The WNBA shook many with their new CBA proposal, not because of the commercial values, but because the new schedule threatens major overlap with the NCAA tournament. This is partly to accommodate the extended schedule with two new expansion teams joining in 2026. While fans might see this on a regular basis, Candace Parker was particularly unhappy with one reason: the lack of an expansion team in Tennessee.
Midway through the 2025 season, the league announced three new teams that will join the league in 2028, 2029, and 2030. CP was part of this expansion plan, but couldn’t get the team for her city, and she is still hopeful for the same.
Candace Parker Optimistic About WNBA Team In Tennessee
The former Tennessee star was one of the bidders for the WNBA team as she unveiled a bold, ambitious dream for WNBA greatness. Even after missing out on the expansion in the coming five years, she is ready to wait and prepared for the team in the city. On her recent appearance on the ‘All The Smoke’ with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, CP opened up on her views.
“I think Tennessee deserves a team just in general. I think women’s basketball is on the map because of Tennessee. Tennessee led the country in attendance from 2004 to 2014. I was there from 04 to 08, and I saw the road attendance, the home attendance,” Parker said.
She added that she experienced the same at the college level and understands the meaning of the game for the city. Keeping her hopes high, she concluded with “what’s delayed is not denied.”
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Even though the star couldn’t bring back a WNBA team to the city, she will always be Tennessee’s icon for what she has achieved in her short period.
Candace Parker Is A Tennessee Basketball Legend
Spending four seasons at the Tennessee Vols, the player cemented her legacy as one of the shining superstars of women’s basketball. She helped the team win two NCAA Titles and earned the MOP award for her performances. Moreover, the three-time WNBA champion was the first female athlete to dunk in an NCAA tournament game and still holds multiple records for the program, including most dunks in a career and in a season.
AP released their All-Time women’s college basketball players 👇
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) October 17, 2025
• Caitlin Clark
• Candace Parker
• Cheryl Miller
• Breanna Stewart
• Diana Taurasi pic.twitter.com/LjHUatlEwL
Despite multiple title winners and record holders in NCAA History, the Associated Press chose Candace Parker for the All-Time NCAA First Team, alongside Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, and Cheryl Miller, which highlights her impact on the game during her four collegiate seasons.