Could the Heartland Support Another Women's Professional Basketball League? (Part 2)

Last time, we explored a simple question.

What if another women’s professional basketball league could thrive—not by competing with the WNBA, but by bringing professional basketball to the communities throughout America’s Heartland that have embraced the game for generations?

As I mentioned in Part One, everything you’re about to read is fictional.

The Women’s American Basketball Association—the WABA—does not exist.

At least not today.

But every successful sports league began with an idea.

This week, let’s imagine what that idea might actually look like.

Building the League

Our fictional investors quickly agree on one important principle.

Don’t grow too quickly.

Too many professional leagues have failed because expansion outpaced stability.

Instead, the WABA will begin with just ten carefully selected franchises, divided into two five-team divisions.

The goal isn’t simply to place teams on a map.

The goal is to build lasting rivalries, develop loyal fan bases, and establish a solid financial foundation before considering expansion.

League officials believe the best locations aren’t necessarily America’s largest cities.

Instead, they choose communities where basketball is already deeply woven into everyday life.

Cities where the game has history.

Cities where fans appreciate fundamentals.

Cities where supporting hometown teams is already part of the culture.

EAST CONFERENCE - NORTH DIVISION

Fort Wayne, Indiana – Mad Ants

Basketball has always been part of Fort Wayne’s identity.

From youth leagues to high school championships and professional basketball, the city understands the game.

The Mad Ants quickly establish themselves as one of the WABA’s model franchises.

Opening Night sells out.

Season tickets disappear almost immediately.

The community embraces the team from the very beginning.

South Bend, Indiana – Shamrocks

Travel north, and another outstanding basketball community awaits.

South Bend becomes home to the Shamrocks.

The organization quickly develops a reputation for community involvement.

Players visit schools.

Youth clinics become regular events.

Families proudly wear Shamrocks jerseys throughout northern Indiana.

Professional basketball becomes another source of community pride.

Grand Rapids, Michigan – Griffins

Grand Rapids has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to support quality sports organizations.

The Griffins reward that support with exciting basketball and one of the league’s best game-day experiences.

The franchise quickly becomes one of the WABA’s flagship organizations.

Kalamazoo, Michigan – Cougars

Just down the highway sits another basketball-rich community.

The Kalamazoo Cougars immediately develop a spirited rivalry with Grand Rapids.

Fans travel between the two cities.

Schools organize bus trips.

Communities proudly display team colors during rivalry week.

The league couldn’t have scripted a better regional matchup.

Peoria, Illinois – Riverhawks

The final member of the North Division brings the league to central Illinois.

For decades, Peoria has occupied a special place in basketball history.

From youth basketball to state tournaments, the game has long been part of the city’s identity.

The Riverhawks become a natural fit.

EAST CONFERENCE - SOUTH DIVISION

Dayton, Ohio – Pilots

Few communities appreciate basketball quite like Dayton.

From opening night, the Pilots become one of the WABA’s showcase organizations.

Schools.

Churches.

Businesses.

Civic organizations.

The entire community rallies around the new franchise.

Every home game feels like a celebration.

Cincinnati, Ohio – Royals

Rather than inventing a new identity, league officials decide to honor basketball history.

The Cincinnati Royals return.

Although this is an entirely new women’s franchise, the historic name immediately connects generations of basketball fans.

The rivalry between Cincinnati and Dayton quickly becomes one of the WABA’s signature attractions.

Huntsville, Alabama – Rockets

One of the league’s most exciting expansion markets proves to be Huntsville.

Known nationally for innovation, education, and technology, the city embraces professional women’s basketball with tremendous enthusiasm.

The Rockets quickly become one of the league’s fastest-growing organizations.

Evansville, Indiana – Aces

Evansville has long appreciated basketball.

League officials believe it deserves a professional franchise of its own.

The Aces become known for disciplined basketball, outstanding teamwork, and one of the league’s most loyal fan bases.

Lexington, Kentucky – Thoroughbreds

The final charter franchise brings the league to the Bluegrass State.

Basketball has long occupied a special place in Kentucky.

The Thoroughbreds immediately become one of the WABA’s showcase organizations.

Young girls throughout the region now have another dream.

One day…

Perhaps they’ll hear their name called on WABA Draft Night.

Five Years Later...

The league’s founders hoped for steady growth.

They never imagined success would come so quickly.

Attendance continues to increase.

Corporate sponsorships expand.

Streaming audiences exceed expectations.

Youth basketball partnerships flourish.

Perhaps most importantly, families throughout the Heartland embrace the WABA as their own.

League officials now face a question they hoped they would someday have to answer.

Is it time to expand?

The answer is unanimous.

Yes.

A New Frontier

Rather than adding just one or two teams, the league announces an entirely new conference.

The West Conference

Another ten franchises.

Another opportunity to grow the game.

West North Division

* Des Moines River Queens

* Omaha Tornadoes

* Sioux Falls Stampede

* Lincoln Lancers

* Fargo Freeze

West South Division

Wichita Pioneers

* Springfield Cruisers

* Tulsa Storm

* Little Rock Diamonds

* Shreveport Magnolias

Each community is selected for the same reason as the original ten.

A love for basketball.

Strong community support.

Regional rivalries.

Affordable family entertainment.

A commitment to growing the game.

More Than Basketball

As the WABA grows, league officials realize something important.

They’re no longer simply selling basketball games.

They’re building community.

Children proudly wear team jerseys.

Youth players attend clinics hosted by professional athletes.

Businesses proudly display team banners.

Families make game night a tradition.

Communities gain another source of hometown pride.

Professional sports become personal.

Could It Ever Happen?

Of course, this entire discussion remains fictional.

There is no Women’s American Basketball Association.

There are no charter franchises.

No championship trophy.

No draft.

No expansion announcement.

At least…

Not today.

But history reminds us that every successful sports league once existed only in someone’s imagination.

Someone believed there was room for another opportunity.

Someone believed communities would support it.

Someone dared to dream.

Would a league like the WABA succeed?

No one can answer that question.

Perhaps it would flourish.

Perhaps it would face tremendous challenges.

Perhaps it would reshape the landscape of women’s professional basketball.

Or perhaps it simply reminds us of something we already know.

Women’s basketball has never been stronger.

Communities have never embraced the game more enthusiastically.

Young athletes have never had more opportunities.

And the future has never looked brighter.

Sometimes asking **”What if?”** isn’t about predicting the future.

Sometimes it’s simply about reminding ourselves that the next great chapter in sports history often begins with imagination.

Who knows?

Maybe someday, somewhere, a group of visionary entrepreneurs will gather around a conference table and ask that same question.

What if?

Thank you for reading the **Across the Heartland Blog**.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think America’s Heartland could support another professional women’s basketball league? Feel free to share your comments or email me at **[email protected].

I’m Mark Bixler.

Next time, we’ll begin a completely different journey as we launch a new series exploring **The Changing Landscape of High School and College Athletics**—a look at how conference realignment, school consolidation, athletic co-ops, demographics, and the business of sports are reshaping athletics across America’s Heartland.

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Could the Heartland Support Another Women’s Professional Basketball League? (Part 2)