Can Vancouver Be the WNBA’s Next Market?
A source says the WNBA has no expansion plans beyond what’s been announced.
The WNBA is considering expanding to Vancouver, Canada. Bill Bakk, a retired business executive, and Jodi Evans, a Deloitte managing partner, have formed a group expressing their desire to build the 19th WNBA franchise. The group has not yet submitted a formal bid to the league, but they plan to finalize their strategy over the next one or two years.
If successful, the team would join the WNBA in 2031, the year following the completion of the current round of expansion and the return of a franchise to Detroit. Bakk is open to the possibility of an existing team relocating to Vancouver, though a WNBA source confirms the league has no further expansion plans beyond what has been announced so far.
Vancouver could present a challenge due to the geographical bottleneck, as there would be three WNBA franchises in the Pacific Northwest region, alongside the Fire and Seattle Storm. The WNBA has shown interest in globalization as a growth opportunity, with recent games played in Vancouver. However, the lack of an NBA team in Vancouver creates a geographical disadvantage, as three WNBA franchises would be in the region.
The team is seeking approximately $500 million CAD ($350 million USD) to fund its bid, which includes the expansion fee and practice facility. The expansion fee is estimated to be around $250 million, with the remaining funds used for a practice facility. Bakk acknowledges the need for investors with ownership stakes in major professional sports franchises.
The WNBA has historically favored markets with ties to NBA team ownership, citing infrastructure as a key reason. However, Vancouver does not currently have an NBA team. Rogers Arena, home to the Canucks, is the leading option for hosting potential WNBA games, as it has already hosted WNBA matches, including the first outside the U.S. in August 2025.
Another option, Pacific Coliseum, where the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes play, may require renovations before accommodating a WNBA franchise.
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
