The WNBA is celebrating a milestone year as it tips off its 30th season. With record salaries, expansion teams, and fresh faces on the sidelines, excitement is building across the league as fans prepare for a historic summer of basketball. Yankee Scores reports.
Million‑Dollar Paydays
A groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement has transformed player earnings. For the first time, the WNBA boasts million‑dollar contracts, with stars like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Kelsey Mitchell earning supermax deals worth $1.4 million. In total, 31 players will make at least $1 million this season, while the salary cap has jumped to $7 million and minimum salaries now sit at $270,000.
Coaching Carousel
Five teams enter the season with new leadership. The New York Liberty made headlines by replacing Sandy Brondello with former Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco, inheriting a roster fresh off its first championship. Brondello now leads the expansion Toronto Tempo, while Alex Sarama takes charge of Portland, Sonia Raman moves to Seattle, and longtime South Florida coach Jose Fernandez joins Dallas.
Expansion Teams Arrive
The league has grown to 15 franchises with the addition of the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.
Toronto boasts an experienced backcourt featuring Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, while Portland opted for a youthful, international roster. Top draft pick Iyana Martín Carrión will miss the season as she prepares for the World Cup with Spain, but expectations remain high for the Fire’s long‑term future.
Stars Returning from Injury
Caitlin Clark is back healthy after missing most of last season, while Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton returns to the Liberty following knee surgery. Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot continues her ACL recovery, and Collier, last year’s MVP runner‑up, will rejoin Minnesota later this summer after ankle surgery.
