A Vancouver group wants to bring a WNBA team to the city — and it's willing to spend big to make it happen.
Led by retired executive Bill Bakk, the investment committee revealed the bid on September 14th after spending over a year quietly building the proposal. Their goal: raise roughly $500 million CAD, about $350 million USD, to fund a WNBA stake that would cover the expansion fee and a dedicated practice facility.
Details Emerge Behind Vancouver's Planned WNBA Expansion Team
If the bid lands, games would likely tip off at Rogers Arena. The 19,700-seat venue, home of the NHL's Canucks, has already hosted WNBA games over the past two seasons and pulled solid attendance numbers.
Pacific Coliseum, where the PWHL's Goldeneyes play, is a backup option. The group is also exploring government-owned land near the Coliseum for a mixed-use training complex.
Still, timing remains the biggest hurdle to Vancouver's WNBA expansion plans.
Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are all joining the league by 2030, but the WNBA has not announced new cities beyond that. Bakk's group is targeting 2031, though they're flexible and open to an existing franchise relocating north.
"We want to be ready," Bakk said. "You never know in the world of sports as to when franchises move."
