Golden State Valkyries' Kaitlyn Chen (2) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever's Natasha Howard (6) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
At long last, Philadelphia is getting a WNBA team. The team will need a name, so we asked our newsletter readers to give us their ideas on a name for Philly’s new women’s basketball franchise.
t was announced last week that Philadelphia is finally getting a WNBA team.
“This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league’s extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women’s professional basketball,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert, a Philly area native and a graduate of Lehigh University.
The team isn’t expected to start playing until 2030, so there’s time yet to come up with a name. But why wait. We asked our newsletter (subscribe here) readers: What should be the name of Philadelphia’s new WNBA team?
Here are some of their suggestions:
“The Philadelphia Philly’s.”
-Gary Miller, State College
“The Philadelphia Keys.”
-Pearl Goldstein, Bala Cynwyd
“Definitely the Liberty Belles. That was the first name that popped into my mind.”
-Teddi Silver, Landenberg
“Dawn Staley’s team name suggestion sounds fun to me: The Broads. She and Kiley Kelsey said earlier they were interested in an ownership stake, before the Sixers owner got his money in there. It would have been wonderful to have women in WNBA ownership.”
-Sandy, Montgomery County
“Renegades.”
-Laraine Mocenigo, Philadelphia
“The Pennsylvania Miners.”
-Donna Donegan, Shohola
“How about the Philadelphia Love or Philadelphia Liberty, or, better yet, the Philadelphia Freedom? There’s already a song!”
-Scott Cseh, Walnutport
“Definitely the Liberty Belles.”
-Gail Christman, Lehighton
“The Philadelphia Fillies.”
-Keith, Allentown
“I love the Liberty Belles!”
-Sue, Downingtown
“The PHLights.”
-Larry K., Souderton
“I’ve got a few ideas: The Fillies; The Soft Pretzels; The Broads.”
-Nancy, Philadelphia
“The Philadelphia Liberty Belles, for sure!”
-Stephanie, Eagleville
“I like Philadelphia Freedom. They could use Elton John’s song, “Philadelphia Freedom,” as their entering the arena song, etc. Otherwise, the Philadelphia Liberty Belles would be a good choice.”
-Donna D., Mechanicsburg
“Philadelphia Pearls, after Philly icon Pearl Bailey.”
-Greg, Montgomery County
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