Could Vancouver be the WNBA’s next expansion market?
A group of business and basketball leaders is putting together a plan to bring a WNBA franchise to Vancouver, British Columbia, potentially giving Canada its second WNBA team.
The group is led by retired business executive Bill Bakk and Deloitte managing partner Jodi Evans, who have publicly outlined their plans as they work toward a potential franchise bid.
There is one major hurdle: the WNBA has not announced any expansion beyond the three franchises already approved for Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Those teams will bring the league to 18 franchises by 2030, with Cleveland beginning play in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. The WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors formally approved those three franchises in April 2026.
Vancouver’s group is looking beyond that timeline.
Bakk told Front Office Sports that the group is currently targeting 2031 for a potential Vancouver franchise, although the timeline could change depending on the league’s expansion plans.
“We want to be ready,” Bakk said.
The Group Hasn’t Submitted a Formal Bid—Yet
This is important: Vancouver does not currently have a WNBA franchise or an approved expansion bid.
According to Front Office Sports, the group has not yet submitted a formal bid to the league. It is working to solidify its plan and attract investors.
The group is reportedly seeking approximately $500 million Canadian ($350 million U.S.) to cover the potential expansion fee and construction of a practice facility.
Evans estimated the potential expansion fee at roughly $250 million, with the remaining funding going toward the practice facility.
Bakk also said he has spoken with people throughout the WNBA ecosystem—including current team owners—and received feedback that a Vancouver franchise is feasible.
That is the group’s assessment, however, rather than an indication that the WNBA has approved or committed to Vancouver.
Rogers Arena Could Be Home
One of the biggest pieces of the proposal is already familiar to basketball fans.
Rogers Arena, home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, is being considered as the potential home court for a Vancouver WNBA franchise.
The arena has already hosted WNBA games, including the league’s first regular-season game outside the United States in August 2025.
The group is also exploring the Pacific Coliseum as another possible venue, although renovations could be required.
A potential practice facility is another major part of the plan, with the group examining government-owned land near the Pacific Coliseum.
Why Vancouver?
The WNBA has already demonstrated an appetite for bringing games to Vancouver.
The league has played three games in Vancouver over the past two seasons, giving the city an opportunity to demonstrate its interest in women’s professional basketball.
The Vancouver proposal would also give the WNBA another international franchise after the Toronto Tempo, which began play in 2026.
But the geography presents an interesting question.
A Vancouver franchise would join the Seattle Storm and Portland Fire in the Pacific Northwest, creating a concentrated regional footprint while other parts of the United States—including the Southeast—have fewer WNBA teams.
What Happens Next?
For now, Vancouver remains a potential expansion market—not an announced WNBA franchise.
The league’s current expansion plan takes it through 2030, and a source familiar with the league’s decision-making told Front Office Sports that there are currently no additional expansion plans beyond Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
The timing could also depend on the WNBA’s next commissioner. Cathy Engelbert has announced that she will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
For Bakk and the Vancouver group, the objective appears to be getting prepared before the next expansion window opens.
If the WNBA eventually decides to expand beyond 18 teams, Vancouver wants to be ready to make its case.
And if that happens, the WNBA could be coming back to Vancouver—this time for good.
