The city of Philadelphia is officially getting a WNBA expansion franchise in 2030, and local legend Dawn Staley already knows what it will take to bring her home.
Spoiler alert: It is going to cost much more than a standard head coach's salary.
Ahead of her enshrinement with the historic 1996 U.S. women’s national team at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the North Philly native made her intentions crystal clear. If Philadelphia’s ownership group—Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE)—wants her on board, they need to offer her equity.
"I Want to Own": Staley Knows Her Worth
Staley is already a Hall of Fame player (Class of 2013) and a three-time NCAA national championship coach with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Her resume speaks for itself, which is why she is aiming for the front office rather than just the sidelines.
“I don’t want to just coach. I want to own … and I do know my worth,” Staley asserted. “I do know if I go to a franchise it’s going to be better because of it, not just my basketball expertise, but … business acumen.”
While Staley clarified that she hasn't been formally approached by HBSE and isn't actively pitching herself, she already has a strategic blueprint for the 2030 Philly franchise. She advises looking closely at the Golden State Valkyries' expansion model and urges the team to hire a president, general manager, and coach who can immediately connect with the passionate local fanbase.
For Staley, her fearless approach to the business side of basketball comes directly from her upbringing. "When you grow up in North Philly, you really think you can accomplish anything," she said. "You're unafraid, you're fearless."
Doc Rivers Reflects on His Sixers Exit
Staley isn’t the only icon with Philadelphia ties taking center stage at the Class of 2026 enshrinement. Longtime NBA coach Doc Rivers, who coached the 76ers from 2020 to 2023, was also honored for his illustrious coaching career.
Looking back on his exit from Philadelphia, Rivers offered a candid assessment of his challenging tenure and his relationship with Sixers President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey.
- On the friction with management: "I wanted different people around. But I wasn’t the president of the team," Rivers admitted. "I thought our relationship was very difficult, Daryl and I, and that made it rough for me... I knew what worked, and I didn’t give up on that, and that probably, eventually, is the reason I wasn’t there in the end."
- On the current roster: Rivers expressed fascination with the franchise's aggressive roster building under HBSE president Bob Myers and Mike Gansey. He pointed to major splashes like the Jaylen Brown trade and the LeBron James signing, but praised the front office even more for securing crucial role players like Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Despite the past drama, Rivers had nothing but glowing praise for Sixers star Tyrese Maxey, calling him one of the best players he has ever coached. "Maxey, he walks in a locker room, and the sun comes out. And that is invaluable to have when it's a long NBA season," Rivers shared.
A Historic Night for Philadelphia Basketball
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 carries a massive Philadelphia footprint, celebrating some of the most influential figures in the sport's history:
- Joey Crawford: The legendary Philly native was enshrined after a monumental 39-season career as an NBA referee, during which he officiated 2,561 regular-season games and 50 NBA Finals games.
- Elena Delle Donne: The Wilmington, Delaware native, a two-time WNBA MVP, Olympic gold medalist, and national icon, officially joined the hall.
- Other notable inductees: The star-studded class also included legendary Gonzaga coach Mark Few, modern NBA pioneer Mike D’Antoni, six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire, and WNBA greats Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw.
