Just like your fave tunnel fit, the WNBA’s back serving looks as the second half of the season tipped off with last night’s five-game slate. Let’s hoop to it with a mid-week round-up of who’s hot and who’s not, plus a look at the road ahead.

The WNBA’s All-Star Weekend (ASW) drove a variety of online conversation, from ongoing CBA negotiations to the proliferation of StudBudz, the player-powered shared social media profile that offered an entertaining inside look into ASW.

From a shoe phone capturing all the action to the StudBudz streaming the non-stop party, WNBA All-Star Weekend truly left no crumbs…but players are still hungry for their rightful piece of the pie.

And it’s not just the typical Midwest summer weather — it’s WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW), where the league’s best will converge on Indianapolis for two days of hoopla. Cue Smash Mouth and let’s go play.

The star-studded All-Star Weekend three-point contest lineup was revealed yesterday and Sunday’s Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever showdown drew historic numbers — but that’s not even the buzziest W news so far this week.

Yesterday, Portland’s WNBA expansion team finally launched its long-awaited brand reveal, showcasing its name and logo as the Portland Fire. While there are some local criticisms about the name, Portland made this decision with significant intentionality, which may have influenced the overall positive response to the name.

This year will mark the fourth edition of WNBA Live at WNBA All-Star Weekend, where 25 event sponsors will offer IRL activations for fans. The efficacy of experiential advertising pairs well with the impressive purchase consideration from women’s sports fans, who boast higher awareness and devotion to sponsors in women’s sports.

With the WNBA All-Star reserves announced, the stage is set for the league’s first-ever All-Star draft tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — but as some stars align, other W news isn’t nearly as shiny. Let’s dig in.

The WNBA defined the relationship with three new cities on Monday, announcing expansion to Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. With an 18-team league looming, here are the green, red, and beige flags surrounding the news.

The WNBA tipped off Monday with major news: The league is awarding three new expansion franchises to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Each of the winning bids agreed to pay a record $250M expansion fee — higher than the valuations of half the W — with additional investments committed to team and facility development.

Get used to seeing the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark go head-to-head. Not only were the superstars named All-Star Game captains yesterday, but they’ll also square off in tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Commissioner’s Cup. Hoop yeah.

Think of today’s WNBA updates like an episode of Love Island — there’s a hot bombshell, a dramatic split, and something that just might break the internet. Cracking on…