Former NBA athlete Michael Carter-Williams has expressed his aspirations to establish a WNBA team in Boston, whether through the league’s expansion or as a relocation site for an existing franchise.
As a member of the Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group, he is at the forefront of this endeavor. Although the group has yet to file a formal expansion bid with the WNBA, they have engaged with representatives from the company managing the expansion process for the league.
“Our primary aim is to bring a team to Boston,” Carter-Williams stated in a telephone interview. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an expansion team or if a franchise is looking to relocate here.”
Carter-Williams mentioned that the group has organized all necessary arrangements for potential playing and practice facilities, emphasizing that the crucial next step is acquiring a franchise.
Last year, Boston successfully hosted a WNBA match when the Connecticut Sun played at the TD Garden, the home arena of the Celtics. Another WNBA game is scheduled there soon, featuring Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever against the Sun.
Carter-Williams conveyed his group’s interest if the Sun were ever to be put up for sale; however, discussions regarding such a move appear to be nonexistent, leading to some uncertainty. “It’s something we would think about, but there hasn’t been much discussion at this point,” he remarked. “We aim to be extremely prepared for any scenario.”
The deadline for submitting new expansion bids passed on January 30, meaning pursuing an existing team would be the most straightforward route for the Boston group to secure a WNBA franchise.
Recently, the WNBA confirmed the addition of three expansion teams over the next couple of years: Golden State will begin playing this season, followed by teams in Toronto and Portland slated to start in 2026. Additionally, the league plans to add a 16th team by 2028.
Several cities have already put forward their bids, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Houston, and Nashville, suggesting that the WNBA could expand beyond 16 teams sooner than expected. Below are highlights of other cities in the race for expansion:
Cleveland’s bid is spearheaded by the ownership group associated with the Cavaliers, including owner Dan Gilbert. Reports indicate that Cleveland could likely secure the next expansion team, although details are still pending. “While we maintain a high level of optimism about our competitive WNBA bid, we are awaiting confirmation from the league regarding their finalists,” stated a spokesperson from the Cleveland group.
In Nashville, a group led by Bill Haslam, chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, is driving their own expansion efforts. This consortium includes notable investors such as Candace Parker and Peyton Manning, along with country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Uniquely, they have designated a team name—Tennessee Summit—in honor of legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, Detroit, and Houston are also pushing to reclaim WNBA franchises they once had. Detroit’s bid includes prominent figures such as Pistons owner Tom Gores and executives from General Motors, while Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, aims to relaunch a Houston franchise at the Toyota Center, where the Comets previously earned four consecutive championships. The Charlotte Hornets are backing a revival of the Sting.
In cities like Kansas City, Austin, and St. Louis, the backing of celebrity athletes has lent clout to their WNBA aspirations. Patrick Mahomes is championing Kansas City’s bid, while Kevin Durant is making waves in Austin. Mahomes, speaking in October, highlighted the potential for basketball in Kansas City, noting strong community support for all sports. In Austin, Durant echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the city is well-equipped to support top-tier women’s basketball.
Lastly, Philadelphia is bolstering its bid, leveraging plans for a new sports complex that would accommodate both the NBA franchise and the Flyers. This development could facilitate travel and heighten rivalries with teams in New York, Washington, and Connecticut.
