Fresh Intel Reveals WNBA Team Could Return 17 Years After Being Dissolved

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 12:36 PM ET

The WNBA has 13 teams following the addition of the Golden State Valkyries this season. That number will rise to 15 in 2026 when the Toronto Tempo and Portland's new franchise begin play.

There has been growing momentum behind adding a 16th team, and recent conversations suggest it's becoming more of a reality.

One city pushing hard for a franchise is Houston. Ryan Tanke, recently hired as COO of the NBA's Houston Rockets, brings valuable WNBA experience to the table. He previously served on the WNBA Board of Governors and spent years leading the Minnesota Lynx, making Houston a strong candidate to rejoin the league.

In a recent interview with Sports Business Journal, Tanke addressed the possibility of bringing a team back to Houston:

“I don’t know where the bid stands, but having been on the WNBA Board of Governors and having led the Lynx for many years, it would be a strong one for me to help launch,” he said.

The Houston Comets were one of the league’s original teams and were wildly successful. They built a dynasty, winning four straight WNBA titles and making the playoffs in each of their first seven seasons. The franchise folded in 2008.

While Cleveland has emerged as a strong candidate for the 16th team, league expansion conversations haven’t stopped there. Philadelphia is considered a frontrunner for a franchise as early as 2029. That puts Houston in a competitive group of potential markets that includes Nashville, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami and Charlotte.

In April, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was "pretty confident" the league would move to 16 teams, but had no comment on further expansion. Engelbert added:

"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," Engelbert said before the WNBA draft. "And so, the nice thing is we're getting a lot of calls; we're continuing to engage with cities."

Earlier this year, the WNBA applied to trademark several historic team names, including the Houston Comets, Cleveland Rockers, Detroit Shock, Miami Sol and Charlotte Sting.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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