WNBA confirms rapid 46-day offseason schedule ahead of new campaign

The WNBA has confirmed a condensed 46-day offseason schedule featuring an expansion draft, free agency and a college draft before the new campaign begins on 8 May.

The previous collective bargaining agreement officially expired in October, leading to an intense period of marathon negotiations to secure a new deal for the sport.

More than 100 out-of-contract athletes, including former Most Valuable Player award winners A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, must now decide their futures in a severely compressed window.

Commissioner Cathy Englebert stated that despite the lengthy administrative delays, the previously announced opening date remains entirely unaffected.

Expansion franchises prepare for selection

Training camps are scheduled to open on 19 April, leaving teams scrambling to finalise their respective rosters in record time.

A major component of the upcoming frenzy is a two-team expansion draft designed to populate the incoming Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire franchises.

This crucial draft is slated for 6 April, although exact procedural rules have yet to be officially communicated to front office executives.

Existing organisations are expected to be permitted to protect five players, allowing the Canadian and Oregon-based newcomers to select exclusively from the remaining unprotected pool.

Historic free agency period looms

Navigating the expansion process will be heavily complicated by the sheer volume of available talent.

The vast majority of the league’s stars will enter unrestricted free agency this spring, potentially limiting the number of contracted players available for the new franchises to acquire.

Free agency is set to commence immediately following the expansion draft on 7 April.

This rapid succession of events, described by stakeholders as a transformational period, will fundamentally redefine the landscape of North America’s premier women’s basketball competition.