The WNBA’s recently completed 2024 season was a massive success, and the offseason is off to a roaring start. Two star athletes are reportedly getting involved in expansion bids that would bring professional women’s basketball to Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany are working to bring a WNBA expansion team to Kansas City, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mahomes and his wife are part of the ownership group for the KC Current, the women’s pro soccer team, which has reportedly met with the WNBA about Kansas City being in contention for a future expansion team.
The Mahomeses are familiar with sports team ownership at this point. In addition to owning part of the Current, they’re also part-owners of the men’s pro soccer team Sporting KC, as well as the Kansas City Royals.
Boston Celtics megastar Jayson Tatum is also interested in financially supporting a WNBA expansion team. According to Sportico, Tatum has “informally” agreed to back a bid to bring a team to his native St. Louis. Led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman, the bid doesn’t yet have any “formal structure,” but Tatum wants to do more than just write a check. Via Sportico:
“Tatum has informally agreed to invest in the team should it come to fruition and contribute behind the scenes to the group’s pitch, both to other potential big-name investors and the league itself, according to sources involved with the bid.”
At least six cities are vying to be the home of the WNBA’s 16th franchise. St. Louis and Kansas City are expected to be in contention along with Philadelphia, Miami, Milwaukee and Denver.
