New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - The WNBA announced Wednesday it will be adding a new franchise in Atlanta to begin play in 2008.

WNBA president Donna Orender made the announcement in New York. The new team will be primarily owned and operated by Atlanta businessman J. Ronald Terwilliger.

"As a great sports town and a region that enthusiastically supports women's athletics, Atlanta is a terrific destination for the WNBA," said Orender. "This is a family-oriented community with tremendous civic pride. I am confident that as a world-class sports league providing great family entertainment, the WNBA will be embraced here for years to come. I commend Ron Terwilliger for his efforts in bringing the WNBA to Atlanta and know the league will benefit from his superior leadership skills, business acumen and commitment to the community."

The Atlanta franchise, which will choose a name, logo, colors and head coach at a later date, is the sixth WNBA team to be independently owned and operated.

An Arlington, Virginia native and honor graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Terwilliger has been chairman and chief executive officer of Trammell Crow Residential, a national real estate company, since 1986. He has also served as vice chairman of the International Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity and is the former chairman of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership.

"I am excited to make this contribution to Atlanta's sports community," said Terwilliger. "Our effort is to transcend sports, making a statement of encouragement and support to girls and women in our society. I am participating as a sports fan who will enjoy the journey and as a dad for his daughters and other young women like them. We are committed to developing a successful team, taking the time and expending the energy to build something very special. And, I am hoping that Atlantans will adopt this team and embrace it as their own. We will make our mark in the history books with this team and have a great time doing it."

The WNBA will feature 14 teams in 2008, with the Eastern and Western Conferences comprised of seven teams each. Atlanta will join the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Detroit Shock, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics in the Eastern Conference, while the Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, San Antonio Silver Stars and Seattle Storm will make up the Western Conference.

The WNBA has not announced where the new Atlanta franchise will play its home games.