With four regular-season MVP titles and three Finals MVP awards, A’ja Wilson put herself above the rest of the WNBA in terms of the major accolades earned. Her college coach, Dawn Staley, called Wilson the Greatest WNBA player, citing her impact and accomplishments in the league.
So it is obvious that anyone would want to have the most influential player on the roster, especially an expansion team. That’s exactly what happened with Kylie Kelce, who had the Aces’ superstar on her ‘Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce’ podcast and subtly tried to pitch for Philadelphia’s chances of adding her in 2030.
Kylie Kelce Tries To Recruit A’ja Wilson To Philadelphia Team
When the WNBA announced its expansion to the three new cities – Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, two people were very happy about it: Kylie Kelce and Dawn Staley. The duo has Philly roots and were happy with the WNB’s decision to have a basketball team in the city.
Knowing the connection between Dawn Staley and Wilson, Kelce tried to get to the subject with the South Carolina Coach’s name. She said, “As a lifelong Philadelphia resident, I did also talk to Dawn [Staley] about the WNBA team in Philly, which we are of course getting, 2030. I have five years to do this, but I’m gonna start right now. How can I recruit you to Philadelphia?”
Wilson also laughed at the idea and said, “The city is beautiful, that’s always a plus. Let me get the wheels turning a little bit. We can like maybe reconsider some things. It’s a fight with Vegas, though. Good luck with that.”
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Although Wilson praised Dawn Staley’s impact on her South Carolina upbringing, her final sentence highlights her connection with Vegas.
A’ja Wilson With Strong Desire To Leave Legacy In Las Vegas
Despite Kelce’s efforts, it seems moving the former South Carolina girl out of Vegas seems impossible, especially when they are winning and the team is sticking behind the leader with the support she needs on the floor.
Although the 29-year-old is an unrestricted free agent in 2026, she is expected to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces in early 2026, as she previously expressed a strong desire to retire with the team that drafted her.
While the uncertainty around the new collective bargaining agreement adds a layer of complexity, her history with the team and public statements suggest a long-term deal is likely. So far, the player has spent her entire career with the Aces and has a strong connection with the city, fans, and the front office.