The 30th season of the WNBA is set to make history following the approval of a groundbreaking new collective bargaining agreement in March. With the off-court negotiations settled, attention now turns to the on-court action, where the Las Vegas Aces are eyeing their fourth championship in five years. The upcoming season also sees the return of Caitlin Clark after a prolonged absence due to injuries, as well as the introduction of expansion teams – the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
The Las Vegas Aces boast a solid lineup from their previous title-winning campaign, led by four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson. Wilson, named the pre-season AP player of the year, recently secured a record-breaking $5 million US supermax contract extension over the next three years, solidifying her status as the highest-paid player in WNBA history.
Having clinched three of the last four championships, the Aces face competition from the New York Liberty, featuring a formidable trio of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu. Ionescu, however, will be sidelined for the season’s early games due to a foot injury sustained in a pre-season match.
The Liberty have bolstered their roster by adding all-star Satou Sabally through free agency and making coaching changes following a disappointing playoff exit last season. Former Golden State Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco takes over from Sandy Brondello as head coach, one of five new head coaches in the league.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, who had a limited appearance last season due to injuries, is set to return stronger and healthier after dedicated offseason training.
In other league developments, notable free-agent movements occurred during the off-season, with players shifting teams, including Nneka Ogwumike returning to Los Angeles and Skylar Diggins moving to Chicago. The Connecticut Sun will bid farewell to their home state as they prepare to relocate to Houston next year under new ownership.
Additionally, the Minnesota Lynx face challenges with star player Napheesa Collier sidelined until at least early June due to ankle surgeries. The Lynx will rely on rookie Olivia Miles, the second pick in the recent WNBA draft, during Collier’s absence.
Fans can catch the action of the upcoming season on various broadcast platforms with a record 216 WNBA regular-season games and events scheduled for coverage on ABC/ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime Video, ION, NBC, USA Sports, and NBA TV.
The pre-season AP WNBA power poll has ranked the Las Vegas Aces as the top team, followed by the New York Liberty, Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Phoenix. The predicted order of finish sees Dallas in eighth place, Golden State ninth, and Chicago, Washington, Toronto, Seattle, Connecticut, and Portland rounding out the poll.
