Minneapolis – Cheryl Reeve, currently the head coach and general manager of the Minnesota Lynx, has significant experience with the Detroit Shock, having helped the team win two WNBA championships as an assistant coach, and later served as their final general manager before the franchise ceased operations and relocated to Tulsa. She also spent time with the Charlotte and Cleveland teams early in her career. Reeve expressed hope that both Detroit and Cleveland have gained valuable lessons from their initial experiences, anticipating a more committed approach moving forward, while acknowledging the league’s growth hasn’t reached its full potential yet.
Recent expansion announcements have stirred mixed feelings among players, who appreciate the league’s growth but worry about the commitment of some ownership groups who may not fully support players’ interests. Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever highlighted concerns about whether the league can sufficiently care for current players amid expansion and questioned the long-term stability of the sport. These concerns extend into ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, where players remain dissatisfied with the league’s proposals, describing them as disappointing. The league plans to hold discussions during the All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, with Commissioner Kathy Engelbert signaling a readiness for bigger growth moves despite timing challenges tied to current CBA talks.
Expanding the league by six teams over six years will affect the regular season schedule, which currently caps at 44 games, up from 32 in 2021. This increase offers financial gains but raises concerns about travel, player workload, and maintaining roster sizes that support player health and safety. Players want co-signed charter travel provisions and are vocal about issues like packed schedules and priorities that impact team management. Minnesota Lynx guard Bridget Carleton compared the WNBA’s schedule to the NBA’s, noting the WNBA’s smaller rosters and absence of developmental affiliates like the NBA’s G-League.
The league may also revisit the conference system, which was discarded a decade ago in favor of a playoff format featuring the two best teams overall. With more teams, reinstating conferences could build rivalries and improve scheduling, though geographic imbalances present challenges. Phil Cook, WNBA’s chief marketing officer, emphasized that the league is moving towards promoting itself as a legitimate sports league with heightened rivalries and stronger team identities.
Regarding expansion drafts, the current CBA outlines procedures allowing new teams to choose players from existing teams but excludes most free agents. Future drafts will continue annually, coinciding with ongoing CBA negotiations that players hope to influence. The introduction of new teams is staggered to avoid diluting competitive quality, a lesson learned from the rapid expansions in early league history.
Sustained growth hinges on committed ownership groups investing adequately in their teams. Players advocate for improved training facilities and accommodations to avoid the WNBA being treated as a secondary concern within NBA ownership structures. Reeve emphasizes the importance of maximizing revenue through independent sponsorship efforts rather than relying on shared resources with NBA teams and cautions against overshadowing women’s opportunities by men’s sports priorities.
Fan Take: This news is pivotal for WNBA fans because it signals ambitious league growth that could bring more excitement and opportunities but also underscores the need for sustainable support and fair treatment of players. How the league navigates expansion, scheduling, and player negotiations will shape the future competitiveness and visibility of women’s basketball.
