Expansion means more opportunities, and who wouldn’t want to grab one? Especially when it’s as lucrative as owning a WNBA team, as the market for the women’s game keeps expanding. Ever since the league announced the expansion, all eyes have been on it. Among those waiting eagerly for their chance are Jayson Tatum and Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. Their rivalry has been the highlight in this bidding race, but they have some bad news on their way.

In May 2023, Jayson Tatum made his first venture into team ownership, becoming a part-owner of the Los Angeles Mad Drops, a Major League Pickleball team. Now he wants to bring a WNBA team to his home, St.Louis, Missouri. But that hope was dashed, just like Mahomes was dealt another blow following his Super Bowl loss. The massive news was revealed by Tom Friend of the Sports Business Journal, reporting that the new franchise would be heading to Cleveland. While the official announcement is still pending, expectations are high that the team will enter the league in 2028.

Cleveland’s fate of landing the team could be clearer by the end of March, with the incoming team to be branded as the Cleveland Rockers. That’s the same name as the previous women’s team that was shut down in 2003. As per Tom Friend, the franchise could be sold at as high as $250 million. Steve Greenberg, the managing director of Allen & Co., which is overseeing the expansion process on behalf of the WNBA, is yet to comment on the matter.

This news now essentially ends Jayson Tatum and Patrick Mahomes’ dreams. After the success of the Kansas City Current, the National Women’s Soccer League team co-owned by Mahomes, the Chiefs star is willing to replicate that success with a WNBA team. “If we were able to get a WNBA team to Kansas City, it would be packed every single night,” the NFL star declared.

Tatum, too, has a solid reason for pushing this. JT’s journey, rooted in St. Louis, goes beyond just his personal connections.

Bringing a WNBA team there reflects his desire to inspire and uplift young, talented women who share his passion to make a meaningful impact on society. Tatum’s $314 million contract is good enough to get the job done, but that’s not how it works. If so, then Mahomes would’ve flown past in the race with his $450 million contract with the Kansas City team. In this bidding war, both of the superstars had their respective alliances full of millionaires.

Jayson Tatum’s WNBA dream dashed despite billionaire backing

“I’m very prideful about where I’m from. And I have a sister who lives in St. Louis. She’s 11. So just understanding how big of an impact that would be for the city of St. Louis,” Jayson Tatum said during the All-Star weekend media availability on Saturday. “And, you know, a bunch of girls that are around my sister’s age and the next generation. So if that were to happen, I would, you know, love to be a part of it. And I think it would be big for, you know, the city of St. Louis.”

Those chances have fizzled out since the latest update on the bidding. However, looking back at the crew JT assembled, one could wonder why he didn’t win.

For Tatum, billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman will back the St. Louis bid. Both of them have a history of sports team ownership. The experience they brought to the table was immense for Tatum, but just not enough to get the deal over the line. But failure is the first step to success, and Tatum has proved in his career how to deal with setbacks. The only question remains if this financial fight is just too big for him.