WNBA announces shock expansion news as THREE new cities join league amid Caitlin Clark boom

The WNBA have confirmed expansion plans that will see three new franchises joining the league from 2028.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert held a press conference on Monday afternoon to reveal that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will register teams in the league. 

Engelbert said: 'The demand for women's basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family.

'This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league's extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women's professional basketball.' 

Both Cleveland and Detroit previously had franchises in the WNBA, while Philadelphia also had a team in the American Basketball League - which ran from 1996-98.

As it stands, Cleveland will be the first to join the league, in 2028, with Detroit joining the following year and Philadelphia the season after that.

Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and the Cavaliers said: 'It's such a natural fit that when you already have this basketball-related infrastructure, these strategies, cultures that you find to be successful, combinations of personnel that you find to be successful. 

'Extending that into the WNBA, is just a natural next progression, especially if you have a desire to grow like we do.' 

More to follow...