Exciting Developments for Women’s Basketball
In an exciting development for women’s basketball, both Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum are vying to bring a WNBA expansion team to their respective cities. On October 30, NFL reporter Adam Schefter revealed that Mahomes is part of an ownership group seeking to secure a WNBA franchise for Kansas City. Alongside his wife, Brittany, Mahomes is involved with KC Current, the city’s NWSL team, and has been in discussions with the WNBA about this expansion opportunity.
Plans for Expansion
As the WNBA plans to add a 16th franchise by the 2028 season, Mahomes expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We want to bring basketball to Kansas City in general, and then the WNBA. The success they’ve had in recent seasons makes this decision a no-brainer.” Kansas City is also set to welcome the Golden State Valkyries as the 13th franchise in 2025, with additional teams planned for Toronto and Portland by 2026.
Jayson Tatum’s Ambitious Move
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum is making headlines of his own. According to Jacob Feldman from Sportico, Tatum is part of a powerful group aiming to establish a WNBA team in St. Louis. This initiative could see Tatum become the first active NBA player to own a stake in a WNBA franchise, a possibility recently approved in the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Heating Up the Competition
With both Mahomes and Tatum in the running, the competition for the WNBA’s 16th franchise is heating up, and it will be fascinating to see which star athlete will succeed in bringing professional women’s basketball to their city in the near future. As these prominent athletes push for expansion, their involvement highlights the growing popularity and importance of the WNBA and women’s sports as a whole.
