Sophie Cunningham from Indiana Fever responds in the second half in a WNBA basketball match against the Los Angeles Sparks, Thursday 26 June 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
MINNEAPOLIS – On Monday, the WNBA announced its plans to add three more expansion teams in 2030.
On Tuesday, a prominent player doubted the choice of the competition of markets.
Read: Wnba is spreading to Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia
Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham took care of her during the Shootaround for the victory of the 74-59 of the fever on the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final.
The competition already had plans to add franchises in Toronto and Portland next season. The three new teams play in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030), which gives the League 18 teams.
Cunningham, a seven-year-old veteran who spent her first six years in Phoenix, expressed skepticism about the latest choices, of which Twee-Ccleveland and Detroit-Al WNBA franchises have seen and go.
“You also want to listen to your players. Where do they want to play? Where are they going to be enthusiastic about playing and pulling fans? I think Miami would have been a great (location). Nashville is a great city. Kansas City, a great opportunity,” said Cunningham, who played at the university on Missouri.
Read: Valkyries bring WNBA Basketball to Bay Area in Franchised debut
“I am not sure what the thinking process is, but at the end of the day you want to make sure that you do not expand our competition too quickly. I think that is something else. It is a kind of difficult decision -making situation. But man, I don’t know how excited people are to go to Detroit or (Cleveland).”
Cunningham scored 13 points to help the fever, which Ster Caitlin Clark missed due to a groin injury, defeated the competition-best Lynx. She did not speak with reporters after the game.
All five expansion ranchises will play in markets with NBA teams, and fever coach Stephanie White said she sees that as an advantage.
“I think it’s positive,” said White. “Having built-in fan bases, shared expenses … and the way we fill NBA argas. We are at a point where we outgrow some of the smaller, independent, and possibilities to play in those arenas is great.”
Your subscription cannot be saved. Try it again.
Your subscription has been successful.
#Sophie #Cunningham #fan #WNBA #extension #Cleveland #Detroit