The WNBA franchises are already shaping up for a competitive season ahead, with the Atlanta Dream making a blockbuster trade for Angel Reese. Following the trade, the Atlanta Dream executive praised Reese’s Fit With the culture. The expansion teams also made huge splashes in the expansion draft, and interestingly, the upcoming Cleveland and Philadelphia teams are also gearing up for the challenge.
Along with the WNBA’s growth, many investors are showing interest in the league teams, and the franchises are also investing heavily in facilities following the new CBA. Amid this, the Philadelphia side receives a major boost.
Will Smith Joins WNBA’s Philadelphia Expansion Team
The Cleveland franchise announced new minority owners led by Monarch Collective. IT would be Monarch Investment’s first WNBA investment, hinting at the flow of investors into the league.
According to the report, the Philadelphia franchise, which entered the league in 2030, has also added another investor after Hollywood actor Will Smith joined the ownership group. The Oscar-winning actor is listed among investors in the ownership group, which includes Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Will Smith is an investor in Philadelphia’s WNBA Expansion team, per @kbadenhausen.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 6, 2026
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Philadelphia’s WNBA franchise also expects to play at Xfinity Mobile Arena, while ownership commits at least $50 million toward a dedicated practice facility. Recently, the Unrivaled league found much success at the Xfinity Arena, setting a record for attendance at the games. Comcast also plans to acquire a minority stake as part of a broader arena partnership.
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For the upcoming season, though, the league is looking to wrap up free agency signings and the WNBA draft.
WNBA Getting Ready For Massive Free Agency and Draft Selections
The league is ready for the massive player movements in the free agency, with around 123 players registered in the free agency as restricted or unrestricted free agents. Moreover, there are 60+ eligible college candidates for the 45 slots in the WNBA draft.
While a recent WNBA mock draft showcases every possible addition for the franchises, free agency could be much more predictable, with top players announcing their decisions well before the actual date.
The 2026 WNBA offseason is highly condensed, with free agency beginning April 6 and the draft occurring on April 13, 2026. Key dates include the designation period on April 6 and 7, and the negotiations phase from April 8 to April 10. The official signings will start on April 11.