The Wahlberg/Carter-Williams group, named Boston Women's Basketball Partners, would have to officially apply for a team and then be approved by the league's owners, as well as pay an expansion fee. The Portland franchise paid a $125 million expansion free, while Front Office Sports reported the Cleveland group paid a record $250 million.
"As a longtime Boston Celtics fan who attended countless NBA games in my lifetime, nothing would bring me more joy than to have a WNBA franchise in the city of Boston," Wahlberg said in an email to the Globe. "I look forward to the day I can walk into the Garden, along with thousands of the greatest (and most knowledgeable) basketball fans on the planet, to root for Boston's hometown WNBA team."
Wu released a statement to the Globe.
"As the city of champions, Boston is the hub for sports fans, and we would be delighted to host a trailblazing WNBA team," the statement read. "The introduction of a women's team would expand opportunities for young basketball players in our city and we look forward to learning more about what we could accomplish together."
It is uncertain how much the WNBA wants to expand beyond 16 teams, but there is a list of other interested cities, such as Detroit, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Charlotte.