Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is setting his sights beyond the NBA, aiming to bring a WNBA team to his hometown, St. Louis.
Tatum’s determination will be put to the test, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany Mahomes are also contenders to secure the 16th WNBA franchise.
This rivalry for the expansion team brings two of Missouri’s sports icons into a high-stakes bidding war that could reshape the region’s sports landscape.
With commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirming WNBA expansion plans, the race for the 16th franchise is already heating up.
Mahomes, who holds ownership stakes in the Kansas City Royals, Sporting KC, and NWSL’s Kansas City Current, seeks to continue expanding his influence in sports with a Kansas City-based WNBA team.
However, Tatum has also assembled a powerful team of investors, partnering with billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. According to Sportico’s Jacob Feldman, Tatum has “informally agreed to invest in the team should it come to fruition.”
Tatum’s St. Louis Bid Faces Strong Mahomes Challenge
Aiming to leave a legacy in St. Louis, Tatum‘s group seeks to outbid Mahomes‘ Kansas City camp to bring the WNBA to the Gateway City.
Backed by the newly implemented Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows NBA players to own up to 4% of WNBA franchises, Tatum‘s bid is competitive, though the final price for the franchise could exceed $200 million, Feldman noted.
If successful, Tatum would join the ranks of athlete-investors furthering women’s sports in the U.S.
“St. Louis is a top-tier sports market, and we believe that bringing a WNBA franchise to the region will be a defining moment in the city’s ongoing revitalisation,” said spokesperson Don Soffer.
The WNBA expansion is underway, with the Golden State Valkyries set to debut in 2025, followed by franchises in Toronto and Portland in 2026.
Though there was speculation about Damian Lillard taking part in the Portland team’s ownership, the NBA guard dismissed those rumours, leaving the path open for new investors.
The competition between Tatum and Mahomes also has personal undertones. Last year, Mahomes and Brittany cheered for the Dallas Mavericks during the playoffs, only to see them fall to Tatum’s Celtics, who went on to the Finals.
While Mahomes missed the Celtics’ finals run, Tatum‘s victory likely didn’t sit well with the Chiefs star. Now, Mahomes has the chance to “hand him the L” in the bidding battle, adding a new twist to their sports rivalry.
Tatum‘s own earnings, bolstered by endorsement deals and a $315 million Celtics contract, are set to increase with the NBA’s upcoming TV deal, ensuring he is well-prepared financially for this contest.
With both Tatum and Mahomes bringing considerable resources and strong investor backing, the WNBA expansion decision may go down to the wire.
As each side competes to make history, Missouri sports fans are eagerly watching, knowing that whichever city wins will celebrate an exciting new chapter in women’s professional basketball.
