The Sparks Vs Sun meeting at TD Garden on Tuesday offered another reminder of how strong the appetite for women’s basketball has become in Boston. But while the sell-out crowd underlined the demand, the city is still not part of the WNBA’s current expansion plans.
This was the Connecticut Sun’s second straight showcase at TD Garden in a stretch that has helped fuel optimism around a future Boston team. The venue hosted its first WNBA game in 2024, and the event on Tuesday at 7 p.m. again showed how much local interest there is when the league comes to town.
Why Boston keeps pushing for a team
Jennifer Rizzotti has been clear that the case for New England is about more than one city. She said the region should be seen as part of a wider sports identity, pointing to the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics as examples of teams celebrated throughout New England, not just in one place.
She also said: “We want to continue this proud tradition of champions throughout the New England states.” That view fits the atmosphere around TD Garden, where recent sold-out WNBA games have created hope that Boston could eventually secure a team of its own.
The league's current path does not include Boston
For now, though, the timeline is not encouraging for anyone hoping for a quick answer. Cathy Engelbert said in June that New England is a great market for sports and that she does foresee the region being part of expansion in the 2030s if the league expands again.
That is the key point. The WNBA has already expanded to Toronto and Portland this season, and by 2030 the league will have grown by three more teams, with Cleveland set to return in 2028, Detroit due to begin play in 2029 and Philadelphia joining in 2030.
Boston, however, is not among the current expansion markets. That means the next realistic opportunity may not come until the 2030s or later.
What the latest showcase means
Bill Chisholm added more momentum to the argument in September when he said Boston should have a team. He called the city the best sports city in the country and the birthplace of basketball, while also acknowledging that there is a process to follow.
His view matched the mood around the arena. The WNBA said it is appreciative of the passionate fans across New England who have supported the Connecticut Sun, the league and women’s basketball for decades, and added that the response in recent years at TD Garden reflects the meaningful connection the community has built with the Sun and the WNBA.
That is why Tuesday’s game mattered beyond the result on the floor. It was another sign of demand, another argument in favor of a future team, and another reminder that Boston’s hopes remain alive even if the wait continues.
