The WNBA has ambitious plans for expansion in the near future. The league is on track to increase its teams to 13 in 2025 and 15 by 2026. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed her intention to add a 16th franchise by 2027 or 2028.
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, seems to be interested in participating in the expansion process as well.
Reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicate that Mahomes and his wife Brittany, who are part of the ownership group of the Kansas City Current NWSL team, have met with the WNBA to bring a franchise to Kansas City.
The WNBA is set to welcome the Golden State Valkyries in 2025 for their inaugural season, with Toronto and Portland franchises expected to join in 2026.
As WNBA expansion continues, ownership of the NWSL’s KC Current — which includes Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany — has met with the WNBA and is in contention to bring the league’s next franchise to Kansas City. Mahomes also co-owns the KC Royals and Sporting KC. pic.twitter.com/9kd2VXzWR3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2024
Mahomes, a co-owner of the Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, and Sporting KC, is looking to expand his portfolio by adding a WNBA team.
Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission, expressed her support for bringing a WNBA team to the city.
Nelson stated, “Now it’s our time to wave our hand and show our prideful flag of, ‘We think we’re the great city for this, for that next team,'” regarding the WNBA’s expansion plans.
She also expressed that the ownership group of the Current would be a strong candidate for a WNBA franchise.
Nelson added, “I certainly think what you see with the KC Current, I think that ownership group works so well, it could certainly be the perfect ownership group for a future WNBA franchise.”
