WNBA alum and entrepreneur Fran Harris announces Austin’s bid for 16th franchise

The GIST: It seems every U.S. city wants in on the WNBA’s 16th franchise. As of yesterday, there’s one more contender: An Austin, Texas, bid led by former Houston Comets player and Shark Tank alumna Fran Harris. Giddy up.

The cities: While Harris has been working on Austin’s bid for at least a year, it’s only the latest city to throw its hat into the ring. Last month, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed there are around 12 cities in the running, but now there’s an estimated 15 including Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, and Miami, not to mention another possible Texas bid.

The bid: Harris has deep Texas ties as a Dallas native and a basketball player, including helping the University of Texas (UT) win a championship in 1986. But she’s also built a business empire as CEO of sports drink Electra and owner of Dallas-based sports multiplex The Athletic Club. According to Harris, she’s spent the past year raising capital and bolstering Austin’s submission.

• Texas once hosted the Houston Comets and is home to the nearby Dallas Wings, but Austin boasts winning upside. Though it only has one pro sports team (MLS’ Austin FC), it’s been tapped for its location, facilities, potential for corporate sponsorship, and fervent UT fanbase, which was a factor in its selection as one of LOVB’s six volleyball franchises.

The growth: Harris says when she began chatting with the W in 2023, there were only about five other cities interested, compared to over a dozen now. This increased demand is expected to drive up the price for expansion fees — Portland paid $125M for the 15th franchise, and the winning bid for No. 16 may pay anywhere between $150M to $200M. Sheesh.

Zooming out: As far as we know, the 16th bid could be anyone’s. And while it makes sense for major NBA spots like Philly to want to bolster its fanbase, mid-sized cities often land women’s sports franchises, such as Louisville or Portland, which just announced 7.5K season ticket deposits ahead of its 2026 tipoff.