Report: 76ers to put in official bid for WNBA team

Now that their new arena is secured, Sixers’ ownership has taken the first step towards bringing the WNBA to Philadelphia

Well, it’s about time.

It’s hardly been a secret that Philadelphia, or at least Sixers’ ownership, has been waiting until their new arena to put forth a bid for a WNBA team.

Now that that’s settled, with the team officially staying in South Philadelphia, it appears the team is starting to set those wheels in motion.

The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov reported that Sixers’ ownership has officially placed a bid to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia.

Vorkunov’s article cites cities such as Houston, Cleveland and Detroit are also listed as likely bidders, all backed by their NBA ownerships. Charlotte, Austin, Denver and Nashville were also reported to have interest.

When the news broke that the Sixers had reached a deal with Comcast to build the new arena in the current sports complex, Crossing Broad’s Kevin Kinkead reported that part of the deal was the two groups coming together with the city to join for a bid.

That seems to still be the case. The Athletic’s report stated that the Sixers will be the principal investors, with plans for other partners if they are successful. Comedian Wanda Sykes was mentioned as someone with interest to bring a team to Philadelphia.

Sykes was a part of the mayor’s press conference when this new arena deal was announced. Not only did she seem optimistic about the city’s chances to land a team in the W, but she also snuck in a shot at one of Josh Harris’ other teams, the Washington Commanders.