The franchise named after Pat Summitt is not part of the most recent WNBA expansion.

Pat Summit (June 14, 1952 – June 28, 2016) was a legendary U.S. college basketball coach, most notably the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers for 38 seasons (1974–2012).

With 1,098 career wins and 8 NCAA championships, she retired as the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history and was a trailblazer for women’s sports nationallyBeyond championships, she raised the profile of women’s basketball, mentoring stars like Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker, and advocating for Title IX and gender equity.

Her legacy is not only statistical—it’s symbolic, representing grit, leadership, and a cultural shift in sports.

In January 2025, a well-heeled ownership group unveiled plans for a WNBA expansion team to begin play in 2028:

• The team would play at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with a dedicated practice facility and outreach hub for youth basketball
• The ownership consortium included:
  • Bill Haslam (former Tennessee governor, Predators owner),
  • Candace Parker (Lady Vol alumna, WNBA star),
  • Peyton Manning (NFL Hall of Fame QB, Tennessee alum),
  • Country music superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Reddit, SBNation.com).
• The name chosen, Tennessee Summitt, directly honored Coach Summitt’s profound impact on women’s basketball (SBNation.com).
• Support came from Coach Geno Auriemma (UConn) and Senators Blackburn and Hagerty, highlighting its broad appeal (blackburn.senate.gov).

2.2 Vision and Alignment

This team was more than a franchise—it was intended as a cultural beacon:

• Nashville, already a major pro sports city (Predators, Titans, etc.), was primed to add another high-profile team (blackburn.senate.gov).
• The ownership pledged a community-first mentality, planning youth clinics and a facility open to aspiring players (Knox TN Today).
• The color palette—“Summitt Blue” blended with Nashville colors—combined heritage and identity (NewsChannel 5).

3. The WNBA’s Planned Growth Trajectory

3.1 Expansion Timeline Leading to 2025–26

The WNBA, growing rapidly since its inaugural 1997 season, planned back-to-back additions:

1. 2025 – Golden State Valkyries, new franchise on the West Coast.
2. 2026 – Two more: Toronto Tempo and a team in Portland (SBNation.com).

That brings the league up to 15 teams.

3.2 The Quest for a 16th Team

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the goal to grow to 16 teams by 2028, kickstarting new markets and bolstering league parity (SBNation.com).

Simultaneously, pitches came from several cities eager to host the 16th franchise, including Cleveland, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee, Austin, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, and Milwaukee (

4.1 Selection of 13th–15th Teams

• Golden State Valkyries – 2025
• Toronto Tempo – 2026
• Portland (team name TBD) – 2026

These make the league a 15-team circuit heading into the back half of the decade.

Despite the strong Nashville bid, recent industry reporting—such as VolReport on June 30, 2025—notes that the ‘Tennessee Summitt’ did not make it into this expansion wave. Instead, the next three franchises were allocated to Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland, between 2028 and 2030

So while the Summitt bid was widely praised, it’s not part of this most recent expansion round.

Multiple factors likely played into the decision-making:

• The WNBA may be strategically prioritizing certain U.S. metro areas for market balance; Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland already have professional team infrastructure, media markets, and corporate partnerships—making them “safer investments” for league growth.
• Even though Nashville is thriving and sports-savvy, east coast markets may promise broadcast synergies and sponsor reach beyond Tennessee’s regional influence.
• While Bridgestone Arena is NHL-grade, NBA-level access may be limited due to shared scheduling with the Predators and concert tours.
• The proposed multi-city hosting (Knoxville, Memphis, Clarksville) suggests a lack of a central metropolitan core, potentially complicating scheduling and fan engagement.
• The Tennessee group has star power, but possibly lacked the capital depth or exhibition of long-term readiness compared to other bids led by private equity or NBA-backed consortiums.
• Detroit’s bid, for example, included explicit commitments to practice facilities and public support; Cleveland’s may similarly leverage NBA links.
• It’s possible the WNBA decided to pace its U.S.-based expansion, once closer to 16 teams, and then evaluate new markets like Nashville after stabilizing the existing new franchises.
• The WNBA’s explicit aim is a 16th team by 2028. Given that Tennessee Summitt was already under consideration, a second wave of sites is likely to follow—even if this round excluded them
• Nashville’s high-quality ownership group keeps it in strong standing—especially if other markets falter.
• Typical league planning suggests the WNBA will announce final decisions soon after completing the current 15-team cycle, likely around late 2025 / early-to-mid 2026, to allow prep time for a 2028 launch.
• The Summitt bid, given its strong backing, could be competitive again in the next round—especially as the league sees the success of Golden State, Toronto, and Portland.
• Even if not part of the official expansion rollout, the Summitt bid elevated Tennessee’s visibility in the women’s sports ecosystem.
• It reinforces Nashville as a leading candidate for future expansion beyond just the 16th slot, especially if further expansion (a 17th or 18th team) becomes viable.

Even absent immediate approval, launching a WNBA team named after Pat Summitt would:

• Unite Tennessee’s Volunteers fanbase, hundreds of thousands strong, under a professional banner.
• Send a powerful message about honoring women’s sports history.
• Offer a role model anchor for young female athletes across the Southeast.
• Potentially spark partnerships with Tennessee-based corporations, universities, and nonprofits aligned with gender equity and youth empowerment.
• The WNBA’s growth from 12 to 15 teams (2025–2026), with a projected 16th by 2028, shows robust interest and investor confidence
• Filling out East Coast + Heartland markets (Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia) builds regional parity and TV market spread.
• A Summitt-named team in Tennessee would be one of the few major-league team names honoring a woman, simultaneously recognizing excellence and regional pride.
• Cultural milestones like this help further weave women’s sports into mainstream American sports fabric.
• As expansion continues, the WNBA strengthens player development pipelines, increases game exposure, and boosts TV revenue—moving steadily toward league parity with other pro leagues.
• Each expansion brings more local investment, community programs, and fan bases.

1. The Tennessee Summitt bid is a culturally rich, thoughtfully engineered case: elite ownership, strong fan history, top-tier venue, and youth basketball infrastructure.
2. Despite these merits, the league’s latest expansion wave excluded Tennessee, choosing instead Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland for the 16th franchise .
3. That doesn’t close the door—the Summitt bid remains a favorite for the 2028 team, supported by high-level backing and a recognized coach’s legacy.
4. The WNBA’s current direction underscores an aggressive and sustainable growth model, blending market strategy, brand identity, and cultural resonance.
5. Even without immediate approval, Tennessee Summitt enhances Nashville’s profile and represents a potent vision for women’s sports in America.

Although the Tennessee Summitt—a WNBA team proposal named after Pat Summitt and slated for Nashville—generated substantial enthusiasm and strong ownership credentials, it was not included in the most recent WNBA expansion. That round added three teams, excluding Tennessee, with new clubs awarded to Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland for play beginning in the 2028–2030 window . That said, the Summitt bid remains well-positioned to succeed in the next phase of expansion.

• Expect the WNBA to announce its picks for the 16th franchise in late 2025.
• Nashville’s front-runners will likely re-engage, leveraging additional market data, facility deals, and league performance metrics.
• For fans of Pat Summitt and Tennessee basketball, the dream lives on—as dedication, legacy, and community ambition come together toward a professional franchise.

If you’d like a deeper dive into any of these points—like Nashville’s sports infrastructure, league expansion strategy, or Pat Summitt’s enduring influence—happy to provide further detail!