Why the WNBA is returning to KC after two decades

Catch up quick: The WNBA in June announced Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia would get its three newest expansion teams, despite a local bid backed by the KC Current's ownership group.

The intrigue: There's recent precedent for a WNBA preseason game leading to expansion. Toronto hosted a sellout matchup in 2023, and the league awarded the city an expansion team a year later, Visit KC communications manager Makenzie Wolters tells Axios.

What they're saying: Organizers picked KC in part because of the city's WNBA bid, Linda Hargrove, president of game host ProHoops Sports & Events, tells Axios.

• "We knew that KC was actively trying to get a WNBA team locally and thought this game could tap into that interest," Hargrove says.
• "We certainly hope this preseason game helps us show that Kansas City wants and deserves its own WNBA team," Wolters tells Axios.

Fun fact: ProHoops typically takes WNBA stars back to their college towns, including A'ja Wilson to South Carolina, Angel Reese to LSU and Caitlin Clark to Iowa.

• Hargrove said Monday is ProHoops' first game at a true neutral site.

What's next: The Lynx vs. Nigeria starts at 7pm Monday at the T-Mobile Center. Tickets are still on sale.

Go deeper: Kansas City snubbed in WNBA expansion