WNBA begins 30th season as Toronto and Portland expansion teams debut
The WNBA begins its historic 30th season this week with the debut of two new expansion franchises in Toronto and Portland, taking the rapidly growing league to 15 teams under a newly agreed collective bargaining agreement.
The expanded 44-game regular season will see the Toronto Tempo make their franchise debut against the Washington Mystics on Friday.
Returning professional women’s basketball to a historic original market, the Portland Fire will then open their inaugural campaign on Saturday against the Chicago Sky.
The two new arrivals join the Golden State franchise, who entered the competition last year, to complete a rapid period of expansion for the sport.
Aces and Liberty lead title race
While the newcomers build their respective rosters, the established powerhouses remain locked in a familiar battle for the championship.
The defending champion Las Vegas Aces remain the benchmark after securing their third title in four seasons.
Head coach Becky Hammon can once again rely on reigning Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson, alongside the experienced backcourt duo of Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray.
However, the New York Liberty enter the season as strong favourites after making significant roster upgrades during the offseason.
The addition of standout forward Satou Sabally strengthens an already formidable core featuring Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones.
Fever rise as Clark impact grows
The Indiana Fever have firmly established themselves as genuine title contenders following a transformative period for the franchise.
A phenomenal impact from standout guard Caitlin Clark has elevated the team’s national profile and transformed them into a major broadcast draw.
Alongside the second-year sensation, the powerful interior presence of Aliyah Boston and the elite scoring ability of Kelsey Mitchell give Indiana a formidable multi-faceted attack.
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Lynx will lean heavily on the exceptional two-way abilities of Napheesa Collier to challenge the leading trio.
The Phoenix Mercury, who fell to the Aces in last season’s Finals, bring vital championship experience, while the Atlanta Dream offer significant intrigue through star wings Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard.
Stability secured under new agreement
Off the court, the league begins the year with renewed financial and structural stability.
A new seven-year collective bargaining agreement, which runs through until 2032, has successfully removed any lingering labour uncertainty.
This stable platform arrives at a crucial moment as the wider women’s basketball ecosystem becomes increasingly competitive.
Players now benefit from lucrative domestic offseason opportunities through alternative leagues such as the 3-on-3 Unrivalled format, co-founded by Stewart and Collier, and the 5-on-5 Athletes Unlimited competition.
While these secondary competitions add pressure to the sporting calendar, the immediate focus remains firmly on the quest for the ultimate prize in women’s basketball.