WNBA team in Philly gets boost as part of Comcast-Sixers megadeal
Nestled within today’s marathon press conference about the partnership between the 76ers and Comcast Spectacor to build a new arena in South Philly was some promising news for women’s basketball fans: The push for Philly’s long-discussed WNBA expansion franchise is a priority.
In fact, Comcast is joining the effort as a minority stakeholder in a potential Philly WNBA franchise.
“The icing on the cake is we’re working together to bring the WNBA to Philadelphia, which I think could be amazing as well,” said Brian L. Roberts, CEO and chair of Comcast at the press conference, which also announced his company’s partnership with the Sixers to develop the new arena in South Philly and revitalize Market East. The shock of that news on Sunday elicited joy from Center City Arena opponents and surprise and anger from some council members who took very difficult votes for the original plan.
The Sixers’ push for a WNBA franchise in Philadelphia was promised in the Center City arena plan. The addition of Comcast as a minority stakeholder in the possible expansion team is a new wrinkle.
https://billypenn.com/2025/01/13/wnba-franchise-bid-philadelphia-comcast-sixers-new-south-philly-arena-deal/