|
"(Adding four new teams) will add 48 roster
spots in just a couple of years," Engelbert said. "That, in a
league of 144 (players currently), is a lot. That's 30 percent.
I think it'll be great when we get those done over the next
couple years."
Philadelphia, Toronto, Denver, Nashville and South Florida are
in discussions with the WNBA regarding franchises, according to
Engelbert.
"It's complex because you need the arena and practice facility
and player housing and all the things you need, committed
long-term ownership groups," the commissioner said. "And so, the
nice thing is we're getting a lot of calls, we're continuing to
engage with cities. ...
"These can either take a very long time to negotiate or it can
happen pretty quickly if you find the right ownership group with
the right arena situation."
Portland was previously considered a front-runner for a WNBA
expansion franchise, but the plans were put on hold late last
year due to issues involving pending renovations to the Portland
Trail Blazers' arena.
The San Francisco Bay Area team, which has yet to announce a
name, will stock its roster with an expansion draft in December,
Engelbert said Monday.
--Field Level Media
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
