Sports
WNBA approves expansion into Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
The Cleveland WNBA logo is seen during event celebrating the return of professional women’s basketball to Ohio, Sept. 16, 2025, at Rocket Arena, in Cleveland. The WNBA announced formal approval for expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia on Thursday.
The move certifies those three cities, previously announced, gained authorization to join the league on their own timelines.
Cleveland is set to begin play in 2028, with Detroit following in 2029 and then Philadelphia in 2030, bringing the total number of teams in the league up to 18.
Just 13 teams competed in the league in 2025.
Less than a week ago, the WNBA’s two previously added franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, held their expansion draft.
“Great demand for WNBA franchises,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last June at a news conference announcing the growth. “There was huge demand. Really proud of what my team has done. Looking forward to future conversations as the league continues to grow.”
The latest announcement comes amid a flurry of activity within the league. In addition to the expansion draft, the free agency signing period is set to begin on Saturday, with the collegiate draft occurring on Monday.
The WNBA labor dispute only recently reached a positive conclusion after the league, in partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association, officially announced on March 20 a seven-year collective bargaining agreement.
After being ratified, the deal will run through the 2032 season.
The revenue-sharing pact will increase the average salary to $583,000 this season and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, while providing over $1 billion in salaries and benefits over the contract.
“We love this game enough to push for what it can become, not just for ourselves, but for those who built this league and those who will carry it forward,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Austrian teen Lilli Tagger stuns No. 3 Liudmila Samsonova in Linz
Lilli Tagger celebrates winning her first-round match over Varvara Gracheva of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 5, 2026. Tagger, just 18-years-old, marked her first-ever WTA 1000 event win. Local wild-card competitor Lilli Tagger pulled off a 6-2, 7-6 (11) defeat of No. 3 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in Linz, Austria.
Tagger, who turned 18 in February, converted three of five break-point opportunities while winning 22 of 32 second-return points (69%). She staved off four set points in her final service game of the second set before clinching after a marathon second-set tiebreaker to reach her first clay-court semifinal on the WTA Tour.
Next up for Tagger is fellow Austrian Anastasia Potapova, who blew past Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch for a 6-2, 6-1 victory in 91 minutes, converting seven of her 14 break-point opportunities.
No. 2 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia was also ousted from the tournament in the second round, thrashed by unseeded Czech competitor Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 in 60 minutes.
Croatia’s Donna Vekic also advanced to the quarterfinals via walkover as Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina was forced to withdraw due to illness. She’ll face Pliskova for a semifinal on the side of the bracket which has no seeded players left after Thursday’s two upsets.
–Field Level Media
Sports
New York City FC's Drew Baiera (ACL) to undergo surgery
Mar 22, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Drew Baiera (38) looks on during the second half against the Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images New York City FC defender Drew Baiera will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the team said Thursday.
Baiera played in 21 minutes over three matches for NYCFC and didn’t dent the scoresheet.
Per NYCFC.network, Baiera sustained the injury during his recent stint with the U.S. youth national team.
The 19-year-old will begin rehab immediately after the surgery.
New York City FC visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Michigan adds former Tennessee F J.P. Estrella
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella (13) signals a close shot during the NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026. Tennessee transfer forward J.P. Estrella told multiple media outlets on Thursday that he has committed to national champion Michigan.
Listed at 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Estrella averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 33 games (13 starts) with the Volunteers this past season. Tennessee’s season came to an end in the Elite Eight, courtesy of a 95-62 setback to the Wolverines on March 29.
Michigan went on to capture its second national championship and first since 1989 with a 69-63 victory over UConn on Monday.
Estrella missed all but three games in 2024-25 after having season-ending surgery on his left foot.
He was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 out of Brewster Academy in South Portland, Maine.
–Field Level Media
Austrian teen Lilli Tagger stuns No. 3 Liudmila Samsonova in Linz
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