WNBA will be expanding to 15 teams by 2026. So far, we’ve got Golden State gearing up for 2025 as the Valkyries, Portland jumping in by 2026, and Toronto snagging a team too. But Commissioner Cathy Engelbert isn’t stopping there. She’s confident the WNBA will hit 16 teams by 2028. And Kansas City has stated its desire to have a WNBA franchise to play at the T-Mobile Center. It’s like watching a draft board light up—exciting, strategic, and packed with potential.

“You think about the KC Current, the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament,” Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the KC Sports Commission and VisitKC, said in October. “Women’s sports are on the rise, and so is Kansas City.” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also has stated his desire to have the WNBA play in Kansas City. The ownership group of the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, which includes Patrick and Brittany Mahomes along with Angie and Chris Long, reportedly has met with the WNBA. And according to Mahomes, vouching for a WNBA team for Kansas City wasn’t a tough call.

“It’s kind of no-brainer to try and get a WNBA team in Kansas City, to this fan base. It was cool that we were able to get the soccer team and they’re going to the playoffs now, and you see the support they have,” Mahomes said. “Let’s try to get a WNBA team here as well with the same type of ownership group,” Mahomes had said in October. His vision now has got a boost from none other than the WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.

Here’s the scene: Caitlin Clark was chopping it up on New Heights with Travis and Jason Kelce. The talk shifted to the WNBA expanding, and Caitlin pointed out how the schedule will only get busier with more teams. And she’s not wrong as more games will mean fatigue, which would eventually mean players would be more prone to injuries.

But talking of expansion, the red and gold pride oozed out from Trav as he casually dropped the nugget on his podcast: “I heard, Kansas City is shopping around for a team!” Caitlin, clearly in the loop, responded, “They are trying to bring one, I know.” And just like that, we know it’s all going to become a talking point again!

But this isn’t just locker room chatter. Kansas City is genuinely making moves. With the WNBA’s popularity soaring—breaking attendance and viewership records—the league is set to bring in serious revenue. Remember when Forbes estimated the league’s total value at $1.16 billion back in June 2024? Well, the trend is only pointing up. More teams, more games, more packed arenas—it’s a no-brainer. Now, why Kansas City?

Why not! The sports culture is crazy in the city. The Current became the first NWSL team to sell out every home game in a season. Don’t you think it’s time the City of Fountains added a little basketball splash? At least, Travis Kelce’s main man on the gridiron Patrick Mahomes thinks so.

Top Comment by Gary Ackerson

Just what we need is expanding a league that can’t turn a profit

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Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Caitlin Clark are all on the same page

Picture this: Caitlin Clark casually drops, “They [Kansas] got a good basketball arena there… Sprint Center.” Before you can even nod in agreement, Travis Kelce chimes in, “Used to be Sprint Center, now it’s T-Mobile Center.” Clark’s reply? “Women’s basketball could be great there.” Sounds like a laid-back chat, right? But it’s also a hint at something much bigger brewing in Kansas City.

Enter Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ MVP quarterback and part-time visionary. Mahomes is pushing for a WNBA franchise in Kansas City. He calls it a “no-brainer.” His reasoning? “The success that [the Kansas City Current] has had this last season… let’s try to get a WNBA team to this fan base.”

Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, having stakes in the Current, have seen firsthand how the city rallies behind its teams. Can you imagine the energy for a WNBA squad? Kansas City’s got the bones for it—just look at the T-Mobile Center, built in 2007 with dreams of hosting an NBA or NHL team.

Mahomes also has minority ownership stakes in the Royals, Sporting KC, and the Alpine Formula One team. According to him, sports ownership is about more than just business opportunities. “It’s because Kansas City is such a great place for me,” he said. “It’s a place I call home, where I built a house and (where) I’ll be for a long, long time — being involved in the community as much as possible. And I love sports and I know how much the city loves sports. Let’s bring as a many sports (teams) here and showcase how great Kansas City is, and the people are.”

While those plans fizzled, the T-Mobile arena is far from quiet, hosting events like the Big 12 basketball tournaments. With the WNBA eyeing expansion, Mahomes wants to position KC as a top contender. His pitch? KC doesn’t just love sports— it lives for them.