The WNBA began play in 1997 and will play its 29th season this year.
Throughout the league’s history, there have been many changes to the teams, including expansion and relocations. In 2025, the league will welcome its 13th team, the Golden State Valkyries, as part of a process to go up to 15 teams in 2026.
Who are the current WNBA teams?
The WNBA consists of six Eastern Conference teams and seven Western Conference teams.
The Eastern Conference teams are: Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, and Washington Mystics.
The Western Conference teams are: Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm.
What cities are being added through expansion?
The WNBA will bring in the Toronto Tempo and an unnamed Portland franchise in 2026 to bring the league’s total to 15 teams.
Toronto is the first Canadian team in WNBA history.
More: Phoenix Mercury’s Monique Billings taken by Golden State Valkyries in WNBA expansion draft
Who else is bidding for an expansion franchise?
The WNBA is hoping to grow to 16 teams in 2028 and is on track to do so. Several cities are rumored to be in contention for the final expansion franchise.
On Jan. 30, Nashville submitted a bid for a franchise called the Tennessee Summitt, in honor of legendary Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt. The ownership group is spearheaded by Nashville Predators chairman and former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy. The star-studded group includes retired WNBA champion Candace Parker, NFL legend Peyton Manning, and country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
The Detroit Pistons ownership group has filed a bid. In late 2024, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert applied to bring a franchise back to Cleveland.
Other teams that are rumored to have entered the race include Philadelphia, Austin (backed by Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant), Kansas City (NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes), St. Louis (Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum), Houston (Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta), and Milwaukee.
What WNBA teams don’t exist anymore?
Six teams have folded and five teams have relocated in the league’s history.
The six teams that are now defunct are Charlotte Sting (1997-2007), Cleveland Rockers (1997-2003), Houston Comets (1997-2008), Miami Sol (2000-02), Portland Fire (2000-02), and Sacramento Monarchs (1997-2009).
The teams that relocated are the Orlando Miracle (1999-2002), which became the Connecticut Sun. The Utah Starzz (1997-2002), which became the San Antonio Silver Stars (2003-2013) and are now the Las Vegas Aces. The Detroit Shock (1998-2009), which became the Tulsa Shock (2010-2015) and are now the Dallas Wings.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who are the current WNBA teams? A look at all 13 teams and more
