The WNBA’s 30th season gets underway on Friday night with several positive developments for the league and its players. Alongside the milestone anniversary, a new labor agreement has been reached, star player Caitlin Clark is back in action, and two new expansion teams are entering the league, including the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s inaugural WNBA franchise.
In recent months, the WNBA and its players successfully negotiated a seven-year collective bargaining agreement, significantly boosting player salaries and increasing the salary cap to $7 million US. Top players can now earn over $1 million annually, with a minimum salary of $270,000-$300,000. The league’s growing financial success is evidenced by soaring team valuations, with the average team value surpassing $400 million and the Golden State Valkyries now valued at around $1 billion.
Caitlin Clark, a standout player from the college ranks, is back after a challenging 2025 season marred by injuries. Her return to full health is anticipated to bolster the Indiana Fever’s title aspirations, with the team making a strong playoff run last season despite her absence.
The upcoming season looks wide open in terms of championship contenders. The New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, and Atlanta Dream are among the teams poised for a competitive season. The Toronto Tempo, the newest addition to the league, are set to make their debut and feature a mix of veteran talent and promising rookies.
After three decades since the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies joined the NBA, Canada welcomes its first WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo. Owned by Canadian billionaire Larry Tanenbaum’s company and coached by Sandy Brondello, the Tempo are gearing up for their inaugural game against the Washington Mystics. The team boasts a roster that includes seasoned players like Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, along with rookie standout Kiki Rice.
Canadian presence in the WNBA extends beyond the Toronto Tempo, with players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, Aaliyah Edwards, Laeticia Amihere, and Cassandre Prosper making their mark in the league. Nurse, a prominent Canadian player, brings experience and skill to the Tempo, having played for multiple WNBA teams since 2018.
As the WNBA’s 30th season unfolds, fans can expect an exciting blend of talent, competition, and new opportunities for growth within the league.
For further insights on the Toronto Tempo and their prospects for the season, you can read more from CBC Sports contributor Myles Dichter and Shireen Ahmed on the team’s dynamics and impact on women’s sports in Canada.
