CHARLOTTE — You’ve got to give it to Grant Williams: when the man has a mission, he goes all-in, and apparently, his latest goal is to bring a WNBA expansion team to Charlotte. The Hornets forward has been campaigning for this for nearly three years, and he’s not afraid to admit it—though it seems like he’s still waiting for WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to return his calls.
“I’ve been trying to bring a team to Charlotte for the past 2.5, 3 years, but that’s up to Cathy and them,” Williams said, during shootaround last week. Translation: he’s done all he can, but now it’s in the hands of the WNBA’s third-party consulting firm that’s probably doing more spreadsheets than slam dunks.
But don’t worry, folks—Williams is far from the only athlete dreaming of WNBA glory in their backyard. His old Celtics buddy, Jayson Tatum, has hinted at wanting a team in his hometown of St. Louis, and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is sniffing around for a Kansas City franchise like it’s a Super Bowl ring. It’s like every NBA player now has a side hustle: bringing women’s basketball to a city near you.
WNBA Expansion: It’s a Bidding War, Folks!
It turns out the WNBA isn’t just content with its current 12 teams. By 2027, they’re looking to go big with 16 teams. With Golden State ready to roll out the red carpet for the Valkyries in 2025, and Toronto and Portland signing their paperwork for 2026, the race is officially on for the coveted 16th spot. And, oh boy, does everyone want in. Cities like Miami, Milwaukee, Denver, St. Louis, and Philly have all thrown their hats into the ring. So, Charlotte’s got some serious competition, but hey, who doesn’t love a good underdog story?
Williams, for his part, isn’t dishing out too many specifics about his involvement with the Charlotte bid. Maybe he’s worried about jinxing it. Or maybe, like a solid game of poker, he’s just playing his cards close to the vest. Either way, he’s confident in the process: “Before, no one was super motivated, and then all of a sudden, there’s been this wave,” he said. Ah yes, nothing like the FOMO of a WNBA team to get everyone excited.
“It’s Not Just a Business Deal… Unless You’re Doing It Wrong”
Williams isn’t just talking about getting a WNBA team for the sake of saying, “Hey, look, we got one!” No, he wants new ownership groups to actually care. Like, not just financially invest, but genuinely give a damn about women’s basketball. A groundbreaking concept, right? Apparently, some teams have struggled with this minor detail. He cites the Sun and the Sky, who, until recently, didn’t even have their own practice facilities. (And you thought sharing a bathroom was rough.)
“It can’t just be fleeting,” Williams said, throwing some not-so-subtle shade at owners who treat the WNBA like it’s a trendy new restaurant. “It’s something that you [have to] actually care about.” Memo to billionaires: buying a WNBA team shouldn’t be like buying a yacht—don’t just show up for the photo op and disappear.
Charlotte: The Next Big Thing?
Look, Charlotte has been hungry for a WNBA team for years. Williams is just the latest in a long line of people who think it’s the perfect spot for expansion. And let’s be real: Charlotte could use a win right now. The Hornets are… well, they exist, and Panthers fans are still recovering from their team’s latest season. A WNBA team could inject some much-needed energy into the city’s sports scene.
But Williams isn’t here for any half-baked efforts. He wants a serious commitment—no rookie mistakes allowed. “You don’t want people that just come in and don’t really engage in the team,” he said, likely eyeing prospective owners with the same intensity he reserves for guarding LeBron. He’s right, though. If Charlotte does get the green light, the new team better be prepared to give the players what they need, from first-rate facilities to actual marketing.
“The Time Is Now” (No, Really)
Williams, who’s been rubbing elbows with NBA execs as the First VP of the NBA Players Union, knows a thing or two about the business side of the sport. And he’s not shy about pointing out where the WNBA could step it up. “The organization of the WNBA has to get better,” he said. Well, if anyone can help light a fire under the league, it’s the guy who’s been in boardrooms with NBA bigwigs.
He’s hopeful that this round of expansion will be the tipping point that catapults the WNBA into the next tier of success, but only if they play their cards right. As for Charlotte? Well, Williams is still holding out hope.
“Now, this is the time to capitalize on the opportunity that’s ahead,” Williams said, sounding like he was ready to hit the court and dunk this expansion into reality.
So, will we see a WNBA team in Charlotte soon? Stay tuned. If Williams has anything to say about it, the answer might just be a yes. Just don’t ask him to confirm—he’s not allowed to talk about it.