Monthly Archive 18 January 2024

The Indiana Fever were the lucky winners of the 2024 WNBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, and they now have the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row. With it, Indiana is expected to select Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who, along with unanimous 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, should end the Fever’s status as a perennial lottery team.

But what about the other teams and the other top prospects in this talented 2024 draft class? Now that the lottery is set, let’s take a look at how things might shake out with an initial lottery-only mock draft.

(Note: Clark, Bueckers and Brink are all eligible to return to school next season.)

1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark – G, Iowa
   Let’s be honest, you could have pre-written this months ago, as Clark has long been the projected first pick regardless of which team won the lottery. That it was the Fever, who have won the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row and can now pair her with unanimous Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston in a perfect inside-outside combination, only makes it more certain.

Clark leads the nation in scoring at 29.5 points per game, is tied for fourth in assists at 7.4 and seems likely to become the first player since Breanna Stewart to win back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year awards. She is a true game-changing talent on the perimeter with elite shooting and playmaking ability. The best guard prospect to turn pro in years, Clark would immediately form the most exciting young duo in the league with Boston.

2. Los Angeles Sparks: Paige Bueckers – G, UConn
   After the Fever, the Sparks were the day’s big winners. They only missed out on the playoffs by one game last season as the result of horrible injury luck, and are not a typical lottery team. They were the only team to move up a slot based on the projected odds, and have secured the No. 2 pick — their highest selection since 2012.

Best of all from their perspective, their biggest need is on the perimeter, and this now ensures they’ll get Bueckers, who is by far the best guard prospect after Clark. The 6-foot UConn product has some serious injury concerns — in the last two years, she’s torn her ACL and meniscus, fractured her tibial plateau and undergone ankle surgery — but her talent is undeniable. Her impressive shooting and playmaking skills are just what the Sparks need.

3. Phoenix Mercury: Cameron Brink – C, Stanford
   No team needed the first pick as badly as the Mercury, who have had an extremely difficult couple of years and are coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Instead, their unlucky streak continued, as they were the only team to slide down the board based on the odds and wound up with the No. 3 pick. On the bright side, this is a deep class and in Brink they will get the best frontcourt prospect in the class.

The 6-foot-4 Brink is an interior force currently averaging 11.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, numbers that are good for seventh and third in the country, respectively. She’s also improved as a scorer while upping her usage rate this season. In Brink the Mercury could find their long-term replacement for Brittney Griner.

4. Seattle Storm: Rickea Jackson – F, Tennessee
   The Storm got punished by the league’s lottery system, which uses the aggregate record of the past two seasons to determine the odds for the top pick. That anti-tanking measure doesn’t take into account situations like Seattle’s where they were a contender one year then fell off because of player departures. As a result, the Storm were the second-worst team in the league last season, but wound up with the worst lottery odds and, in the end, the No. 4 pick in what appears to be a three-player draft.

Which direction they go in here will be interesting to see. Their biggest need is on the wing, but the best players available are centers. This is the lottery slot most subject to change, but for now we’ll lean toward Rickea Jackson. The Tennessee forward has been injured for most of the season, but she has been a 20-point-per-game scorer at multiple schools and has the size and physicality to adjust to the professional game.

Connecticut Sun guard and former UConn star Tiffany Hayes is officially retiring from the WNBA, she announced on Wednesday. The 2017 WNBA All-Star shared the news on the “Count Me Out” podcast.

“This right here with the Connecticut Sun was my last season,” Hayes said.

Hayes averaged 12.1 points in 40 games for the Sun through the 2023 season. Before joining the Sun’s roster earlier this year, she spent 10 years with the Atlanta Dream. Her resume was already impressive before being selected 14th overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft, as the Florida native won two national championships with the UConn Huskies in 2009 and 2010.

“It’s a lot of things. I really feel like I’m older now. I got a lot of stuff that I really always want to get into but I’m so busy ’cause I’m playing year-round,” Hayes said. “Plus, my body, playing 11 seasons straight with no breaks, every year, two seasons in a year every time, that’s a lot.”

Fun fact: Tiffany Hayes is one of just 10 players in WNBA history with…

4,000+ PTS
1,000+ FTM
1,000+ REB
750+ AST
350+ 3PMhttps://t.co/0LvIF4NzLh

Congrats on an incredible WNBA career! pic.twitter.com/Y1QrYFCdCz

— Across the Timeline (@WBBTimeline) December 13, 2023
The 34-year-old is not completely leaving basketball just yet. Throughout her time as a pro, Hayes has played overseas during the WNBA offseason — most recently with Çukurova Basketbol in Turkey. A lot of WNBA players play two seasons to make more money, but Hayes is now choosing to do just one so she can spend more time enjoying other areas of her life.

“You could still catch me overseas,” she said. “I just figured I’d focus on one thing and then summer time I could turn up my business. I could turn up life with my family and just live life like that.”

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and MALKA Media Group have partnered on a new sports documentary set to hit Tubi, Fox’s free ad-supported streaming television service, on Jan. 31, 2024. The film “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story,” will follow three current and one former athlete as they discuss their careers, their families and what’s on the horizon for the WNBA.

The documentary is directed by rising filmmaker Andrea Buccilla and an all-women development team. Buccilla herself played golf while attending college at Ole Miss and returned to her creative endeavors after teaching in Mississippi and New York for nearly nine years.

“SHATTERED GLASS: A WNBPA Story is more than a documentary – it’s a movement,” said Terri Carmichael Jackson, WNBPA executive director and an executive producer on the film, in the media release. “We’re bringing to light the incredible stories of these athletes, who are not just sports icons but powerful advocates for change, respect, and inspiration – something that all women can relate to and feel empowered by.”

CBS Sports viewed a rough cut of the documentary before it airs on Tubi next month.

For casual sports fans, the documentary will serve as a primer to the WNBA — its history, its athletes and a debunking of the myths and stereotypes that have followed the league and its players since 1997.

For more dedicated women’s basketball fans, “Shattered Glass” is a glimpse into the daily life of Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike during the 2023 season. The trio of current WNBA players also weigh in on whether the WNBPA should opt out of its current collective bargaining agreement.

From Good to Great
The documentary starts at an October WNBPA meeting including PA executive committee members and team representatives to discuss the CBA. The meeting served as a 12-month countdown to the opt-out deadline and served as the first of ongoing strategic meetings to determine what the union will decide.

“Yes, I want to opt out,” Stewart says is a 15-second trailer released today.

While the 2020 CBA was groundbreaking, there are still improvements WNBA players want to see. Buccilla gives viewers a glimpse into what topics the WNBPA will consider ahead of the next CBA negotiations. At the top of the list is salary increases, travel and expanded benefits for working moms.

The WNBPA is part of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a collective of 60 labor unions including the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.

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A post shared by WNBPA (@thewnbpa)

“Shattered Glass” follows Jackson as she joins SAG-AFTRA on the 110th day of their most recent strike. The film suggests the WNBPA will capitalize on its AFL-CIO network while considering whether to opt out of the current league contract.

Salaries and compensation is often at the heart of contract negotiations, and things will be no different for the WNBPA. Throughout the documentary, Jones, Stewart, Ogwumike and other players also weigh in on expanded benefits for parents and a pension program to support retired players. Through the ongoing interviews in the film, Buccilla portrays why these topics are important to current players.

“SHATTERED GLASS: A WNBPA Story is a transcendent documentary that uniquely captures the power and spirit of female athletes,” Tubi CEO Anjali Sud said. “Tubi is proud to collaborate with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association as part of our commitment to uplifting bold and inspiring voices for young and diverse audiences.”

The documentary has a current run time of nearly 75 minutes and will be available to watch exclusively on Tubi beginning Jan. 31, 2024. Jones, Stewart and Ogwumike are listed as executive producers alongside Jessica McCourt (MALKA), Rebecca Otto (Wasserman), Faith Suggs (Sports International Group) and Sheryl Swoopes. Erin Gilchrist managed the production.

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup will take on a slightly different look in its fourth year. No, the league didn’t announce flashy court designs or a $18 million dollar prize pool like its younger brother, the NBA Cup. However, like the men’s tournament, the Commissioner’s Cup will condense the Cup games.

“After crowning three Commissioner’s Cup champions since 2021, we believe it is time to introduce a new, streamlined format for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase for the 2024 season,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in the league press release.

Here’s a breakdown of the changes.

Two-week competition
In 2024, all WNBA teams will play their five qualifying games between June 1-13. As in years past, these designated games will be part of every team’s 40-game schedule and will count toward their season record. However, unlike in years’ past, all Commissioner’s Cup games will be played in a specific window of time.

“The newly designed, concentrated structure for this in-season tournament adds an increased sense of urgency and excitement as we place a particular spotlight on Eastern and Western Conference Commissioner’s Cup play in a two-week window near the tip-off of our regular season,” Engelbert said.

In the first three years, the first home game and first road game each team played against its five conference rivals were designated as Cup games. The teams with the highest winning percentage through those five games would punch their ticket to the Championship Game of the Commissioner’s Cup. Additionally, the Cup championship will be played in late June, as opposed to August.

Last year, this led to a showdown in Sin City between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty took the midsummer championship with an 82-63 win over the 2022 Cup winners. The Aces went on to defeat the Liberty in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals for their second consecutive championship.

More competition, more drama
Engelbert continues to prioritize opportunities to grow WNBA rivalries. Rivalries among fans of specific WNBA players and teams are in good supply on social media. What things like the Commissioner’s Cup or tight MVP races do is turn heated debates into live entertainment.

“The focus is on making the Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase even more engaging for all our stakeholders, including fans, teams, players and the community organizations that collaborate with our teams during the designated games,” Engelbert said.

This hyper-focus helps build household names, which in turn drives deeper and more significant opportunities for the league to parlay the celebrity of players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and others into marketing opportunities.

“I think the more and more people know who our players are, the more they watch,” Engelbert told media ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. “The more viewership you get, the more attendance you get … the more cities you are in.”

image001-1.png
The 2023 WNBA Finals increased across five categories year-over-year. Graphic courtesy WNBA PR. WNBA
The formula seems to be working. The league announced expansion to Northern California in October and Engelbert plans to add a second expansion team by 2025. Additionally, the WNBA hit record numbers in attendance, viewership and merchandise sales. Highlights include:

Over 36 million total unique viewers across all national networks, up 27 percent from 2022 and the highest since 2008
The highest total attendance (1,587,488) in 13 years
9.5 million unique viewers throughout the postseason
Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center hit an all-time attendance record of 17,000 fans
Just like the NCA Cup, the Commissioner’s Cup took a while to resonate with players and fans alike. The prize money helped bring players along. The in-season tournament final yields a $500,000 prize pool split between the top teams from the Eastern and Western Conference, respectively. Each player on the Los Angeles Lakers received $500,000 for their win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup. No doubt players would like to see the league move toward larger payouts.

As the league prepares to renegotiate broadcast deals with media partners and likely a new CBA with the players association, it will be interesting to see if and how these growth numbers impact salary increases, compensation bumps or even roster sizes in the WNBA.

More changes on the horizon?
Overall, the Commissioner’s Cup goes hand-in-hand with Engelbert’s growth strategy. The minor schedule changes seemingly provide an opportunity for the league to go all-in with marketing ahead of the Commissioner’s Cup Final. Yet, after seeing how the NBA rolled out the red carpet — or unique court designs — for its in-season tournament, perhaps the WNBA will make additional changes to the Commissioner’s Cup.

The NBA Cup courts drew mixed reviews. “In theory, having unique courts to set the tournament apart from the rest of the games was a brilliant idea, but execution wasn’t quite there,” said CBS Sports NBA writer Jasmyn Wimbish.

Players complained about unacceptable court conditions and raising health and safety concerns. The New York Liberty has used special court designs in partnership with Xbox the past two seasons with no complaints. Whether the league opts for special court designs or not, they will need more than a minor schedule change to drive interest.

🚨🚨

The @nyliberty have announced they will be collaborating with @Xbox for a 2nd season to bring a Starfield inspired basketball court to Barclays center.

The Liberty will play their 2 remaining home games ( 9/7 Sparks & 9/10 Mystics) on the custom court.

📸: NY Liberty pic.twitter.com/R0bBofQAZv

— The Local W (@TheLocalW) September 7, 2023
Speaking of the schedule, the league announced the full 2024 slate, which includes the final Commissioner’s Cup schedule. Given how last season played out, most people were excited to see when the Liberty and Aces square off for the first time, and that matchup is slated for June 15. However, that date will do little to drive excitement for the Commissioner’s Cup since the teams are in opposite conferences. Further, the two WNBA Finals teams dropped four Commissioner’s Cup conference games combined.

The NBA Cup played its hand well by announcing the Cup Final would be played in Las Vegas. “Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli, narrated and starred in a “Ocean’s Eleven”-esque commercial in which Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Trae Young, Julius Randle, Darius Garland, Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard plotted elaborate heist attempts to claim the NBA Cup. All attempts were futile because, “The only way to get the NBA Cup is to win it,” Imperioli says.

It would be great to see the league lean into this level or marketing, including naming the Cup Final location in advance. The WNBA currently holds the championship game at the arena of the team with the best record in Cup play. Bumping the tournament to earlier in the regular season may help boost early viewership numbers.

However, the new schedule gives fans a shorter window to plan travel, and that may impact the ability for the WNBA to get anywhere close to the record 17,000 fans in attendance for Game 3 of the 2023 Finals.

The 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup will be held Tuesday, June 25 at the home arena of the higher seed. Although Prime Video has aired the Commissioner’s Cup Championship in the past, game time and broadcast details have not yet been announced.

After announcing changes to the Commissioner’s Cup format on Monday morning, the WNBA released the full 2024 regular-season schedule in the afternoon. Opening night is set for May 14 and will feature four games, including the defending champion Las Vegas Aces hosting the Phoenix Mercury.

For a second consecutive season, teams will play 40 games, which marked a record-high last season. Despite the 2024 Olympics, which will require a mid-season break, the All-Star game will take place, as will the Commissioner’s Cup, as the league looks to capitalize on a record-setting and thrilling 2023 campaign.

“We eagerly anticipate tipping off the 2024 season and building on the success of last season, our most-watched in 21 years and a record-setter for social media engagement, digital consumption, All-Star merchandise sales and sports betting,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a press release. “Free agency and the 2024 WNBA Draft are sure to create excitement, and the new format to the Commissioner’s Cup will provide fans a great opportunity to see the best players in the world compete for bragging rights and prize money early in the season.”

Ahead of all the action, here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 WNBA schedule:

When does the season begin?
Opening night is set for May 14, which is slightly earlier than last season to help accomodate the Olympic break and the extended 40-game schedule. The four games will feature last season’s finalists as well as three of the four lottery picks. Here’s a look at the full opening night slate:

New York Liberty at Washington Mystics, 7 p.m. ET
Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun, 8 p.m. ET
Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces, 10 p.m. ET
Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm, 10 p.m. ET
Note: Broadcast information has not yet been released for any games.

Will there be an All-Star Game?
Yes, the 2024 All-Star Game is set for July 20 in Phoenix, with the Mercury hosting for the third time in franchise history. This is notable because for much of the league’s history, the All-Star Game has been cancelled during Olympic years. Furthermore, the event will be a chance for a new-look Mercury franchise to reintroduce itself to the basketball world.

“As I’ve said from Day 1, we are going to make Phoenix one of the leading basketball destinations in the world, and the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is going to be an unbelievable experience,” Mat Ishbia, who bought the Mercury and Phoenix Suns earlier this year, said in July when the All-Star announcement was made.

“As the women’s game continues to grow and reach new heights, we are going to put on an All-Star weekend that will accelerate that growth and elevate the league. I want to thank the WNBA and the entire Phoenix community for coming together to help bring the WNBA All-Star Game to the Valley. I couldn’t be more excited to show the world what Phoenix basketball is all about.”

Further details regarding All-Star weekend have not yet been announced. The league has largely been using a captain’s picks format in recent years, though it’s worth noting that in 2021, the last time there was an All-Star Game during an Olympic year, the game was played between Team USA and Team WNBA.

What about the Commissioner’s Cup?
The WNBA debuted its in-season competition, the Commissioner’s Cup, back in 2021, but it has failed to capture anyone’s attention in the way the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament did. That none of the championship games have been competitive certainly hasn’t helped the WNBA’s cause, but neither has the drawn-out, byzantine format.

As a result, two big changes are coming to the cup this season:

Each team will play five Commissioner’s Cup games — down from 10 — against each of its in-conference rivals
All five games will be played in a two-week period from June 1-13. Previously, games were spread out over multiple months
“The newly designed, concentrated structure for this in-season tournament adds an increased sense of urgency and excitement,” Engelbert stated in a press release.

All Commissioner’s Cup games will still count as regular-season games, as has been the case, and qualifying for the championship remains the same: The team from each conference with the best record in cup games gets in. Furthermore, a $500,000 prize pool remains up for grabs.

The championship will be played on June 25 and hosted by the team with the best record in cup games.

What’s going to happen when the Olympics roll around?
The vast majority of basketball leagues around the world, both men and women, start in the fall and end in the spring, which is why major international tournaments are scheduled for the summer. The WNBA, of course, plays in the summer, and as such routinely has to alter its schedule to give players the opportunity to represent their countries.

That is no different this season. With the 2024 Olympics set to take place in Paris from July 26-Aug. 11, the WNBA will pause for a mid-season break from July 21-Aug. 14. Team USA will be competing for a record eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Play will resume on Aug. 15 with a three-game slate.

Are there any other key dates to know?
Jan. 21: Teams can begin negotiating with free agents
Feb. 1: Teams can officially sign players to new contracts
April 15: 2024 WNBA Draft
April 28: Training camps open
May 5: Preseason games begin
Aug. 8: Trade deadline
Sept. 19: Regular season ends

NEW YORK — The WNBA announced Wednesday the six athletes participating in the 2024 Player Marketing Agreement. That list includes the Mystics’ Shakira Austin, the Sun’s Bri Jones, the Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale, the Fever’s Aliyah Boston, the Storm’s Jewell Loyd and the Dream’s Rhyne Howard.

The league will provide those players the opportunity to increase their earnings by serving as brand ambassadors for the WNBA and its partners. Ogunbowale, who was part of last year’s cohort, is eager to grow her business network.

The PMAs, as they are known, were ratified in the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Per the collective bargaining agreement, the WNBA must contribute $1 million to the program annually. Each individual player can make up to $250,000 each.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has championed more sponsorship opportunities for players and the league itself. Firstly, this is part of the commissioner’s plan to make the league a more viable business. Secondly — and inextricably linked to the first reason — the PMAs meet the mission of making players household names.

Last year, Ogunbowale acted alongside Mark Cuban in a State Farm commercial. This year, she and the rest of the cohort engaged with league brands such as Google, Skims and haircare company Mielle during their two-day photo shoot and media day in New York City.

“It’s a huge opportunity,” Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd told CBS Sports on Monday. “I want to just get more awareness, obviously, more resources, things like that, but I want to be myself. … I think it’s a really good experiences for people to understand who I am and what makes me, me.”

For Shakira Austin, part of who she is includes a deep appreciation for fashion and design.

“Being a tall girl, ya know [6-foot-5] going on [6-foot-6], it’s hard to find jeans and honestly something creative and stylish,” the Washington Mystics forward told CBS Sports on Wednesday.

Austin found herself using her free time while attending the University of Mississippi to sew her own outfits that would equally fit her tall frame and fashion sense. She was noticeably in her element for the photo shoot and hopes one day she and other athletes will be dressed in her designs.

While Austin might have a specific career path in mind, other players see the 2024 PMA cohort as the opportunity to learn what might pique their interest on the other side of their professional careers.

“The biggest thing for me is just going to continue to have an open mind about everything,” 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston told CBS Sports on Monday. ” … I’m gonna be able to experience different brands, different stuff, and different activities. It’s like go in there, be happy, enjoy going with an open mind, and see what comes out of it. So, that’s my plan!”

Makeup, hair, personality and more ✨

Here’s a BTS look at our day spent with stars from across the W! pic.twitter.com/39qLQA4Zya

— WNBA (@WNBA) January 11, 2024
Boston’s open mind has already led to opportunities as a sports analyst. During college, Boston’s AAU coach helped the ex-South Carolina star realize she already has a lot of basketball knowledge and enjoys the camera to boot.

“When he started saying that, I actually realized how much time I constantly put into basketball, whether that’s playing a game, whether that’s watching games, whether that’s watching film,” Boston said, adding she watched film to prepare for a broadcast during her flight to New York. “I was like, ‘You know what, this is definitely what I want to do.’ And so to be able to tap into this now, so early my career, literally one year out of college, is really special.”

Like Boston, Jones and Howard are keeping close to the game in the offseason. Jones returned once again to her alma mater of Maryland as part of Brenda Frese’s coaching staff. Howard, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year, joined the University of Florida staff this season.

“For myself, personally, just being able to have my foot in the door and make connections early, rather than later,” Howard told CBS Sports about why she’s coaching now. Howard says she’s enjoying coaching and has gained a better appreciation for her Atlanta Dream staff, especially when it comes to preparing film.

“Our coaches are always like, ‘Oh, we watch hours and hours of film.’ They’re not lying,” Howard said with a laugh. “They are really giving us a blueprint, everything we need to win a game they’re giving us, and we just have to be more appreciative that.”

Additionally, participating in the PMA cohort gives Howard and the other participants a chance to elevate their respective WNBA teams. Jones is used to the passionate women’s basketball fans in The Nutmeg State of Connecticut. She want to bring that to fans outside of Uncasville.

“I hope [this opportunity] brings more fans and an awareness to the Connecticut Sun. We’ve been really good at basketball these past few years,” said Jones, who has appeared in the WNBA Playoffs each of the last seven seasons, including four semifinals appearances and two WNBA Finals runs.

Jones and the Sun will play a regular-season game at TD Garden in Boston on Aug. 20. It will be the first WNBA game held in Boston, a city that is currently without a women’s professional basketball team.

The date, the time, and now— the opponent 🤝

🆚 @LASparks
🗓Tuesday, August 20th
⏰7PM
📍@tdgarden

Sign up for presale access— presale begins at 10AM TOMORROW: https://t.co/8yqg7I3Ri5 pic.twitter.com/2gmHuwg6gt

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) December 18, 2023
“It’s [going to be] exciting to play in an arena such as with a loyal fanbase,” Jones said. “To be able to take our loyal fanbase and merge those two is going to be something that will help grow Connecticut Sun basketball.”

Overall, the PMA cohorts are a win-win for players and the league. It’s a tangible way to increase access to additional compensation until WNBA base salaries can match what we see in other professional basketball leagues, be it the NBA domestically or women’s leagues overseas. The valuation of players, their teams and the WNBA overall is measured by its ability to profit off player personalities. That includes everything from commercials to brand deals, along with increased player appearances at both community-based events as well as larger scale events with sports crossover appeal.

However, at least for now, the player opportunities facilitated through the league are limited. The 2024 cohort includes only six players, or about 4% of the player pool. An additional 45 players have team marketing deals, but again, the pool is limited. At the moment, there are limited to opportunities to earn additional compensation as facilitated by the league or one of the 12 WNBA teams.

The WNBA’s 2023 single-season scoring champion doesn’t see pressure in that opportunity.

“I just see as part of who I am,” Loyd said. “It’s a huge opportunity. I want to just get more awareness, obviously. More resources, things like that. But I want to be myself through-and-through.”

There was a time where the WNBA didn’t empower players to be their authentic selves when representing the league. Although there is always more work to get done, this PMA cohort is up to the task and grateful for the opportunities awaiting them in the future.

It’s almost time for WNBA free agency to begin again. The annual signing period will get underway on Jan. 21, when teams are allowed to begin negotiating with players. Nothing can be made official until the moratorium comes to an end on Feb. 1, however, and any team caught breaking those rules will be subject to a fine.

For much of the league’s history, free agency essentially didn’t exist, at least in any meaningful sense. That all changed with the new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in 2020 and gave players far more power and control over their careers. Now, once again, we have a star-studded free agent class.

Ahead of all the action, here’s a look at the 10 best free agents on the market this winter. For a full list, go here.

1. Breanna Stewart
   2022 team: New York Liberty
   Status: Cored
   No surprise here. Though Stewart’s shooting abandoned her in the playoffs, she is the reigning MVP and coming off one of the best seasons of her career. Her 23 points per game were a career-high and the 10th-best scoring season of all time, and she became the fourth player ever to average at least 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists. A versatile force on both sides of the ball, Stewart is, at worst, a top-two player in the league. The Liberty have wisely used the core designation on Stewart, giving them exclusive negotiating rights.
2. Jonquel Jones
   2022 team: New York Liberty
   Status: Unrestricted
   Jones got off to a slow start in 2023 as she worked her way back from a foot injury and adjusted to a new role and new surroundings in New York. Once she did, she reminded everyone why she’s a former MVP. She averaged a double-double after the All-Star break and then set a new WNBA record for the most consecutive double-doubles in playoff history with eight. Jones was by far the team’s best player in the postseason, and the Liberty should be eager to bring her back. They have already cored Stewart, though, so they may face competition on Jones.
3. Skylar Diggins-Smith
   2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
   Status: Unrestricted
   Diggins-Smith ended up sitting out all of last season after giving birth to her second child, and she accused the Mercury of preventing her from using team facilities or resources while she was on maternity leave. It’s no surprise, then, that she’ll be looking for a new team this winter. Whoever ends up signing Diggins-Smith will be getting one of the best, and most competitive, guards in the league. She made All-WNBA First Team in both 2021 and 2022, and is more than capable of adjusting her game toward scoring or playmaking depending on the situation.
4. Satou Sabally
   2022 team: Dallas Wings
   Status: Restricted (qualifying offer extended)
   Sabally’s talent and potential have never been in doubt, but her ability to stay healthy has been. Last season, she finally put everything together and took the leap to stardom. In the process, she won Most Improved Player and led the Wings to their first playoff series win since 2009. Sabally’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make her a unique talent. In 2023, she joined Candace Parker as the only players in league history to average at least 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game over the course of a season. As a restricted free agent, the Wings will have the chance to match any offer she receives, and as such she’ll almost certainly be back in Dallas.
5. Nneka Ogwumike
   2022 team: Los Angeles Sparks
   Status: Unrestricted
   Ogwumike was back to her best last season, delivering her finest summer since she won MVP back in 2016. Alas, she was not able to drag the Sparks into the playoffs almost single-handedly, but it was not for a want of effort. The only other player to finish in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, steals and field goal percentage was Finals MVP A’ja Wilson. It would be a surprise to see Ogwumike leave the only franchise she has ever known, but other teams will surely be interested in one of the league’s most effective frontcourt stars.
6. Brittney Griner
   2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
   Status: Unrestricted
   Griner’s return to action last summer after missing all of 2022 while wrongfully detained in Russia was one of the most inspiring sports stories of the year. Just playing again was impressive enough, but Griner was an All-Star starter and finished second in field goal percentage and third in blocks. There’s reason to believe she’ll be even better in 2024 with a full and normal offseason to rejuvenate her body and mind. While Griner is an unrestricted free agent, a return to the Mercury, the only team she’s ever known, seems likely.
7. Elena Delle Donne
   2022 team: Washington Mystics
   Status: Cored
   The two-time MVP was once again hampered by injuries last season, though the “good” news was that it was ankle issues and not her back. When she was on the floor, she was as efficient as ever, narrowly missing out on another 50/40/90 season, but did not make quite her usual impact in other areas of the game. A report from The Next earlier this month indicated Delle Donne was likely to leave the Mystics, but the team has used the core designation on her to gain exclusive negotiating rights. At the very least, the Mystics will now be able to sign-and-trade her if she makes it clear she doesn’t want to stay.
8. Brionna Jones
   2022 team: Connecticut Sun
   Status: Unrestricted
   Jones’ 2023 season came to an unfortunate end in June when she tore her Achilles tendon, and it’s still unclear when she’ll be back on the court. Despite the injury, she’ll have no shortage of suitors who are willing to play the long game with the All-Star center. Ever since her breakout campaign in the bubble in 2020, Jones has established herself as an elite low-post scorer and rebounder capable of starting or coming off the bench. Prior to getting hurt last season, she was averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds on 57.1% shooting for the Sun.
9. DeWanna Bonner
   2022 team: Connecticut Sun
   Status: Unrestricted
   Bonner’s longevity and durability are becoming the stuff of legend. The 36-year-old veteran did not miss a single game last season while still playing over 30 minutes a night. She also had her best scoring season since 2020 by averaging 17.4 points per game, the 14th best mark in the league. While efficiency has never been her calling card, Bonner’s ability to create her own shot from anywhere on the floor is a valuable skill, and she remains a tough, versatile defender. Bonner is unrestricted, but it would be a shock if she actually left the Sun and her fianceé, Alyssa Thomas.
10. Candace Parker
    2022 team: Las Vegas Aces
    Status: Unrestricted
    Parker’s future remains in doubt, as she’s openly discussed retirement for a number of years and was limited to 18 games last season due to a broken foot. Parker said in the fall she’d only return in 2024 if she’s fully healthy, and there’s been no word since then. If she does decide to play, every team would be interested in signing her. Even well past her prime, she is still an impactful player thanks to her unique combination of skill, size and IQ. Off the floor, her experience and leadership is invaluable in the locker room.

The long WNBA offseason is about to heat up, with free agency set to begin later this month. Teams will be allowed to start speaking with players on Jan. 21, though no deals can officially be signed until Feb. 1. Between now and then, there figures to be plenty of interesting speculation.

For much of the league’s history, free agency didn’t matter all that much. Key players rarely became free agents due to the length of contracts and the number of times a franchise could use the core designation. That all changed with the new collective bargaining agreement in 2020. Now, free agency is a key aspect of the calendar, just like any other league.

That’s no different this year, with a number of superstars set to hit the market, including five former MVPs: Breanna Stewart (2018, 2023), Jonquel Jones (2021), Elena Delle Donne (2015, 2019), Nneka Ogwumike (2016) and Candace Parker (2008, 2013). And that doesn’t include the likes of Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner and Satou Sabally.

One way or another, the league is going to shift this winter. Ahead of all the action and intrigue, here’s everything you need to know:

When does free agency start?
Teams can start talking to free agents on Jan. 21, but nothing can officially be signed until Feb. 1. Those rules will always be skirted to some extent, but teams caught breaking them will be punished under the league’s tampering rules. The Seattle Storm were fined in 2022 for jumping the gun on Sue Bird’s re-signing.

How does WNBA free agency work?
WNBA free agency largely operates just like the NBA. There is a moratorium period where teams can speak to players but not offically sign anything, and free agents are grouped into different classifications that dictate how both they and teams can operate. The two main groups are unrestricted free agents, who can speak to and sign with any team they want, and restricted free agents, who can speak to and sign with any team they want, but can have that offer matched by their prior team.

The WNBA also has a reserved category, which is for players who hit free agency with fewer than three years of service. Often, these are veterans who entered the league later in their career, but they can also be younger players who, for whatever reason, were not on a typical rookie-scale contract. The prior team has exclusive negotiating rights with said players.

Furthermore, in rare instances players’ contracts can expire while they are suspended. When this happens, players are technically found to be “withholding service,” according to the CBA, and are listed as “suspended — contract expired.” In practice, these players are treated much like reserved players, though the prior team does not have to extend a qualifying offer.

Finally, there is the core designation, which is most analogous to the NFL’s franchise tag. If a team uses the core designation on a player, they gain exclusive negotiating rights with them, even if that player was set to be an unrestricted free agent. Teams must use this machination wisely, however, as each player is only allowed to be “cored” two times in their career as of 2024.