Dawn Staley Wants Ownership Stake in Philly’s Future WNBA Team, Plus Other Philly Legends Enter Hall of Fame

Dawn Staley’s Big Announcement: "I Want to Own, Not Just Coach"

KEY POINT: Dawn Staley — one of the greatest figures in women’s basketball — has made it crystal clear: if Philadelphia’s new WNBA team wants her involved, she wants an ownership stake, not just a coaching job.

The North Philly native dropped this bombshell right before her induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the legendary 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic team. (Fun fact: She was already inducted as a player back in 2013!)

What Staley Said, In Simple Terms

• "I don’t want to just coach. I want to own… and I do know my worth."
• She brings two things to the table: basketball expertise AND business smarts
• No one from the WNBA has contacted her yet about the Philly team (coming in 2030)
• She’s not asking for a job — but she’s not saying no either
• The team will be owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (same folks who own the Sixers)

Staley’s Blueprint for Philly’s Success

Staley even shared her playbook for how the new team should hit the ground running:

1. Study the Golden State Valkyries — the newest WNBA expansion team (valued at over $1 billion!)
2. Hire the right leadership trio:
   • Team President
   • General Manager
   • Head Coach
3. Pick people who connect with Philly fans and understand the city

IMPORTANT: Staley emphasized this isn’t a pitch for herself — she’s just sharing what she thinks works.

Staley’s Philly Roots Run Deep

Even though she’s coached at South Carolina for 18 years (winning 3 NCAA championships), Staley says North Philly shaped everything:

"When you grow up in North Philly, you really think you can accomplish anything. Like, you’re unafraid, you’re fearless, you just have to figure out how you do it the cleanest way."

Her coaching journey:

• 8 years at Temple University (right here in Philly)
• 18 years at South Carolina (3 national titles, powerhouse program)
• 26 years total as a head coach
• Still applies those North Philly lessons every single day

Doc Rivers Joins the Hall of Fame Party

Staley wasn’t the only Philly connection getting honored. Longtime NBA coach Doc Rivers was also inducted for his coaching career — including his 3-year stint with the Sixers (2020-2023).

Rivers’ Sixers Report Card

Rivers on His Philly Experience: "Complicated"

Rivers admits some Sixers fans might not look back fondly, but he does:

• The tough part: Wanted different people around him, but "I wasn’t the president of the team"
• The Daryl Morey factor: Calls their relationship "very difficult" — and thinks that’s why he eventually left
• No regrets: "I knew what worked. And I didn’t give up on that… I’m fine with that now."

Rivers Loves What the New Sixers Brain Trust Is Doing

Since Rivers left, Mike Gansey (President of Basketball Ops) and Bob Myers (HBSE President) took over. Rivers is super impressed:

• Jaylen Brown trade: "Amazing"
• LeBron James signing: Huge splash
• But here’s what REALLY impresses Rivers: The role player signings — Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

"Every GM can go get stars. But can you BUILD around them? That’s what Myers and Gansey have done… they’re doing a hell of a job." — Doc Rivers

Rivers on Tyrese Maxey: "The Best Player I’ve Coached in 26 Years"

Rivers didn’t hold back on the young Sixers star:

• "As good of a player [I’ve] coached in 26 years"
• The "sunshine" test: "There’s certain people… they bring sunshine when they walk in the building… Maxey walks in a locker room, and the sun comes out. And that is invaluable."

The Rest of the Philly-Area Hall of Fame Class

The 2026 class is stacked with local legends:

Joey Crawford (Philadelphia native)

• 39 seasons as an NBA referee
• 2,561 regular-season games (2nd most ever!)
• 374 playoff games (ALL-TIME RECORD)
• 50 NBA Finals games (also a record)

Elena Delle Donne (Wilmington, DE native — basically Philly!)

• WNBA Champion | 2x MVP | Olympic Gold Medalist
• 7x All-Star | 2013 Rookie of the Year (drafted #2 by Chicago Sky)
• College legend at University of Delaware (set nearly every record)

Other 2026 Inductees:

• Mark Few — Gonzaga coaching legend
• Amar’e Stoudemire — 6x NBA All-Star
• Chamique Holdsclaw — 6x WNBA All-Star
• Candace Parker — 3x WNBA Champ, 7x All-Star, 2x MVP
• Mike D’Antoni — Innovative NBA coach & former player

Quick Summary: What You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Philadelphia getting a WNBA team?

2030. The expansion franchise was awarded to Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (owners of the Sixers and Devils).

Has Dawn Staley been offered a job with the new team?

No. She said nobody from the WNBA or the ownership group has approached her yet. She’s just making her intentions known early.

Why does Staley want ownership instead of just coaching?

She believes her value goes beyond X’s and O’s — she brings business acumen and wants a seat at the table where real decisions get made. As she put it: "I do know my worth."

What’s the Golden State Valkyries model Staley mentioned?

The Valkyries are the WNBA’s newest expansion team (starting play in 2025). They’re already valued at over $1 billion — the first women’s sports franchise to hit that mark. Staley thinks Philly should study how they built their organization from scratch.

Is Doc Rivers coming back to the Sixers?

No indication of that. Rivers was reflecting on his time there and praising the current front office (Gansey and Myers). He seems happily retired from coaching — at least for now.

FINAL THOUGHT: Whether it’s Staley demanding ownership, Rivers praising Maxey’s "sunshine," or Crawford’s whistle echoing through 50 NBA Finals — Philly basketball royalty showed up big time at this year’s Hall of Fame. The city’s fingerprint is all over the game’s past… and if Staley gets her way, its future too.