Dawn Staley recently addressed rumors linking her to a potential Philadelphia WNBA expansion franchise.

The South Carolina head coach noted that a future team requires major financial investment and elite leadership, like the Golden State Valkyries.

"Study the Valkyries and see what they're doing. I just heard that valuation was a billion dollars. You've got to spend money to make money, though. So Philly's got to spend some money," Staley said, per Geoff Magliocchetti of Sports Illustrated on X.

Staley believes Philadelphia needs to follow that same aggressive approach while also building the right leadership team around the franchise.

"Got to get a good president, GM, coach. They've got to get somebody attractive that's close to Philly," Staley added.

In the same breath, Staley hinted at her own local ties without actively campaigning for the job.

"I'm not pressing myself. I'm not bumping myself. I'm a feeler. I've got to feel it. Philly's been great. My brother still lives there. [But] this is not a call for them to call me. It's not. Just want y'all know that y'all are asking the questions," she added, per the same post shared by Geoff Magliocchetti.

The Golden State Valkyries have experienced a historic rise in valuation since their inception in 2025. Before playing a single game, the team was valued at $500 million.

By their second season, the team's valuation surged to approximately $850 million, with some estimates reaching $1 billion.

The team, owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, owners of the Golden State Warriors, generated a WNBA-record $78 million in revenue during its first season and sold over 10,000 season tickets.

Staley wants something similar for Philadelphia. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and she's long been one of the city's most visible sports fans.

Because of those roots, Staley was thrilled when WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that Philadelphia had been awarded the league's 18th franchise.

Backed by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast Spectacor, the team is set to begin play in 2030 out of a new South Philadelphia arena.

"PHILLY PHILLY yall ready for the @philawnba?!! The countdown clock has started!!!" Staley wrote on X after the announcement.

Despite that, Staley told WNBA star Candace Parker on the Post Moves podcast that coaching at the professional level is not part of her future plans at that time.

Staley’s real ambition was ownership

While coaching in the WNBA is off the table, Staley has expressed that her greater ambition leans towards ownership.

Staley clarified that across multiple platforms since the expansion announcement.  

Speaking with Kylie Kelce on the Not Gonna Lie podcast, Staley was asked about coaching the Philly team and gave a simple explanation:

"No. You know why? Because I would rather be an owner. I think there's much more to ownership. If I am an owner, I think I can touch more people."

Staley has repeatedly told outlets that she wants a seat at the executive table rather than on the bench.

"I want ownership. I want to own. I don't want to be a coach. Coach is just a part of the process. I want to be in the room helping to make decisions on how you put a product on the floor, how you get into the community, how you get people in the stands. That's the sweat equity that I want. But I want that as an owner," Staley said on Post Moves.

For Staley, ownership offers a bigger platform to shape organizational culture, build community programs, and create long-term impact that goes far beyond wins and losses.

Follow Her Sports Nation for more.

Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Rudra Dubey