When Alexa Philippou of ESPN reported in April of last year that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was “pretty confident” the league would expand to 16 teams by 2028, with the goal of adding a 14th team by 2026, it seemed like an ambitious dream. Fast forward to 2025, and those plans are quickly taking shape, with Cleveland already on track to welcome a new team by 2028. What seemed like a distant vision is now on the verge of becoming reality—and it’s raising questions about the pace of growth for the league.

In the words of Subria Whitaker, a notable voice in the discussion, “IMO: The WNBA is not prepared for this level of expansion so soon.” It’s a valid concern, especially with so much happening so quickly. While the WNBA’s recent momentum is undeniable—thanks to players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—the pace at which the league is growing may be too fast for its own good.

Reports from Sports Business Journal suggest that Cleveland is set to be the next stop for WNBA expansion, marking the return of the league to the city that once hosted the original Rockers from 1997 to 2003.

This franchise was one of the league’s early teams, owned by Gordon Gund, who also owned the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland is poised to join the ranks of the Golden State Valkyries, which will debut this season, and the Toronto Tempo, expected in 2026. Yet, as more teams prepare to enter the WNBA fold, the excitement is tempered by some legitimate concerns from the community.

Fans and players worry WNBA’s rapid expansion—Cleveland, Toronto, and Golden State join, but is growth outpacing the game?

One fan put it bluntly: “They are growing entirely too fast.” Just after the Golden State Valkyries join the league, the Toronto Tempo is already slated for 2026, and now Cleveland might soon be added to the mix. The concern is that the league might be growing faster than its viewership can handle, which could create a gap between the number of teams and the audience to support them.

Another fan echoed these concerns, saying, “Agreed, I’m all for expanding but maybe like 1 every 5 years to help sustain growth.” With the WNBA already undergoing significant changes, this approach feels more grounded in reality. The reported bid for Cleveland’s return is a staggering $250 million, with the city holding a 90% chance of landing a team by 2028. With the Golden State Valkyries entering in 2025, the Toronto Tempo and Portland in 2026, and Cleveland set to debut in 2028, the league might be expanding so fast it barely has time to catch its breath.

One more fan hit the nail on the head, saying, “Totally agree. Plus, the current players will not see the added value in their pockets. Adding teams will keep the salary cap lower than what it could be in the next round of CBA negotiations.” This is a crucial point. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) governs the WNBA’s salary structure, and adding teams too quickly could dilute the value of player contracts. The salary cap is already a limiting factor, with only modest increases each year—3% per season until 2027. The WNBA may be shooting itself in the foot if it expands too rapidly, leaving players with fewer financial opportunities despite the league’s increased visibility.

Another fan voiced their concern over the impact on the players, noting, “They have so many talented players who gave up on their careers because they got waived so early in their careers. They need to slow down or the talent gap will be too great to ignore.” This point reflects a reality that fans and players alike are grappling with. Although this will mitigate the waiver of players due to salary cap and roster limitations, As the league expands, there’s a risk of stretching the talent pool too thin, making it harder for young, promising players to get their shot. If the WNBA doesn’t slow its expansion, it may find itself with too many teams and not enough talent to fill them properly.

One fan added, “Yeah… They really should leave a couple years in between starting new teams… Like back when they announced Portland, I was so confused why it was going to be so soon and to add, the extra games/new playoff schedule… Give the players/organizations time to adjust.”  this is true as adding another team would open up players who have just transferred to various new teams this year, this will once again put pressure on the teams to core their players once again and might result in quick 1 year transfers.

As the league moves forward with its expansion plans, the WNBA must balance ambition with sustainability. The increase in the salary cap might not be enough to keep pace with the changes coming, and the current players—whose financial futures are tied to these decisions—could be left behind. The league’s growth needs to be methodical and strategic, ensuring that the talent pool and financial infrastructure can support it, or risk leaving too much behind.