Special Edition: Women’s basketball > everything

The offseason in one word? Transformational. The WNBA and its players’ association agreed to a groundbreaking seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) less than a month ago, ushering in a new (and more lucrative) era of women’s basketball.

💰 Money is often the centerpiece of labor negotiations — and this CBA was no different. The salary cap now sits at $7M (up from $1.5M), supermax deals begin at $1.4M (up from $249K), and the average salary is $600K (up from $120K). Cha-ching.

• But with great power comes great responsibility: Players will now be fined $500 for each of their first three technical fouls (and then even more as the techs mount), up from $200 last season.

🤝 Revenue share was the other big sticking point for the WNBPA, and the sides landed at nearly 20%. Rumor has it, the new revenue sharing model is expected to generate more than $1B (yes, with a B) in player compensation over the next seven seasons.

❤️‍🩹 Teams can now carry two extra players thanks to the addition of developmental roster spots. These players can be activated for up to 12 games (of each team’s 44 total) per season, helping reduce the need for temporary hardship contracts when active players are injured.

• This is a true win-win for players and franchises: It provides more opportunities for rookies, like later-round picks from the star-studded 2026 WNBA Draft, and ensures players who do step in as injury replacements are already integrated into the team.

✈️ The new CBA also brought some (long overdue) lifestyle upgrades: There’s now explicit standards for team facilities and staffing, fully codified league-wide charter air travel, and first-class accommodations on the road. The glow-up has officially arrived — and it has extra leg room.

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The lengthy CBA negotiations gave way to a frenetic free agency period: The truncated schedule meant over 100 free agents needed to sign deals in less than a week. Here are a few of the biggest names who made moves:

💜 Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams inked a multi-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries, a move many are calling the most impactful signing of the offseason.

✨ Joining Williams as one of Seattle’s five departures, Nneka Ogwumike (who was drafted No. 1 overall by the LA Sparks in 2012) signed a one-year deal to return to the city where her illustrious career began. Reunited and it feels so good.

🪽 Reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith is now a Dallas Wing after two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, bringing a much-needed inside presence to the Metroplex.

🗽 The rich got richer when Phoenix Mercury standout Satou Sabally signed with the star-studded NY Liberty.

☁️ The Chicago Sky front office was booked and busy during free agency, bringing Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm), Azurá Stevens (LA Sparks), Natasha Cloud (NY Liberty), and DiJonai Carrington (Minnesota Lynx) to the Windy City.

☀️ After one season with the Atlanta Dream, Brittney Griner committed to the Connecticut Sun on a one-year contract. This Houston product almost certainly has a plan.

👟 Even the expansion teams got in on the action: Storm starter Brittney Sykes signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with the Toronto Tempo, a lucrative inking for the Six’s first-ever free agent signing.

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➡️ Expansion teams make their debut: The WNBA is officially a 15-team league with the additions of the Portland Fire — led by expansion draft top pick Bridget Carleton — and Toronto Tempo, the first W team based outside of the U.S. The more the merrier, right?

🐣 The Washington Mystics’ youth movement: The ’Stics are the W’s youngest team with an average age of 24.6. Only Michaela Onyenwere and Shakira Austin have logged more than one season in the W with all six of Washington’s 2026 draft picks making the final roster cut.

🫧 Bubble teams ready to make the leap: Both the LA Sparks and Dallas Wings look poised to reach the postseason after missing out last year. The Sparks fortified their league-worst defense from 2025, bringing back Ogwumike and acquiring Ariel Atkins to hoop alongside a healthy Cameron Brink.

• Over in Dallas, the Wings inked a defensive juggernaut of their own in Smith before drafting the sharpshooting Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall to pair with Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.

🏆 Which team could take down the Las Vegas Aces? The star-studded Aces are seeking a fourth championship in five seasons. Here’s who could disrupt the dynasty:

• 🗽 NY Liberty: The Libs are (mostly) healthy, kept their core intact, and signed the aforementioned Sabally in free agency. What more could the seafoam superstars ask for?

• 💭 Atlanta Dream: Ready to build on a franchise-record 30 wins in 2025, the Dream added Angel Reese to a roster that features bona fide buckets in Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard.

• 🥵 Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark is back after an injury-riddled 2025 season, creating a lethal trio with Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

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The GIST: Keeping track of all the playoff action in the NHL and NBA is a full-time job. Good thing your sporty bestie is here to help manage the plethora of playoff games. Let’s do this.

🏒 On the ice:

🌀 The Carolina Hurricanes (up 3-0) are on the cusp of a second straight sweep after topping the shorthanded Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in last night’s Game 3. This storm is surging ahead of tomorrow’s 6 p.m. ET series-clinching Game 4.

🦬 The NHL’s youth movement is alive and well heading into tonight’s 7 p.m. ET Game 2 between the Buffalo Sabres (up 1-0) and the Montreal Canadiens as the postseason’s two youngest teams clash after a high-scoring Game 1. These kids are alright.

🦆 Consider the script flipped: The Anaheim Ducks (tied 1-1) — one of the NHL’s worst defensive teams — limited the Vegas Golden Knights to just 12 high-danger chances in Wednesday’s Game 2 win. Expect them to rinse and repeat tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET.

❄️ Can anyone slow down the Colorado Avalanche (up 2-0)? So far it’s been a resounding no: The Avs have scored 14 goals through two games vs. the Minnesota Wild with Game 3 slated for tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET.

🏀 On the court:

❤️ The Detroit Pistons’ (up 2-0) suffocating defense was the stuff of nightmares in last night’s 107–97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs will need more than 10 points from superstar James Harden to snag a win in tomorrow’s 3 p.m. ET Game 3.

⚡ The defending champ Oklahoma City Thunder (up 2-0) earned their sixth straight playoff win with last night’s 125–107 W over the LA Lakers — and a certain Lakeshow reinforcement isn’t expected back any time soon as tomorrow’s 8:30 p.m. ET Game 3 looms.

💙 Expect tonight’s 7 p.m. ET Game 3 between the NY Knicks (up 2-0) and Philadelphia 76ers to be a battle, especially after Wednesday's Game 2 saw 25 lead changes, the most in a playoff game in more than a decade.

🐴 The San Antonio Spurs (tied 1-1) forced 22 turnovers in Wednesday’s dominant 133–95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who can’t afford any more sloppiness in tonight’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 3.