The Philadelphia 76ers have the Delaware 87ers as their D-League team, to complete the trinity they need a sister WNBA franchise in the city.
The WNBA is still young compared to most major league sports, and especially to its big brother league, the NBA. It is currently small — it only has 12 teams currently making up the WNBA. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City already have an NBA, D-League and WNBA franchises all apart of the city.
Philadelphia has a rich and great history of basketball weaved into this fibers of the city. Doesn’t it make sense for city to make a sister franchise for the Philadelphia 76ers?
As recently as last year, it was reported that the WNBA president would like the league to expand. This only makes sense as the league is becoming more and more popular. It has super stars that fans can identify with such as Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne. Some may argue that expansion might dilute the talent pool, but it might allow some players buried on the the bench to get legit playing time.
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Philadelphia would be a great city to start a WNBA franchise for several reasons. It has great basketball traditions with the Sixers and more recently the Sevens; they are technically in Newark, DE, but still are close enough to be considered part of the greater Philadelphia area, in my opinion.
Financially Philadelphia has more than enough money, and the large fan base to support a WNBA franchise. The Philadelphia 76ers are in the beginning of a rebuild right now and bringing in a new WNBA team would allow the two franchises to grow together. It would not put that much pressure on the new team if the Sixers are rebuilding as well. Having a WNBA team might allow the Sixers to reach more women fans as well.
If Philly receives a women’s team, then what could they be named? Whatever the name, it should stay historically relevant to the city, like the 76ers and 87ers before them. It can be seen with other WNBA teams such as the Washington Wizards and Mystics. Having a name connected to their brother franchise can help the brand.
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One possible name would be the “Philadelphia 63’s“. The 63’s would be relevant, because it was the year that the Sixers franchise came to Philly. Another one could be “Philadelphia 19ers” in honor of when congress passed the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote. Obviously there are other options and that would be part of the excitement of bring a WNBA team to Philly.
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Philadelphia sports fans can only hope and wait for a WNBA to come to town. There are plenty of quality reasons why Philly should be considered for a franchise. It would benefit both the WNBA and the Sixers to locate a time in the City of Brotherly Love. A little sister is just what the Sixers may need.