Will Smith Expands Portfolio And Reportedly Joins Ownership Group Of Planned WNBA Team In His Hometown Of Philadelphia

Will Smith is reportedly expanding his portfolio, joining the ownership group of a planned WNBA expansion team in his hometown of Philadelphia.

The Oscar Award-winning actor has secured a 0.1% stake in the franchise, which plans to host games at Xfinity Mobile Arena beginning in 2030, Rolling Out reports. The team will operate under Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, with Josh Harris — managing partner and co-founder at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — serving as governor.

Additional investors include David Blitzer, Comcast, and other institutional partners, notes the outlet.

“Philadelphia is one of the most storied basketball cities in the world, and our region is home to some of the greatest women’s players and coaches to ever grace the hardwood,” Harris said in a news release. “It’s only right that this city finally gets the WNBA franchise it deserves, and we’re humbled to help usher in a new era of Philadelphia basketball.”

 

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Philadelphia’s upcoming WNBA team will mark the city’s first new major professional franchise since 2008, the news release notes. Smith’s involvement signals a broader momentum behind women’s sports, as increased investment, media attention, commercial value, and cultural support continue to elevate the game.

WNBA Expansion Plan Targets 18 Teams By 2030

As of the 2026 season, the WNBA has 15 teams, according to its website. The league plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia rounding out the expansion, per a separate press release.

Cleveland WNBA Team Set For 2028 Debut

The WNBA announced in a press release that Cleveland would be the home of its 16th franchise in June 2025, pending league approval. Launching in 2028, the team will play at Rocket Arena.

Dan Gilbert, chairman of Rock Entertainment Group, leads the expansion team. The ownership group includes Monarch Collective, an investment platform focused on women’s sports, as well as several business and community leaders with Northeast Ohio connections, per the release.

“We are grateful to our partners for joining us and embracing our vision for what this team can mean to Cleveland and to the league,” Gilbert said in a statement. “We believe in the present and future of women’s sports, and the ownership group we have assembled will help propel this franchise forward and support its mission to become a force for good in our community and across the sport.”

Detroit Eyes WNBA Return With High-Profile Investors

As AFROTECH previously reported, former NBA players Grant Hill and Chris Webber are part of the group working to bring a WNBA franchise back to Detroit. Eminem has also joined the investment group, led by Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons. The team will begin play in 2029 at Little Caesars Arena, home to the Pistons and Red Wings.

Detroit previously hosted a WNBA franchise, the Detroit Shock, from 1998 to 2009, AFROTECH noted. The team won three championships before relocating to Tulsa, OK, and later to Arlington, TX, where it has played as the Dallas Wings since 2015.

Gores described the effort to bring the league back to Detroit as an “exciting opportunity,” noting its potential to drive economic activity and community engagement.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also voiced support for the WNBA’s return.

“Michiganders are fired up,” Whitmer said, per AFROTECH. “Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, our commitment to our communities remains unwavering, and our vision for women’s sports is crystal clear. My administration stands ready to support this franchise’s success.”

WNBA Expansion Signals A New Era For Women’s Basketball

With final approval from the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors, the expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia were greenlit on Thursday, April 9, 2026 — signaling a new era for women’s sports, according to a press release.

The post Will Smith Expands Portfolio And Reportedly Joins Ownership Group Of Planned WNBA Team In His Hometown Of Philadelphia appeared first on AfroTech.

The post Will Smith Expands Portfolio And Reportedly Joins Ownership Group Of Planned WNBA Team In His Hometown Of Philadelphia appeared first on AfroTech.