NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 A look at the three expansion teams that the WNBA is adding over the next few years:
___
Cleveland
First year of play: 2028.
Majority ownership group: Dan Gilbert, who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Where they'll play: Rocket Arena, home of the Cavaliers.
Practice facility: Retrofit a facility in Independence, Ohio, that is currently used by the Cavaliers.
What they're saying: 鈥淭hey're a ready-made operation, arena, demographic, the psychographic, all the data, those numbers,鈥 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a data geek. All the data we鈥檝e been looking at as it relates to what would make a successful franchise and obviously look no further than what we already did in the Bay Area.鈥
___
Detroit
First year of play: 2029.
Majority ownership group: Tom Gores, who owns the Detroit Pistons.
Minority owners: Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Jared Goff.
Where they鈥檒l play: Little Caesars Arena, home of the Pistons.
Practice facility: Building a new facility.
What they鈥檙e saying: 鈥淚 think this will be bigger than just the basketball team coming back. It鈥檚 recognition of all the things that are happening in the city. And finally, I think it鈥檚 going to have a real economic impact," Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem said.
___
Philadelphia
First year of play: 2030.
Majority ownership group: Josh Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers.
Where they鈥檒l play: A new arena being built in downtown Philadelphia.
Practice facility: The 76ers have a practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.
What they're saying: 鈥淧hilly fans are passionate, they are full on. They hold you accountable and they hold everyone accountable, the players, the team, the ownership and, you know, we embrace that and embrace them," said Harris Blitzer 糖心vlog国产 & Entertainment Managing Partner and co-founder Josh Harris, who owns the 76ers. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of names who鈥檝e come out of Philly women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 basketball, and there are a lot of girls playing basketball in Philly right now and this is something that needed to happen.鈥
___
AP WNBA:
