expansion Page 1 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
NWSL awards expansion franchise to Columbus
The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus on Tuesday, making the Ohio capital home to the league's 18th member starting in 2028.,The team is owned by the Haslam Sports Group, the Columbus-based Nationwide insurance company and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.,"As the NWSL continues its rap...
UFL expanding to Oklahoma City in 2028
The United Football League announced plans Thursday to launch a new team in Oklahoma City in 2028.,"Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision," league co-owner Mike Repole said in a news release. "This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and ...
Fire take Lynx’s Bridget Carleton No. 1 in WNBA expansion draft
The Portland Fire selected Bridget Carleton first overall in the WNBA's two-team expansion draft on Friday, and the Toronto Tempo followed by making Julie Allemand their first pick.,Carleton comes from the Minnesota Lynx and is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. That means Portland can desig...
Fire receive first pick over Tempo in WNBA expansion draft
The Portland Fire will be on the clock first when the WNBA holds its two-team expansion draft on April 3.,The WNBA held a coin toss Friday between the Fire and Toronto Tempo, the two expansion franchises that will bring the league up to 15 teams in 2026.,The Tempo won the toss and had the option to ...
NBA gets OK to explore Las Vegas, Seattle expansion
The NBA Board of Governors gave the league approval to begin exploring bids for potential expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle on Wednesday.,The bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each franchise, ESPN reported.,"Today's vote reflects our Boa...
Expansion plans in Seattle, Vegas reportedly on NBA docket this month
NBA expansion plans are on the league agenda this month with discussions centering on valuations for franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, according to multiple reports Monday.,The NBA Board of Governors has had open dialogue about returning to Seattle, where the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise calle...
Report: Document details Big Ten's 24-team CFP format plan
The Big Ten didn't get its wish of a 24-team College Football Playoff field starting in 2026, but that isn't deterring the conference from pushing for its goal. ,The Big Ten reportedly shared an internal document detailing how it sees a 24-team CFP playing out with the conference's athletic director...
Adam Silver: NBA expansion verdict due in 2026
A decision on possible NBA expansion is due next year, and Las Vegas and Seattle are at the head of the line should the league open the door to new franchises, commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged on Tuesday.,Silver spoke ahead of the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas.,"It's not a secret we're looking at ...
Pre-Final Four deadline set for future NCAA Tournament expansion
A decision on expansion of the NCAA Tournament in future years from 68 teams to 76 has a pre-Final Four deadline.,NCAA president Charlie Baker said Tuesday at the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum that talks are active and include media rights holders CBS and Warner Brothers Discovery. ,"We are certai...
Report: PWHL eyes rapid expansion to 12 teams
Expansion to Seattle and Vancouver has given the Professional Women's Hockey League eight teams for the 2025-26 season, but don't expect the league to remain at that number for long.,Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that the 3-year-old league is targeting rapid expansion and could have a dozen...
NWSL officially awards 17th franchise to Atlanta
The National Women's Soccer League officially awarded its 17th franchise to Atlanta on Wednesday.,The team will be owned by Arthur Blank and operated by AMB Sports and Entertainment. Blank's sports portfolio also includes the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC of MLS and Atlanta Drive Golf Clu...
Reports: Atlanta lands NWSL's 17th franchise for record fee
The National Women's Soccer League has awarded an expansion team to Atlanta as its 17th franchise for a record fee, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.,The team will be owned by Arthur Blank's AMB Sports and Entertainment, owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC.,Atlanta's N...
Gary Bettman: 'Concern' over Olympic venue, no NHL expansion soon
Following a Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday in New York, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered updates on an array of topics.,The biggest point of emphasis? International growth is taking priority over local growth.,"We're focused on what we can be doing more outside of North America to cont...
Report: NCAA Tournament considering expansion agreement
Madness is not only reserved for March when it comes to college basketball.,Continued reports suggest the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is set to eventually expand, with the latest coming from On3 on Thursday that said the NCAA is considering a 76-team field that could arrive by 2027.,The current...
NWSL shifts to 'rolling' expansion model, no ETA on next team(s)
The National Women's Soccer League is shifting away from a defined start and end date to the process of adding new franchises, opting instead for a "rolling expansion process.",NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said the league is open to adding new teams, and will examine bids from interested parties...
SEC's Greg Sankey: CFP expansion not a done deal
The College Football Playoff could remain at 12 teams if the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten can't come to an agreement, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday.,"That's fine," Sankey said as SEC media days kicked off in Atlanta. "We have a 12-team playoff, five conference champions. That can s...
Expansion Boston Legacy make Annie Karich first signee
Midfielder Annie Karich is the first player signed by Boston Legacy FC, an expansion club set to join the National Women's Soccer League in 2026.,The team announced her signing on Wednesday.,Karich's contract will run through the end of the 2027 season with an option for 2028. She signed as a free a...
Fever's Sophie Cunningham throws shade at expansion cities
Indiana Fever star guard Sophie Cunningham took issue with two of the three expansion cities that will be joining the WNBA.,Cunningham's critical comments during her team's shootaround on Tuesday came one day after commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia would join...
WNBA expands to 18 teams, adds Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
Three WNBA franchises are set to join the league by 2030, with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia confirmed as the new teams on Monday. ,The expansion will push the WNBA to 18 total teams. Cleveland (2028) will be the first franchise to play in the WNBA among the latest additions. Detroit is schedu...
Report: NHL expansion team fees to top $2 billion
The next time the NHL decides to add new teams, the expansion fee is expected to be $2 billion-plus, Sportico reported on Thursday.,While expansion isn't imminent, the league updated team owners at their Wednesday meeting in Los Angeles regarding the expected price of a new club.,Per the report, the...