Udonis Haslem has always been Miami through and through. From his grit on the court to his deep ties to the city, it’s no surprise that his next big dream involves bringing something special back home—a WNBA team. But here’s the twist: if Haslem makes it happen, he could find himself going head-to-head with none other than his longtime friend, Dwyane Wade. With Wade already a part-owner of the $95 million Chicago Sky, could Miami’s beloved enforcer be gearing up to rival The Flash in the ownership game?
However, UD’s dream of owning a WNBA team isn’t just about business—it’s about his love for Miami. The city doesn’t have a team of its own, and he wants to change that. The former Miami Heat star made this clear in a clip shared by The OGs, revealing just how passionate he is about bringing a WNBA franchise to his hometown.
“I’m hoping to be a part of a group that either bring it [WNBA team] back or buy a team that’s just struggling and bring it to Miami… We had the Sol some years ago, so the goal is to have one in Miami. I would love that,” Haslem said.
The idea isn’t far-fetched considering back in May 2022, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that expansion was on the league’s radar, with plans to add “a couple teams.” When she spoke to Boardroom in July that year, she listed several cities interested in hosting a franchise. This included the state of Florida. If you remember, the state once had not one but two WNBA teams. The Miami Sol (2000-2002) and the Orlando Miracle (1999-2002, later relocating to become the Connecticut Sun).
For longtime basketball fans, the Sol’s abrupt end is still a sore spot. In November 2002, it was financial struggles that forced the team to shut down, as it couldn’t meet the financial demands of the WNBA’s restructuring agreement. By January 2003, the league officially folded the Sol and Portland Fire, with their players heading to a dispersal draft.
Since then, Miami has had every major men’s pro sports team. The Marlins, Dolphins, Panthers, Heat, and Inter Miami. But it’s been over two decades since a professional women’s team called the city home. Something that even Udonis Haslem highlighted during his interview.
However, the conversation about WNBA expansion hasn’t died down either after Engelbert’s 2022 remarks. Just last year, the league teased fans with a social media post, asking, “You know, what’s better than 14 teams?” This piqued fans’ curiosity even further. And now that Miami recently witnessed the return of women’s professional basketball to Miami, the hopes are only bound to increase.
WNBA stars brought pro-women’s basketball back to Miami after over 2 decades
For the first time in over 20 years, women’s professional basketball made its way back to Miami. The last time the Magic City had a pro women’s team, the Miami Sol were lighting up the WNBA in the early 2000s. But with the arrival of Unrivaled, that long wait finally came to an end.
By now, most basketball fans would’ve heard about Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. And Miami wasn’t just another stop on the map. It was chosen as one of the league’s flagship cities, proving its importance in this new era of the sport.
With elite competition and a fresh, fast-paced style, Unrivaled brought new energy to women’s basketball in South Florida. Miami fans rallied behind six inaugural teams stacked with WNBA talent. Laces Basketball Club, Lunar Owls Basketball Club, Vinyl Basketball Club, Mist Basketball Club, Rose Basketball Club, and Phantom Basketball Club.
While this proved to be an exciting turn of events for the fans, there’s no denying that a WNBA team for the city has a nicer ring to it. And to see Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem’s teams going against each other? That’s just the cherry on the cake.
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