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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.