a WNBA team to the Kansas City area, citing the success of the Kansas City Current women’s soccer team as evidence of the city’s support for a potential women’s basketball team. “We want to get basketball to Kansas City in general and then WNBA. The success that they’ve had this last season and these last few seasons, it’s kind of a no-brainer,” Mahomes said. Mahomes added, “To try to get a WNBA team in Kansas City to this fan base … the city of Kansas City is going to come out and they’re going to fill the stadium. It was cool that we were able to get this soccer team, this women’s soccer team here in the Current and they’re going into the playoffs now and you see the support that they have. So let’s try to get a WNBA team in here as well [with] that same ownership group. They’ve done the Current the right way, and I want to continue to work with them to take that next step and get a WNBA team here.” Mahomes expressed his desire to increase his involvement in sports ownership and women’s sports after retiring from the NFL. “Whenever I’m done playing football—whenever that is—and I have to venture off into life after football and chasing kids around and everything like that, I want to be able to still be a part of it,” Mahomes said. “And then, at the same time, showcase to my daughter that she can follow her dream and go out there and execute on whatever that dream is.”
