The Comcast-Sixers partnership boosts hopes for a WNBA team in Philadelphia, exciting fans and stakeholders alike.
Comcast is stepping in as a minority stakeholder in this potential franchise, which is a big deal. Brian L. Roberts, Comcast’s CEO, expressed his enthusiasm, saying it could be amazing for the city. This announcement came alongside plans for the new arena in South Philly, which has stirred up quite a bit of reaction from the community.
The Sixers had already promised to push for a WNBA team as part of their arena plans, and now with Comcast involved, it feels like things are really moving. NBA commissioner Adam Silver even joined the press conference virtually, sharing his support for the project and the leadership behind it.
Grassroots advocates like Esther Rosen, who runs the “WNBA Philly” social media accounts, are thrilled about this news. She mentioned that the community is really excited about the potential for a team.
Currently, the WNBA has 12 teams, and with new franchises on the way, Philly is being considered for expansion. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that Philadelphia is among the viable candidates for a new team by 2027 or 2028.
Watch Party PHL, led by Jen Leary, also supports the WNBA bid. She believes that with Comcast’s involvement, the proposal is stronger and more unifying for the community.
Interest in women’s sports is on the rise, especially after last season’s record attendance. A bid for a Philly team has been in the works since 2021, led by comedian Wanda Sykes and her wife. They were present at the press conference, showing their commitment to the cause.
Big names like Kevin Durant, Will Smith, and Billie Jean King are also backing the bid, which could see the team named the Philadelphia Sisters. With strong support from local leaders and the community, hopes are high for this franchise to become a reality soon.
Sykes expressed her optimism, saying the current support makes the chances of success look great. She ended the press conference with a light-hearted “go Birds,” showing her excitement for the future.
