It was a WNBA offseason not like every other, with a monthslong labor dispute that put the whole lot right into a holding sample.
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Even earlier than the season ended Oct. 10 with the Las Vegas Aces profitable their third title, three coaches had been dismissed. Then Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier publicly known as out WNBA management and commissioner Cathy Engelbert, which set the tone for a contentious offseason.
The tip of October introduced the primary of a number of deadline extensions for a collective bargaining settlement. The WNBA did what enterprise it might — holding the draft lottery in November and releasing the schedule in January — however the league and the gamers’ affiliation at instances appeared to date aside there have been issues concerning the 2026 season.
A brand new CBA was lastly reached in March after an intense eight-day negotiating session in New York. The CBA marathon was adopted by a roster-building dash: the growth draft, free company and the common draft occurred in a busy 10-day interval in April.
Now, with the WNBA lower than two weeks from opening its thirtieth season, listed here are 12 issues that formed the offseason.
Storm fireplace Quinn, first of 5 head teaching jobs to be stuffed
Date: Sept. 21, 2025
The Seattle Storm transferring on from Noelle Quinn after 4 seasons and a 101-97 document was the primary domino to fall within the teaching carousel for the 2026 season. However the greatest teaching change of the offseason got here two days later, when the New York Liberty fired Sandy Brondello 11 months after she led the franchise to its first WNBA title. The winningest coach in Liberty historical past, Brondello was 107-53 in 4 seasons.
Brondello, who led the Phoenix Mercury to the 2014 WNBA championship, wasn’t unemployed for lengthy. The Toronto Tempo, one in all two growth franchises that may play their inaugural seasons this summer time, employed her Nov. 4. “From my first conversations with the Tempo group,” Brondello stated, “it was clear we share the identical imaginative and prescient: to construct a world-class franchise that competes on the highest stage.”
In Dallas, the Wings let Chris Koclanes go Sept. 30 after one season on the helm wherein he completed tied for the league’s worst document at 10-34. He was changed by longtime South Florida Bulls coach Jose Fernandez, who’s now main 2025 Rookie of the Yr Paige Bueckers and 2026 No. 1 choose Azzi Fudd.
Seattle employed former Liberty assistant Sonia Raman on Oct. 28, and a pair of former NBA assistant coaches have been tabbed for the opposite two head teaching vacancies. The growth Portland Hearth employed Alex Sarama, most just lately an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as their inaugural coach Oct. 17. New York employed former Golden State Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco on Nov. 21. — Kendra Andrews
Gamers vs. league: Tensions flare, CBA deadlines come and go
Dates:
• Sept. 30, 2025: Napheesa Collier blasts Cathy Engelbert
• Oct. 30, 2025: First of a number of CBA deadlines passes
• Nov. 30, 2025: One other deadline passes, negotiating interval prolonged to Jan. 9
• Dec. 1, 2025: Particulars of WNBA’s newest proposal embrace million-dollar salaries
In her exit interview after No. 1 seed Minnesota was upset within the WNBA semifinals and she or he had been sidelined by harm, ahead Napheesa Collier harshly criticized commissioner Cathy Engelbert, saying the WNBA had “the worst management on this planet.”
CBA negotiations have been already anticipated to be contentious, going again to the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” T-shirts gamers wore on the All-Star Sport in July. Collier’s remarks — saying officiating and participant compensation had not been correctly addressed — turned up the warmth. Collier additionally alleged that, in a non-public dialog with Engelbert in February 2025, the commissioner had stated the gamers ought to be “on their knees” in gratitude to the league. Engelbert denied saying that however did vow that the league would do higher to answer gamers’ complaints.
The WNBA and the union weren’t anticipated to satisfy their first CBA deadline on the finish of October. That extension was a formality. However by Thanksgiving, it was clear the CBA wasn’t coming in November, both.
As December started, sources revealed the league’s most up-to-date proposal had set max salaries, together with income share, at $1.2 million. However the sides have been nonetheless far aside, particularly on the subject of income sharing percentages. — Michael Voepel
Throughout her exit interview after the top-seeded Lynx have been eradicated from the playoffs, Napheesa Collier accused WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert of being “negligent” in her governance. Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesLottery provides Dallas No. 1 choose for second straight yr
Date: Nov. 23, 2025
With the WNBA draft lottery odds decided by a two-year cumulative document, the Dallas Wings had a definite benefit heading into 2025 after posting a 9-31 document in 2024. The Los Angeles Sparks traded for Kelsey Plum and have been making a playoff push in 2025, in order that they improved from 8-32 to 21-23. The Wings and Sky tied with 10-34 information in 2025, however Chicago — which had already beforehand traded its 2026 first-round choose to Minnesota — was 13-27 in 2024, which gave Dallas a four-game benefit within the race to one of the best odds.
There have been no surprises within the lottery as the highest 5 did not change and the Wings received with 42.0% odds, marking the fifth time in league historical past {that a} franchise secured No. 1 picks in consecutive seasons. The Fever have been the latest with Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. Indiana is in win-now mode and a championship contender. Plum was the No. 1 choose to the San Antonio Stars in 2017 earlier than the franchise moved to Las Vegas, turned the Aces, and drafted A’ja Wilson and Jackie Younger with the primary total choose in every of the following two years. That arrange the Aces for 3 championships and 4 Finals journeys within the final six seasons.
The Storm had back-to-back No. 1 choices twice: 2001-02 and 2015-16. Lauren Jackson and Sue Fowl have been the primary pair, and so they received the primary two championships in franchise historical past. Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart have been the latter duo and received two extra titles for Seattle. If historical past holds regular, the mixture of UConn’s Bueckers and Fudd might put Dallas in place to compete for championships for years.
Fudd was the purest shooter within the NCAA final season, a ability that ought to translate instantly. The remainder of her recreation must proceed to develop. The Wings hit free company laborious with the signings of Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard whereas preserving Arike Ogunbowale. This can be a much-improved roster, however is it playoff-ready with first-year coach Jose Fernandez? That is the aim, however solely time will inform. — Kareem Copeland
Wings president Greg Bibb, left, and Rookie of the Yr Paige Bueckers, proper, welcomed No. 1 choose Azzi Fudd to the staff on draft evening. Fudd and Bueckers additionally have been teammates at UConn, profitable a nationwide championship with the Huskies. Melanie Fidler/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesPlayers vs. league, Half II: Nonetheless no CBA, months of uncertainty
Dates:
• Dec. 12, 2025: Clark requires compromise on each side
• Dec. 18, 2025: WNBPA members vote to strike ‘when crucial’
• Jan. 9, 2026: One other CBA deadline passes, sides conform to maintain negotiating
• Jan. 21, 2026: League releases 2026 schedule
• Feb. 6, 2026: Newest WNBA proposal floats housing provisions
• Feb. 23, 2026: League units March 10 deadline
At a USA Basketball coaching camp in Durham, North Carolina, on Dec. 12, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark mentioned the need of compromise to make sure there could be a 2026 WNBA season. Clark and different gamers on the camp struck a extra conciliatory tone than the union did six days later with some saber rattling.
The WNBPA introduced its members had voted to permit the chief committee to name a strike if the management group felt that was crucial. The union accused the league of “resistance to alter and a recommitment to the draconian provisions which have unfairly restricted gamers for practically three many years.”
The WNBA countered, saying, “It’s obscure claims that the league is resistant to alter, notably on condition that we’re proposing quite a few CBA modifications.”
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The union proposed that the gamers obtain 30% of gross income. The league countered with nearer to fifteen%, claiming the WNBA might undergo losses as much as $700 million if it went to 30%.
The Jan. 9 CBA deadline got here and went, however issues remained “established order” as each side continued to barter. In a nod towards “normalcy,” the league launched the 44-game regular-season schedule Jan. 21.
The league’s latest proposal on Feb. 6 — which got here round six weeks after the union’s most up-to-date proposal round Christmas — included some potential modifications in paying for gamers’ housing. Over the following few weeks, each side traded counterproposals. Income sharing continued to be the most important stumbling block.
On Feb. 23, the league set March 10 as the latest deadline for an settlement, saying the 2026 season couldn’t be assured to begin on time if the perimeters did not hit this goal. — Voepel
Wholesome Clark makes Workforce USA debut together with 5 others
Date: March 11, 2026
Eight months after she was formally shut down towards the tip of the 2025 WNBA common season, Caitlin Clark made her senior Workforce USA debut because the U.S. beat Senegal 110-46 within the opening recreation of a FIBA World Cup qualifying match in Puerto Rico. In her first recreation since July, Clark completed with 17 factors on 4-of-5 capturing and 12 assists in 19 minutes.
Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers additionally made their senior Workforce USA debuts, as did Kiki Iriafen, Monique Billings and Rae Burrell.
The Fever introduced final Sept. 4 that Clark could be sidelined, however by that time she hadn’t performed since July 15 as she handled a proper groin harm. A further bone bruise on her left ankle helped result in the choice to close down her second season. Clark performed solely 13 video games in 2025 after not lacking a single recreation her rookie yr. — Andrews
Gamers vs. league, Half III: Let’s make a deal
Dates:
• March 3, 2026: Gamers’ letter to union head revealed
• March 6, 2026: Stewart says letter was meant to get everybody again on monitor
• March 10, 2026: Marathon negotiating interval begins in New York
• March 18, 2026: Finally, league and union attain settlement
• March 24, 2026: WNBA homeowners ratify deal
After months of each negotiations and stalemate, the rubber met the street in March because the clock ticked down on CBA talks with a heightened sense of urgency. Govt committee members Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum despatched a letter to WNBPA govt director Terri Jackson expressing concern about negotiations, “together with the shortage of satisfactory participant involvement within the course of.” The gamers stated they have been “annoyed that we now have not made extra progress as we close to the March 10 deadline, and we consider this can be a results of a breakdown in communication between you and the chief committee and gamers extra broadly.”
Stewart adopted that up saying a subsequent March 5 name with the chief committee was productive. And by the March 10 deadline, intense negotiations started in New York with gamers reminiscent of Stewart included on the desk.
A gaggle of WNBA reporters, together with ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, staked out the lodge for eight days, with negotiations going effectively into the early morning. After greater than 100 hours on the bargaining desk, Engelbert instructed reporters round 3 a.m. ET on March 18, “We’ve got aligned on key components of a brand new collective bargaining settlement collectively.”
The highlights: a $7 million wage cap — up from $1.5 million in 2025 — and $1.4 million supermax, with a median wage round $600,000. Income share — the most important impediment throughout negotiations — will common practically 20% of gross income throughout the size of the deal. — Voepel
Solar are bought to Houston possession group
Date: March 30, 2026
ESPN reported on Dec. 19 that the Solar have been in talks with Houston Rockets possession to promote the franchise. The Solar had already been available on the market after initially pursuing a restricted partnership sale that may assist fund an infrastructure construct. In July 2025, possession agreed to promote the staff to a gaggle led by former Boston Celtics minority proprietor Steve Pagliuca for $325 million, however the league blocked the sale, saying “relocation selections are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and never by particular person groups.” Engelbert had already raved concerning the Houston group when asserting that Toronto, Portland, Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland had been chosen for growth franchises.
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Months later, on March 30, the Mohegan Tribe agreed to promote the staff to Rockets proprietor Tilman Fertitta for $300 million — which implies the group will come to an in depth on the finish of its twenty fourth season in Connecticut after transferring from Orlando in 2003. The Solar by no means received a title however superior to the Finals 4 instances (2004, 2005, 2019, 2022) and had 16 playoff appearances after transferring from Florida. Robust teaching was a staple for many of its existence from Mike Thibault to Anne Donovan to Curt Miller to Stephanie White. Tina Charles received her league MVP in 2012 sporting the Connecticut orange, and Jonquel Jones did the identical in 2021.
Whereas the group has dubbed 2026 its “sundown season,” essentially the most dominant franchise in league historical past is about to return subsequent offseason. The Comets received the primary 4 WNBA championships with a ridiculous core that included Corridor of Famers Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper. The possession group put collectively a powerful sufficient pitch that Engelbert particularly talked about them when asserting the cities that have been just lately awarded a franchise staff. It appeared clear that Houston was up subsequent, although it occurred in an ungainly style because the Mohegan Tribe tried to maintain the staff in New England. Houston is the U.S. metropolis with the fourth-highest inhabitants (2.39 million), in response to 2024 census information, and it was the one metropolis within the prime 5 with no WNBA staff.
Nonetheless, essentially the most notable factor of the entire ordeal was how the league influenced the sale and primarily denied possession’s most popular choices. So the query transferring ahead is how a lot the league can dictate conditions like these? Toronto and upcoming franchises in Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia all have possession teams which have stakes in NBA groups. These connections appear to be a precedence for the WNBA. — Copeland
Portland, Toronto maintain growth draft
Date: April 3, 2026
The growth draft was the primary order of enterprise after the CBA was agreed upon, and it lastly gave Toronto and Portland the chance to begin constructing their rosters. Administration for each groups spent the months main as much as April drafting mock situations, however with out official guidelines in place, they may solely speculate and guess which gamers could be left unprotected on the rosters of the 13 preexisting groups.
Portland chosen Bridget Carleton, beforehand with the Lynx, with the primary total choose of the draft, whereas Toronto chosen Julie Allemand from the Sparks. Each growth franchises relied on a heavy veteran presence of their draft picks. Portland normal supervisor Vanja Cernivec instructed reporters she wished gamers who would jell effectively as teammates but additionally match the European-inspired type the teaching workers is creating.
The Tempo’s headliner within the draft was Marina Mabrey, who will probably be the staff’s No. 1 scoring choice. Their preliminary roster development suggests a high-tempo offensive staff, with gamers reminiscent of Mabrey and Allemand in addition to Aaliyah Nye, Lexi Held and Maria Conde. Behind Coach Brondello, the Tempo look like in as a lot of a “win now” mode as a staff in its first yr will be. — Andrews
Reese traded to Atlanta, ending her time in Chicago
Date: April 6, 2026
Issues have been by no means the identical between Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky after important feedback made to the Chicago Tribune in early September. “I am not settling for a similar s— we did this yr,” the two-time All-Star instructed the Tribune. “We’ve got to get good gamers. We’ve got to get nice gamers. That is a nonnegotiable for me. I am keen and eager to play with one of the best. And nonetheless I might help to get one of the best right here, that is what I am going to do that offseason.” She additionally expressed issues with the purpose guard place and Courtney Vandersloot, who turned 37 years outdated in February.
Reese apologized to teammates and the Sky suspended her for the primary half of a recreation towards the Las Vegas Aces for “statements detrimental to the staff.” However she by no means performed one other recreation in a Chicago jersey, lacking video games with a again harm and one on account of a league-mandated, single-game suspension for technical fouls.
In an April 6 commerce, the Sky despatched Reese to the Atlanta Dream for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 and a 2028 second-round choose swap. The 2024 No. 7 total choose has averaged 14.1 factors and 12.9 rebounds for her profession.
Reese had been Chicago’s finest participant the previous two seasons, however the Sky’s roster reconstruction hit one other section with out her. The staff additionally traded Ariel Atkins, whom it acquired from Washington for the 2025 No. 3 total choose, a 2027 second-round choose and the rights to swap 2027 first-round picks. Atkins was moved to the Los Angeles Sparks for 2024 No. 4 choose Rickea Jackson. In free company, Chicago signed Skylar Diggins, Azura Stevens and DiJonai Carrington. The Sky drafted UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez with the No. 5 choose.
Reese, in the meantime, joined a staff constructed to instantly compete for a championship with a core of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Grey, Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon, Jordin Canada and Te-Hina Paopao. “I loved with the ability to develop inside my first two years, however I wished extra,” Reese stated at her introductory information convention. “I like to win, I like to compete and I wished to be surrounded by individuals that may make me higher.” — Copeland
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McNutt: Angel Reese commerce advantages all events concerned
Monica McNutt joins “SportsCenter” to interrupt down what the Sky buying and selling Angel Reese to the Dream means for each groups.
The WNBA’s first million-dollar salaries
Dates:
• April 9: Aces’ Jackie Younger hits million mark
• April 15: Aces’ A’ja Wilson indicators 3-year supermax deal
• April 17: Fever’s Aliyah Boston will get richest extension thus far
One of many quick impacts of the brand new CBA? Salaries, for the primary time, are eye-catching. They may not stand out subsequent to the multimillions another skilled sports activities supply, nevertheless it’s nonetheless life-changing cash that elevates the league.
Las Vegas’ Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston are all examples of former No. 1 picks who’ve aligned their professional identities with the franchises that drafted them. Boston was coming into the final yr of her rookie deal, however beneath new provisions within the CBA, was allowed to interchange her 2026 wage by signing the extension.
The Aces have a 3rd million-dollar participant this season in Chelsea Grey, who has received three WNBA titles alongside Wilson and Younger. — Voepel
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New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever – Sport Highlights
New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever – Sport Highlights
Massive names transfer in mellow free company
Date: April 10, 2026
The 2026 free company interval did not develop into absolutely the insanity that many anticipated with over 100 gamers being unrestricted free brokers. The vast majority of the larger names remained with their earlier golf equipment.
Nneka Ogwumike, the 2016 MVP and a 10-time All-Star, was essentially the most embellished participant to alter groups when she returned to the franchise that drafted her No. 1 total in 2012. Ogwumike joined a Los Angeles Sparks staff with intentions of difficult for a championship with Plum, Atkins, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink and Burrell.
There was some shock when the Phoenix Mercury did not try to signal Satou Sabally and let her head to New York. The Liberty stored their massive three of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones and added a three-time All-Star and 2023 All-WNBA choice in Sabally, who averaged 16.3 factors, 5.9 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists final season. Damage historical past is the one knock towards Sabally.
Seattle reset its roster by letting Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins, who signed with the Sky, stroll. Diggins to Chicago was surprising contemplating the six-time All-WNBA choice is 35 years outdated and nonetheless looking for her first championship. The Sky do not look like at that stage of competition in the meanwhile.
The Lynx, together with the Storm, appeared to undergo the most important blows of free company when 2025 Defensive Participant of the Yr Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard each signed with Dallas. The pair have been vital additions to a Wings staff trying to take a step ahead with No. 1 picks Bueckers and Fudd and the re-signing of Ogunbowale.
The Valkyries added two-time All-Protection Gabby Williams. Azura Stevens turned a profession yr (12.8 factors, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks) right into a take care of the Sky, and nine-time All-Star Brittney Griner landed in Connecticut after not being named an All-Star for simply the third time of her profession.
The Liberty, reigning champion Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream all stored their core, stay contenders and the category of the league and are the betting favorites in that order. — Copeland
Draft a part of whirlwind participant acquisition interval
Date: April 13, 2026
For the primary time in a number of years, there was some uncertainty within the week earlier than the draft about who may go No. 1. However as draft day arrived, it appeared Fudd was Dallas’ clear alternative for the highest choose.
That reunited Fudd with former UConn teammate Bueckers, the No. 1 choose and WNBA Rookie of the Yr in 2025, to offer the Wings a powerhouse backcourt together with veteran guard Ogunbowale.
In the meantime, the celebration for UCLA continued. The week after profitable the nationwide championship, six Bruins have been chosen within the draft, essentially the most by any faculty program in the identical yr. Main the way in which was middle Lauren Betts, chosen No. 4 by the Washington Mystics.
The brand new CBA’s influence on rookie offers was large: The typical first-year wage for 2026 is projected at $386,000, in comparison with roughly $75,000 in 2025. — Voepel