Everyone talks about which cities deserve a WNBA team, but not everyone agrees. Nancy Lieberman, a basketball legend and strong voice for the game, knows what these cities mean to fans and players.
She sees the value in places like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, even when others doubt them. As the WNBA plans to grow, the debate over expansion cities is heating up, and Lieberman is not afraid to speak her mind. Her passion for the sport and its communities helps explain why expansion matters, not just for the league, but for fans everywhere.
Nancy Lieberman Questions Sophie Cunningham’s Doubts Over WNBA’s Expansion Cities
When WNBA star Sophie Cunningham said players do not want to play in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, or Philadelphia, Lieberman did not stay quiet. She pointed out that these cities have deep basketball roots and are home to some of the sport’s biggest names.
In an interview on July 3, Lieberman called Cunningham’s comments “shortsighted,” and reminded everyone that these cities have produced legends like LeBron James, Grant Hill, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson. By defending these markets, Lieberman shows how important it is to honor the history and passion of basketball fans in every city.
Nancy Lieberman said if Cleveland is good enough for LeBron, it’s good enough for Sophie Cunningham 🗣️
(via @TMZ_Sports) pic.twitter.com/HQd6PmEfoz
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 3, 2025
Lieberman also talked about her pride in Detroit’s basketball culture. She even said she would be interested in coaching the new WNBA team coming to Detroit in 2029. Her words remind fans that these cities are not just markets, but homes for basketball history.
Sophie Cunningham’s View Draws Mixed Reactions From Players and Fans
Cunningham, who is 28 years old, made her comments this week while talking about the WNBA’s expansion plans. She questioned if Cleveland and Detroit could be exciting places for new teams, and suggested cities like Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City might be better choices. She also said the league should be careful about growing too fast. Her opinions sparked a lot of discussion online and among fans, players, and city leaders.
Supporters of Detroit quickly pointed out that the city has already shown it can support women’s basketball. When the city was home to the Detroit Shock, the team ranked in the top five in WNBA attendance for five straight years.
They led the league in attendance for three of those years and set a single-game record by drawing over 22,000 fans to Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals. These numbers are still among the highest in league history and prove that Detroit fans are passionate about the game.
The last time we were home to a WNBA team (Detroit Shock) we ranked top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
Additionally more than… https://t.co/ePZhzQE1f3
— City of Detroit (@CityofDetroit) July 1, 2025
Cleveland fans also stood up for their city. They pointed to praise from stars like Caitlin Clark, who called Cleveland’s basketball atmosphere a “bigger version” of her hometown during the 2024 Final Four. Both cities have proven they can bring in big crowds and keep fans excited about basketball.
The WNBA’s plan is to add five new teams over the next five years. Portland and Toronto will get teams by 2026, Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia by 2030. The league wants to build on regional fan support, strong basketball traditions, and opportunities for growth. These moves are part of a bigger plan to make the WNBA a bigger part of sports in North America.
Lieberman’s response does more than just defend expansion. It shows why the debate over new teams is important for the league’s future. While Cunningham worries about keeping the league strong as it grows, Lieberman and others believe that cities with deep basketball roots deserve a chance to be part of the WNBA’s next chapter.
