The WNBA stands at a turning point as the 2024 draft commences tonight. Caitlin Clark shines among a stellar group of players poised to shape the league's future. With women's basketball gaining momentum in both college and pro spheres, WNBA expansion warrants serious consideration.

As it stands, the WNBA has 12 teams, with a 13th team debuting soon. However, as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the Class of 2024 enter the league, does it make sense for the league to speed up the process of league expansion? Per The Athletic, the WNBA is already thinking about this.

“Charlotte, Toronto and Denver are among the front-runners, and stakeholders from Nashville, Philadelphia, Portland and South Florida have expressed interest to the league about adding a team,” said a quote in the latest article about if Caitlin Clark's star power can uplift the WNBA and expand it's fan base.

The article, co-written by Ben Pickman and Mike Vorkunov, also speaks about the impending media rights negotiations for the WNBA, which will certainly affect any conversations about expansion.

“A new media rights deal looms after the 2025 season. Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement are likely coming soon, too, and with it, talks about changes to league travel, roster size and salaries — including how players and the league split revenue. If the league’s economics improve — which Clark could impact by her potentially significant draw for sponsors — players could benefit from that, too, in the form of playoff bonuses and more travel accommodations.”

The WNBA appears to be ready to demand more from their media rights. Per WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in comments obtained by CNBC, the league is looking to double its media rights.

“We hope to at least double our rights fees. Women’s sports rights fees have been undervalued for too long, so we have this enormous opportunity at a time where the media landscape is changing so much. We’re really excited to get out in the marketplace.”

She also addressed the complaints of players about pay disparities and other accommodations provided by the WNBA in the interview, saying, “I do think we’re setting this league up not just for the next three to five years with this next media-rights deal but for the next 30.”

Per Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports in March, the WNBA is jointly negotiating their next media rights deal with the NBA with ESPN/ABC but are prepared to venture out on their own if they believe what they are being offered isn't enough.

“The WNBA believes its media rights are undervalued. If the league doesn’t get what it wants jointly from ABC and ESPN, it’s quite likely to negotiate its own separate deal, say sources close to the negotiations—either with Disney or a competitor. Possible packages and proposals are flying back and forth between the two sides, sources tell Front Office Sports, and the WNBA is open to anything. The goal is to maximize the league’s reach and market value.”

This is welcome news for sports fans, as the WNBA looks poised to demand more for an already amazing product that is set to draw even more fans with the inclusion of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the rest of the 2024 class. The WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Brooklyn, New York, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The draft will be broadcast live on ESPN.