Sports news
#WNBA #eyes #overseas #game #free #agency #boom">WNBA eyes first overseas game in 2027 amid free agency boom As the WNBA races through a landmark free agency period, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is already looking beyond North America.
Speaking before Monday’s draft, Engelbert said the league is targeting its first game overseas in 2027, either as an exhibition or regular-season fixture. The WNBA expanded to Toronto this season, its first franchise outside the United States.
“We’re heavily looking at that,” Engelbert said. “Obviously this year we have the FIBA World Cup. Next year we expect that we’ll do something outside of North America as a true global game.”
The league welcomed its 2026 draft class days after a historic free agency window opened, featuring its first million-dollar contracts.
“I’m pretty emotional seeing 23 million-dollar contracts signed only two days into free agency,” Engelbert said. “Now these players can build real generational wealth.”
Engelbert brushed aside questions about her future.
“I do crack up, everyone’s focused on me and you should be focused on the hundreds and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself,” she said.
“I wonder if you would ask that of a man?”
She added she was “thrilled with the trajectory, growth and was really looking forward to the next few years.”
The Board of Governors is yet to approve the proposed sale of the Connecticut Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. Engelbert said details around a potential move to Houston would be addressed later.
The league is also finalising its new collective bargaining agreement, estimated at 400-500 pages, featuring record salary increases, housing benefits, 401(k) contributions and support for former players.
A state-of-the-game task force has also been set up, including a focus on officiating.
“You’ll see some changes around physicality this year,” she said.
Training camps open Sunday, with the season tipping off May 8.
Published on Apr 15, 2026
As the WNBA races through a landmark free agency period, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is already…
Sports news
#WNBA #expansion #explained #teams #timelines #means">WNBA expansion explained: New teams, timelines and what it means
The WNBA on Thursday formally approved expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
The move confirms the three previously announced markets will join the league on staggered timelines. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030, taking the total number of teams to 18.
The league had 13 teams as recently as 2025.
Less than a week ago, the WNBA’s two newest franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, conducted their expansion draft.
“Great demand for WNBA franchises,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last June while announcing the league’s growth plans. “There was huge demand. Really proud of what my team has done. Looking forward to future conversations as the league continues to grow.”
The announcement comes amid a busy period for the league. Free agency opens on Saturday, with the collegiate draft scheduled for Monday.
The WNBA also recently resolved its labour negotiations, announcing on March 20 a seven-year collective bargaining agreement in partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
The deal, which runs through the 2032 season, includes a revenue-sharing structure that raises the average salary to $583,000 and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, with more than $1 billion allocated to salaries and benefits over its duration.
“We love this game enough to push for what it can become, not just for ourselves, but for those who built this league and those who will carry it forward,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
The WNBA on Thursday formally approved expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
The move confirms the three previously announced markets will join the league on staggered timelines. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030, taking the total number of teams to 18.
The league had 13 teams as recently as 2025.
Less than a week ago, the WNBA’s two newest franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, conducted their expansion draft.
“Great demand for WNBA franchises,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last June while announcing the league’s growth plans. “There was huge demand. Really proud of what my team has done. Looking forward to future conversations as the league continues to grow.”
The announcement comes amid a busy period for the league. Free agency opens on Saturday, with the collegiate draft scheduled for Monday.
The WNBA also recently resolved its labour negotiations, announcing on March 20 a seven-year collective bargaining agreement in partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
The deal, which runs through the 2032 season, includes a revenue-sharing structure that raises the average salary to $583,000 and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, with more than $1 billion allocated to salaries and benefits over its duration.
“We love this game enough to push for what it can become, not just for ourselves, but for those who built this league and those who will carry it forward,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
The WNBA on Thursday formally approved expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.The move confirms…