Dawn Staley Eyes WNBA Ownership; Doc Rivers’ Raw 76ers Truth
Dawn Staley Wants to Own Part of Philly’s New WNBA Team — And Other Philly Legends Join Hall of Fame
What’s Happening?
Big news from the basketball world! Philadelphia is getting a brand-new WNBA team in 2030, and one of the city’s biggest basketball stars has a bold request: she doesn’t just want to coach — she wants to be an owner.
Dawn Staley, a North Philly native and three-time NCAA champion coach, made this crystal clear right before she was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for the second time (this time as part of the legendary 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic team).
IMPORTANT POINT
Dawn Staley’s exact words: "I don’t want to just coach. I want to own … and I do know my worth. I do know if I go to a franchise it’s going to be better because of it, not just my basketball expertise, but … business acumen."
Who Is Dawn Staley? (The Short Version)
Think of Dawn Staley as Philadelphia basketball royalty. Here’s her highlight reel:
- Grew up in North Philly — learned to be fearless on those courts
- Player career: 3x Olympic gold medalist, WNBA star, Hall of Famer (Class of 2013)
- Coaching career: 26 years total, 18 at South Carolina
- College championships: 3 NCAA titles with the Gamecocks
- Philly roots: Coached at Temple for 8 years before South Carolina
What Does She Want? (Ownership, Not Just a Job)
Here’s the deal: No one from the WNBA has asked her yet about the Philly expansion team (owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment). But she’s putting it out there anyway.
Her stance:
- Not begging for the job
- Not saying "hire me"
- IS saying: "If you want the best, here’s what the best looks like — ownership stake included"
She knows her value: basketball smarts + business smarts = winning franchise.
Her Plan for Philly’s WNBA Team
Even though she’s not officially pitching herself, Staley already has a blueprint for how Philly should build a winner from day one:
1. Copy the Golden State Valkyries Model
Study the newest WNBA team (Golden State) — they’re already worth $1 billion+ and haven’t even played a game yet!
2. Hire the Right Leadership Team Early
- President — someone who knows business and basketball
- General Manager — builds the roster
- Head Coach — connects with fans, knows Philly
3. Keep It Local
"Get people who are close to Philly" — they’ll understand the fans, the culture, the grit.
Still a Philly Girl at Heart
Even in South Carolina, Staley still coaches like she’s in North Philly.
Staley’s words: "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. I keep those lessons with me because it really has gotten me to this point in my life."
Translation: That North Philly toughness? It’s her secret weapon — everywhere she goes.
Doc Rivers Also Honored
Staley wasn’t the only Philly connection at the Hall of Fame ceremony. Doc Rivers (former 76ers coach, 2020–2023) was inducted for his coaching career.
His Sixers Report Card:
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Regular season + playoff record | 174–97 |
| Win percentage | .642 |
| Playoff appearances | 3 straight |
| Deepest run | Eastern Conference Semifinals (3x) |
Rivers on His Time in Philly:
- Fond memories overall
- Tough relationship with Daryl Morey (team president)
- Not the boss — "I wasn’t the president of the team"
- No regrets — "I knew what worked. And I didn’t give up on that"
Rivers Praises New Sixers Moves
Rivers is impressed by the new front office (Mike Gansey + Bob Myers):
Star Moves:
- Jaylen Brown trade → "Amazing"
- LeBron James signing → Huge splash
But Here’s What Really Impresses Him:
IMPORTANT POINT
"I think every GM in the league can go out and get the stars. But can you build around them? And in my opinion, that’s what Myers and Gansey have done."
— Doc Rivers
The supporting cast they added: Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — role players who win games.
Rivers on Tyrese Maxey (High Praise!):
"As good of a player [I’ve] coached in 26 years… Maxey, he walks in a locker room, and the sun comes out. And that is invaluable to have when it’s a long NBA season."
Translation: Maxey = sunshine in human form.
Other Philly Connections in the Hall of Fame
| Person | Philly Tie | Why They’re In |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Crawford | Born & raised Philly | 39-year NBA ref — 2,561 regular season games (2nd most ever), 374 playoff games (record!), 50 NBA Finals games |
| Elena Delle Donne | Wilmington, DE (right next door) | 2x WNBA MVP, Olympic gold, 7x All-Star, Rookie of Year, Delaware legend |
The Rest of the Class of 2026
Rounding out this star-studded class:
- Mark Few — Gonzaga coaching legend (25+ years, 1 Final Four)
- Amar’e Stoudemire — 6x NBA All-Star, "STAT" himself
- Chamique Holdsclaw — 6x WNBA All-Star, "female Michael Jordan" in college
- Candace Parker — 3x WNBA champ, 7x All-Star, 2x MVP, broadcaster
- Mike D’Antoni — "Seven Seconds or Less" revolutionary coach
Summary
The big takeaway: Philadelphia basketball is having a moment.
- Dawn Staley — Philly’s queen of basketball — wants ownership in the new WNBA team (not just a coaching job)
- She’s got a ready-made plan: copy Golden State, hire local leaders early
- Doc Rivers joins her in the Hall of Fame, praises the new Sixers front office for building depth, not just chasing stars
- Two more Philly-area legends (Crawford, Delle Donne) also immortalized
Bottom line: Philly produces winners. And Dawn Staley? She knows exactly what she’s worth — and she’s not afraid to say it.
FAQ
When does Philly’s WNBA team start playing?
2030 — so there’s time to build it right (and maybe get Dawn Staley on board as an owner!).
Has the WNBA contacted Dawn Staley about the team?
Nope. She said no one has reached out yet. She’s just putting her terms out there publicly.
Why does Dawn Staley want ownership instead of just coaching?
She brings two things: basketball expertise AND business smarts. She believes she makes a franchise more valuable — and owners should share in that value.
What’s the "Golden State Valkyries model" she mentioned?
The Valkyries are the newest WNBA expansion team (Golden State). Even before playing a game, the franchise is valued at over $1 billion. Staley thinks Philly should study how they did it.
Is Doc Rivers still mad about his Sixers firing?
No. He said he’s "fine with that now." He acknowledges the tough relationship with Daryl Morey but looks back fondly overall — and he’s genuinely impressed by the new front office moves.